Genaro Gencorelli, decorated WWII veteran, dies at 87

Genaro Gencorelli, of Rockville Centre, a past commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Malverne Post 1073 and former resident of Malverne, died on Jan. 5. He was 87.

Born and raised in Rosedale, Queens, Gencorelli enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943 and served as a Coxswain of the USS Mount Olympus AGC-8. He was stationed in the Pacific Theatre from 1945 to the end of the war, where he served through the invasions of Leyte, Luzon and the Philippines. Near the end of World War II, Gencorelli helped lead a naval convoy to the signing of the peace treaty with Japan in Tokyo Bay.

After serving his country overseas, Gencorelli received the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon with two stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars, the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, the World War II Victory Medal, the Navy Occupation Service Medal, the China Service Medal, the Philippine Defense and Independence Medals, the New York State Conspicuous Service Medal, the New York State Medal for Merit and the Combat Action Ribbon.

In 1950, Gencorelli married Lorraine Baird at St. Clare’s Church in Rosedale, where they settled and raised four children. He later worked as a carpenter for Local 7 of the Empire State Carpenters Union before retiring.

While living in Malverne for 16 years, Gencorelli devoted his time and energy to contributing to his community. He became an avid member of the VFW Post 1073, serving as its commander from 2002 to 2003. He also worked as an usher at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. In 2006, he moved to Rockville Centre.

“He was a very respectful and religious man, always with a smile and always very kind to anyone,” said Gencorelli’s daughter, Cheryl, who remembered him as a fun, hardworking person. “He was a great father who taught us to treat everyone with respect and kindness.”

He is survived by his wife, Lorraine, son Robert (Susan), three daughters Lorraine (Ronald) Genovese, Cheryl (Robert) Webb and Denise Gencorelli, and grandchildren Robert John, Christopher, Alyssa, Scott, Emily, Elizabeth and Andrew.

Funeral arrangements have been scheduled for this week — a viewing on Wednesday, Jan. 8 and Thursday, Jan. 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Flinch & Bruns Funeral Home in Lynbrook, and a funeral service on Friday, Jan. 10 at 10 a.m. at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre.