Obituary of Benny Genovesi

Benny Genovesi, 95 passed away peacefully on January 31, at home with his loving family by his side. Born in Ripi, Italy, Benny immigrated to the United States in 1948 after World War II and settled in the Trenton, NJ area for the rest of his life. In 1950, he successfully started his own business known as Benny Genovesi Mason Contractor. In 1952, Benny met his lifelong partner of 65 years, Rose Pignataro, and they were soon married in Hackensack, NJ. Benny continued to grow his business alongside his wife, and in 1986 his son joined and it was renamed Benny Genovesi & Son Inc. They expanded the business to include the construction of large commercial and religious institutions. They spent countless years working for Princeton University, Educational Testing Service (ETS) and building numerous churches in the area such as the Immaculate Conception in Annandale, NJ, St. Maximilian-Kolbe in Toms River, NJ and the stone masonry at the Church of St. Ann in Lawrenceville, NJ. In 2007, Benny received an award from the Princeton Historical Society for his stone restoration work at the Woodrow Wilson House on Library Place in Princeton, NJ. Benny shared his trade experience with numerous young aspiring masons/builders who went on to run their own successful construction businesses throughout the years. He especially enjoyed working with his nephews Enrico Genovesi and Gennarino Nicolo as well as his cousin Rocco Genovesi. In addition to working, Benny enjoyed sharing his many childhood stories with his family and instilled the value of hard work and determination in his children and grandchildren. Benny and his wife loved to travel, always accompanied by close friends or their family. They especially enjoyed cruising and spent the winter months with friends and family in their Dania Beach, FL home for 40 years. Most importantly, Benny treasured his time with his family and always put their needs first. He loved his grandchildren and enjoyed going to their various school activities and sporting events throughout the years. He is predeceased by his parents Antonio and Rosaria Mancini Genovesi and siblings Louisa, Luigi, Samuel, Angelo, Bastiano, Augusto, Rocco and Rosa. He is survived by his son Anthony Genovesi and his wife Ellen; his daughter Margaret Bauer and husband Tyrone; his four grandchildren Paul and Lori Genovesi and Carl and Rose Bauer; sister and brother-in-law Felicia and Ken Monaco, as well as numerous multigenerational nieces and nephews. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday from 8 AM until 10 AM at Poulson & Van Hise Funeral Directors, 650 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM at the Church of St. Ann, 1253 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648. Live streaming of the mass is available at www.churchofsaintann.net by clicking the link “Live Stream”. Mask wearing, social distancing and building capacity will be in effect. Entombment in St. Mary’s Cemetery Mausoleum will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Benny’s memory to Kindred Hospice at 242 Old New Brunswick Rd Suite 140, Piscataway, NJ 08854 or to the American College of the Building Arts at 649 Meeting St. Charleston, Sc 29403 to continue the legacy of educating future stone masons and artisans.