Arthur P. Gennari Sr.

01/09/2007

Arthur P. Gennari Sr., 87, of 40 Albany Road died Tuesday at home. Mr. Gennari also was a 22-year winter resident of Jupiter, Fla. Born in West Stockbridge on May 2, 1919, son of Victor and Maria Bernardini Gennari, he attended local schools and was a 1936 graduate of the former Williams High School. He attended trade school in Schenectady, N.Y., where he learned the machinist's trade. Mr. Gennari worked for a year at American Locomotive in Schenectady before moving to Pittsfield, where he worked for General Electric Co., becoming one of the lead machinists and plant floor supervisor. In 1950, he co-founded Balgen Machine Co. in West Stockbridge, where he developed and patented a new process used to refine rock wool. Mr. Gennari also bought and sold real estate in the area. He was one of the original owners and developers of the former Berkshire Truck Plaza in West Stockbridge. He also started the Mill Pond Trailer Park and Gennari's Chalet Inn in Great Barrington. He was a communicant of St. Patrick's Church in West Stockbridge. He also was a member of the Italian American Club; the Knights of Columbus, Mount Everett Council; the West Stockbridge American Legion; and the Cove Bowling League. He enjoyed dancing, playing the harmonica and restoring old items. He leaves his wife, the former Jean Ballard, whom he married Aug. 5, 1950, in St. Patrick's Church. He also leaves two sons, Arthur Paul Gennari Jr. of Housatonic and Christopher Gennari of Great Barrington; three daughters, Diane Lehnert of Jupiter, Fla., Charlene Gennari of West Lebanon, N.Y., and Pamela Bartlett of West Stockbridge; a sister, Norma Bertocci of Pittsfield; 16 grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. He was predeceased by five brothers, Vasco, Gino, Gilindo, Angelo and John; and a sister, Helena. FUNERAL NOTICE -- Funeral services for Arthur P. Gennari Sr., who died Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2007, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Patrick's Church with a Liturgy of Christian Burial celebrated by the Rev. C.J. Waitkus, pastor. Burial will follow in St. Patrick's Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at BIRCHES-ROY FUNERAL HOME. In lieu of flowers, family requests that expressions of sympathy in Arthur's memory may be made to the St. Patrick's Church Building Fund or to HospiceCare in the Berkshires in care of the funeral home, 33 South St., Great Barrington, MA 01230-1815. Mr. Gennari also leaves two daughters-in-law, Lois Gennari and Darla Gennari; two sons-in-law, Dan Lehnert and Douglas Bartlett; and 16 grandchildren, Daniel, Nicholas and Brittany Lehnert; Travis, Dustin and Alivia Bartlett; Arthur, Liza, Nora, Claire, Gabriel, Christopher Jr., Andrew, Cameron and Elizabeth Gennari; and Sheena Lamy; and a great-granddaughter, Abigail Lamy.

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