Born 10/16/1938
Colchester, Vermont
Died 4/15/2023
St. George, Vermont
Details of Services
Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday April 25, 2023 from 4:00 – 7:00 pm at St. Jude Parish Hall in Hinesburg. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday April 26, 2023 at 10:30 am at St. Jude Catholic Church, 10759 Route 116, Hinesburg. Burial will follow at 2:30 pm in the family lot in Resurrection Park in Burlington. Donations in Joseph’s memory may be made to St. Jude Catholic Church, P.O. Box 69, Hinesburg, VT 05461 or to a charity of one’s choice. Please visit awrfh.com to share your memories and condolences.
Joseph Raymond Genest, Sr. 84 passed away at his home in St. George from a long illness on Saturday, April 15, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. Joe was born on October 16, 1938 in Colchester Vermont, he was the eldest of 5 children. Son of Robert and Lena (Shattie) Genest and the only one born in the hospital. Joe grew up in the Fortpick of Winooski and graduated from Cathedral High School Class of 1956. After graduation Joe joined the Navy. He then married Rosalie Gonyo on May 28, 1960 at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Burlington. They stayed in Winooski and started their family of four children before moving to Montpelier, Vt where Joe owned and operated Ron’s Sub Shop.
After selling Ron’s Sub Shop he went onto work for various construction companies working on many commercial buildings and bridges throughout Vermont before retiring from Pizzagalli Construction in year 2000. Joe was most proud of designing and building his home in St. George in 1984 with its many angles.
One of his favorite getaways was Camp Clos ENuf in Bakersfield (which he also built with his family). Many gatherings were held there but the most memorable one was July 4, 2022 when all his children spent the weekend there at his request.
He was a devoted Red Sox Fan ,NFL Patriots and enjoyed watching Nascar especially Dale Earnhardt #3.
Joe and Rosalie started camping in 1960 in a tent and would travel to different areas throughout Vermont almost every weekend. They joined NAFCA where he held many different offices in Red Clover and Wilderness. He would prepare a spaghetti dinner for about 100 campers on a Coleman stove. After retirement they traveled across the US before settling in Haines City becoming a snowbird. He enjoyed playing the BoomBa with the WildBoomers and being a part of many parades.
He is survived by his loving wife, Rosalie of 62 years, his two sons Joe, Jr and wife Lori of Monkton, Erik of St. George, two daughters Tamara Walker and husband Tom of Bristol and Jodi Snelling and husband Randy of Vergennes. Two sisters Sandra LaBonte and Victoria Gonyea both of Florida. Two sisters in law Pearl Whitehouse of Burlington and Ruth Shelley of Florida. Nine grandchildren Amanda, Thomas, Nicole, Joseph III, Kahlie, Jayden, Christopher, Matthew and Justin. and eight great grandchildren. Many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his two brothers Robert, Jr and James.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Dr. Pamela Dawson and nurse Renee and Dr. Mark Plante for all the care and attention to Joe over the years.
Joe was a man of very few words but you almost always knew what he was thinking. He loved his family dearly and they were always his first priority. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him.