Long-time Lebanon businessman and resident, Joseph Thomas Gennaro, passed away peacefully at his Plainfield home on Apr. 25, 2019.

Born in St. Louis, MO, on Jan. 6, 1929, to the late Vincent and Marie Gennaro, Joe grew up in St. Louis and graduated from Southwest High School. He attended Olivet Nazarene College in Kankakee, IL, where he met his future wife. On June 1, 1952, he married Betty Parr at the Frankfort First Church of the Nazarene, which he attended for over 50 years.

Joe and Betty celebrated their 66 ^th wedding anniversary in 2018. They lived in Lebanon for over 50 years, before moving to Plainfield in 2015. Betty passed away in Nov. of 2018.

Beginning in 1957, Joe joined Harry Jones as an owner of an insurance business on the square, which eventually became Gennaro and Lamar in 1987. After over 40 years as an owner, Joe sold the business and retired in 1998. Following retirement, he worked for his son, Ron, at his son's business, Premium Surface Fabrication, in the front office.

Growing up in St. Louis, Joe was a huge St. Louis Cardinals fan. As a youngster, he would attend as many games as possible in person. In later years, he kept up with his favorite team on the radio, cable, and the internet. He surrounded himself with a wide variety of Cardinals memorabilia and frequently sported Cardinals T-shirts.

Joe was a veteran of the Korean War, serving for a year and a half in Zweibrucken, Germany in the postal service unit.

"Boppa" to his seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, Joe also enjoyed reading, traveling with Betty, watching M*A*S*H and Forensic Files with his grandson Connor, playing golf in younger years , telling jokes, working crossword puzzles, listening to Big Band music (especially Glenn Miller), and eating good food that was bad for him. Joe was a loyal member of the Lebanon Rotary Club for over 40 years and never missed a meeting for over 35 years. He also became a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow while still living in Lebanon. Joe was also a member of the Oak Hill Cemetery Board, president of the Chamber of Commerce, a member of Jaycees, Treasurer of the Frankfort First Church of the Nazarene board, a Sunday School teacher, and in charge of the Men's Breakfasts at church for many years.

Survivors include his children; son, Ron Gennaro and his wife Cheryl of Carmel; daughters Mindy Harris and husband Jerry of Lebanon and Michelle Burress and husband Scott of Plainfield, whom he lived with for the past two years; grandchildren Jeremy (Sarah) Harris of Lebanon, Dr. Julie (AJ) Harris-Heston of Lubbock, TX, Jill Harris of Lebanon, Erin (Mike) Bollman of Tipton, Greg Gennaro of Carmel, and Mason and Connor Burress of Plainfield; and great-grandchildren Lydia, Amelia, and Elaine Harris; Alex and Timothy Heston; and Caedmon Bollman; brother John Gennaro of Santa Paula, California; and his beloved 13-year-old Dachshund Zoe. In addition to his parents and wife, Joe was preceded in death by his brother Vincent, his sister Betty Ward; and grandson Joshua Harris.

In honor of Joe's love of animals and his final wishes, donations can be made to the Hendricks County Humane Society or the Humane Society for Boone County.

Visitation will be at Strawmyer & Drury Mortuary, 2400 N. Lebanon St., Lebanon, on Fri., May 3, from 5 to 8 p.m.