LACONIA --- Carl John Gennaro, 82, of Benton Drive, died on Friday, December 15, 2023 surrounded by the love of his family.
Carl was born on November 8, 1941, in Bronx, NY, to the late Mildred (Casabona) and John Gennaro.
Carl, a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many, is survived by his wife of 58 years, Rosemarie; children, John Gennaro and his wife Jean, of Cape Neddick, ME, Christine Mello and her husband Shawn, of Laconia, NH, Michael Gennaro, and his wife Melissa, of Derry, NH, and Matthew Gennaro and his wife Shannon, of Eliot, ME; and 10 grandchildren, who were the love of his life: Devon, Jacob, Hannah, Joshua, Noah, Reagan, Gracie, Lilly, Sam, and Ben. Carl is also survived by his beloved cousins Richard Rinaldi and Marie Marra, as well as many nieces and nephews. Carl is predeceased by his parents and his only brother, James “Jimmy” John Gennaro, of Fairfax, VA, who passed away just 13 days prior.
Carl graduated from Evander Childs High School in 1959. After, he worked various jobs and served in the Army National Guard. Carl and Rosemarie met at a Bowling League in Bronx, NY, and were married in 1965. They started their life together in New York, but as they began raising children, decided to relocate the family to New Hampshire, following in the footsteps of Carl’s cousin Richard. Soon thereafter, much of Carl and Rosemarie’s extended family relocated to New England, where they raised families and created memories together for the next several decades.
Carl loved reading historical fiction, playing cards with family, golfing with Richard, Jimmy and his sons, watching and coaching youth sports, and was a very talented watercolor artist. He was also a proud and hardworking businessman, purchasing and growing a very successful Pepperidge Farm franchise in the Lakes Region from 1974 until 2001. Through his business, Carl established lifelong relationships and friendships with people throughout the Lakes Region. His friendly and outgoing personality was also an asset when he later joined the sales team at Cantin Chevrolet, becoming one of their top salesmen before retiring permanently in 2008.
Carl was comfortable in any room and any conversation; his humor and wit put everyone around him at ease. His ten grandchildren were truly the light of his life, and he attended as many of their school and sporting events as he could. Carl was well-known in bleacher circles as a super fan with strong opinions, which he shared with anyone in earshot who cared to listen. Most importantly, he was an essential role model, a monument of hard work, responsibility, integrity, and loyalty. He taught his family how to be better husbands, fathers, brothers, sons, and daughters. He will be remembered as a strong and dedicated family man.
The Gennaro Family would like to thank the many caregivers who have provided support and assistance during Carl’s illness, especially the staff at The Birches at Concord, NH, Elliot Hospital, and the Granite VNA Hospice House.
Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. in the Carriage House at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant
Street, Laconia, NH.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, December 28, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Andre Bessette Parish – Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Avenue, Laconia, NH.
For those who wish, donations may be made in Carl’s memory to Granite VNA Hospice House, 240 Pleasant St., Concord NH 03301.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, Laconia, NH, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.