Joel Gennosa

Joel A. Gennosa

(December 1, 1935 – January 21, 2023)

With the passing of Joel Gennosa, we remember his love of life and adventure. Joel grew up in Liberty, NY, with his parents Theresa and Baldasar Gennosa, and two sisters Joan and Anita.  He enjoyed the outdoors in upstate NY, riding his bicycle, playing baseball, and spending time with his siblings, cousins, and friends.  When he was seven, the family moved to Ridgewood Avenue in Brooklyn, where Joel made new friends and took up karate and boxing.  He was a Golden Gloves champion in his weight category at age 18.  Joel also developed a love of painting, which he continued to enjoy throughout his life.

After graduating high school, Joel joined the Air Force, serving in Saudi Arabia and Tripoli, and was honorably discharged after four years. At age 23 he joined his siblings and parents in Brentwood, NY and joined the IBEW Local #3 Electrical Workers Union, where he became a leader in the industry, mentoring apprentices as he taught courses at night after his workday.  He spent most of his career working outdoors in all weather, which was a testament to his resilience and positive attitude toward honest work.

Joel fell in love with Ann Loughlin, who lived on the next block in Brentwood with her mother and father, who also was a Local # 3 electrician.  They married in 1962 and moved to East Islip, NY, where they embraced life.  They attended jazz performances and plays in local venues and NYC, and they enjoyed family meals with their parents and the growing families of Joan and Joe Biondi, and Anita and Jimmy Gebbia.  They spent many weekends with their dear friends Phyllis and Joe Cuccinello ice skating on Argyle Lake in Babylon or competing in “Gennosa vs. Cuccinello” touch football games in Heckshire Park in East Islip. Soon they started their family with the birth of Edward in 1964.

In 1967, Joel and Ann moved to Bayport, where their family grew with the arrival of their daughters Kerry, Dierdre, and Jennifer.  Joel enjoyed spending time with his family, building a tree house in the back yard, going skiing in the winter and beaches in the summer, and caring for the many pets who graced their home.  Joel also found time to play in a jazz trio, playing drums and performing at local clubs and venues.  After 30 years of marriage, Ann’s passing brought Joel to his next chapter in life.  

With his retirement ahead of him, Joel moved to Florida after marrying Nancy Dundas, a friend of many years. Joel and Nancy enjoyed playing golf, tennis, croquet, and card games with new friends in their Florida home.  They spent their retirement traveling extensively throughout the United States and Europe. They took frequent cruises, dined out, and enjoyed the Florida weather for 24 years.

The last chapter of Joel’s life was spent in NY after Nancy’s passing in 2021.  He was able to spend some quality time with his children and grandchildren.  Joel joined the Brightview Senior Living community in Sayville where he quickly made new friendships with the residents and staff.  He took advantage of Bingo games and other activities like playing pool, creating artwork, dancing, and listening to live music.

Joel will be dearly missed by his children Edward and Betsy Gennosa and grandchildren Katherine and Dean; Deirdre and Doug Lange and grandchildren Dylan, Devan, and Declan; Jennifer and Vinny Guidi and grandchildren Leah, Lucia, and Vera; Kerry Trocchio and grandchildren Kayla, Brendon, Skylar, and Hunter; as well as his step-children Patricia (Jack), Timothy (Colleen), Kerry (Mark), Thomas (Stacy), Brian (Claudia), and Christann (John) and their children Sean, Brendan, Matthew, Christopher, Meghan, Lindsey, Erin, Jordan, Andew, Brendan, James, Madelyn, Shane, and McKenna.  Joel is also survived by his sister, Anita Gebbia, and his nieces and nephews Wayne (Deb), Joe (Linda), Jeannine (Gary), Lisa (George), James, and Christopher (Taleen), all of whom will remember Joel with great fondness and treasured memories.

There will be a wake service at the Raynor & D’Andrea Funeral Home at 245 Main Street in West Sayville on Monday, January 30th, from 6 – 8 PM.  Joel will be interred in the Calverton National Cemetery on Tuesday, January 31st at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Good Shepherd Hospice located at 200 Belle Terre Rd, Port Jefferson, NY 11777

Memorial Visitation- Monday January 30, 2023 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., at our West Sayville Funeral Home, 245 Main St.

Chapel Service- Monday January 30, 2023 at 8:00 p.m. at our West Sayville Funeral Home, 245 Main St.