Eugene R. “Gene” Genna

Eugene R. “Gene” Genna, 72, of (Black Moshannon) RD Philipsburg, died October 28, 2019, at Mount Nittany Medical Center, State College.

Gene was born in Vineland, New Jersey, on June 17, 1947, a son of Simone and Lillian (Cherniak) Genna, both of whom preceded him in death.

Gene was married on June 21, 1969, in Pittsburgh, to the former Kathrine “Pinky” Gilcher, who survives at home. He is also survived by three sons: Simone Genna and his wife, Leslie, of Sunnyvale, Calif., Jakob Genna and Heather Halsey, of Philipsburg and Geoffry Genna and his wife, Sherley, of Woodbridge, Va.; six granddaughters: Ilianna, Evelyn, Skyler, Rowan, Makayla and Kamaris Genna; three brothers: George Genna and his wife, Caroline, of Vineland, Thomas Genna and his wife, Patricia, of Barnegat Township, New Jersey and Simone Genna and his wife, Jennifer, of West Grove, Pa; and numerous other extended family members.

Gene was a graduate of Delsea Regional High School, Vineland, NJ; and a 1969 graduate of Penn State University. Gene was an accomplished wrestler throughout both his high school and collegiate careers.

After graduation from Penn State, Gene served with the US Navy during the Vietnam War era from December 1969 until his discharge in July 1972. His assignments included serving with the USS John Marshall as the Supply Officer.

Gene and his wife moved to Philipsburg in 1972. He was the owner and operator of Genna Distributing Company.

Gene was preceded in death by a sister, Irene McNally; and a brother, Edward Genna, in addition to his parents.

A celebration of life will be held for Gene on Saturday, November 9, 2019, beginning at 1 pm, at the Gearhartville Sportsmen’s Club, 36 Blue Spruce Rd., (Gearhartville) Philipsburg.

Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be made in Gene’s memory to the Moshannon Valley YMCA, P.O. Box 426, Philipsburg, Pa 16866.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 719 E. Spruce St., Philipsburg.