In Loving Memory of Antonio “Tony” Gennaro

Antonio “Tony” Gennaro, 81
On Thursday, August 20, 2015, Antonio (Tony) Gennaro lost a valiant battle
with cancer. Tony’s departure from this world occurred with the exact same
dignity and class as Tony lived his incredibly full and productive life. As
his friends and family know, Tony was a very private man. He chose to live
out his last two years without the burden of sympathy or sorrow. He chose
to persevere by hiding his pain with his famous Gennaro wit and humor. As
he was in all things in life, he was a role model of how to deal with a
devastating terminal disease.
In life Tony embodied the definition of a Renaissance man: He was a poet.
This talent is on display in the form of numerous beautiful poems he wrote
to his beloved Marjorie. He was an artist. He completed his last painting
only a few weeks before his passing. His art is proudly displayed in the
Gennaro home, and is an immense source of pride from those who loved him.
He was a musician. He played the harmonica, the clarinet, and the
saxophone. His talent in music was a source of joy for all of us fortunate
enough to participate with him. He was a writer as well as a TV and radio
host, having hosted three radio and three TV shows over the years. Tony
also authored and published two books-Nature’s Way and Wildlife Falsehoods.
Both books are currently being read and enjoyed by so many. He was a
philosopher. He was a contributor to the Portales News Tribune for two
years with a weekly inspirational series entitled, “Tony’s Tidbits.” Tony
was very proud of his Italian heritage. He continued mastering that
language until his last days. Tony took pride in his military service,
having obtained the rank of Captain in the U.S. Army. He was indeed a
patriot.
We should also remember that while Tony enjoyed and shared all of these
talents, in his “real job” he was one of the finest educators to ever grace
the campus of Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU). A brief listing of his
recognition includes: Presidents Faculty Award for Teaching and Research,
Presidents Faculty Award for Contributions to Science and Technology, and
the New Mexico Academy of Science Award for The Outstanding Science Teacher
in New Mexico. He might have been the most proud of his contributions to
the establishment of the Natural History Museum in Roosevelt Hall on the
campus of ENMU.
Out of respect for brevity, it is not possible to list all of Tony’s
achievements; however, above all else, he will be remembered by his
immediate family as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and
great grandfather. His earthly presence will be missed tremendously but
remembered fondly by Theresa Marney and her family, Carrie and Jeff
Scheufele and their family, Janelle and David Lawrence and their family,
Charles (Chuck) and Karen James and their family, Sheri and Jack Wood and
their family, and Shana and Danny Dictson and their family, and of course,
Marjorie, the love of Tony’s life.
There will be Memorial Service in celebration of Tony’s life on Saturday
August 29th at 2:00 PM at Wheeler Mortuary Chapel, Portales.
Marjorie and the family request, in lieu of flowers, contributions to the
Dr. Antonio Gennaro Endowed Scholarship Fund at ENMU. Please make checks
payable to ENMU Foundation, ENMU Station #8, Portales, NM 88130.
Arrangements are under the direction of Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
575-356-4455,wheelermortuary.net