Eugene Joseph Farrugia

Eugene Joseph Farrugia, 60, of Walterboro, SC, passed away Friday, April 16, 2021 at MUSC having lost his heroic fight against metastatic esophageal cancer. Eugene was born on November 20, 1960 on the Mediterranean island of Malta in the small village of Pieta, to the late Albert and Carmelina Farrugia of Paola, Malta. A beloved husband, father, friend and dedicated artisan and business owner. Eugene is survived by his wife, Julia Lee Farrugia; his son - Gene Darren Farrugia, and his wife Joy Marie Farrugia; his daughters - Lauren Farrugia and Sonja Farrugia; two sisters – Carmen Chetcuti, and Margaret Cachia, of Paola, Malta; three grandchildren; two nieces, two nephews, and countless cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Carmelina Farrugia.

Eugene was a chemist by nature and well-known for establishing Vetrostone USA, Inc. in the early 2000s – an eco-friendly family owned quartz manufacturing company located in the ACE Basin - Yemassee, SC. He moved from Paola, Malta, at the young age of 19 to New York City with only a few dollars in his pocket, a pair of pajamas in his suitcase, and a dream to “make something of himself”. Only a few short years later, at 23, he had a wife, a family on the way, and an established marble and granite restoration business in tow. Continuing in passionate stride, he uprooted his family and business to South Carolina 18 years later with yet another dream in mind – to manufacture his own stone. And, within a few years, he brought vision to life engineering a quartz product unlike any other with crushed oyster shells and sea glass - truly revolutionizing the quartz industry as we know it. 

He will be remembered by his passionate spirit, appetite for life and learning, wildly entertaining stories, unfailing work ethic and meticulous eye for detail. He had an unmistakable passion and inner vibrance, whether in cooking, listening to music and collecting records, dancing, carpentry, traveling, crafting model airplanes, and was a true cigar, bourbon and espresso afficionado. His memory and infectious smile will be cherished and greatly missed.  

Family and friends are invited to attend his memorial service on Friday, April 30, 2021 at 2pm at Sauls Funeral Home located at 90 Simmonsville Road, Bluffton, SC, 29910. 

To express condolences, please add a memory to Mr. Farrugia’s “Tribute Wall” page, on the Sauls Funeral Home (Bluffton, SC) website (www.saulsfh.com). 

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