JOSEPH P. GENERA

1960 - 2016

GENERA, JOSEPH P. On Tuesday, March 8, 2016, Joseph P. Genera, lifetime resident of Guilford. passed away at Yale New Haven Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Beloved husband of Kathleen Bryant Genera. Loving father of Jennifer Percopo and grandfather of Adriana, Brianna and Annabella. Joseph was born in Winsted, CT, on Oct. 30, 1960, son of Joseph L. and Catherine Marino Genera of Guilford. Brother of Catherine Carter, Susan Wider and Cynthia Pulhalski. Joseph graduated from Guilford High School, where his interest in theater and singing first developed and would reemerge later in life. Soon after, he worked at his Father’s Auto Body garage in North Branford. A spinal injury caused by a car falling off a lift started his lifelong and tireless work in disability advocacy. He started many successful businesses, including a garage customizing vans for people with disabilities. Later, Joseph returned to school ultimately graduating from North Carolina State University in 1992. In North Carolina, he was able to combine his lifelong love of horses with his passion for helping people with disabilities, and ran a therapeutic riding stable teaching horseback riding lessons to adults and children with disabilities. Relocating to New York thereafter, he continued his advocacy at Action Toward Independence in Orange County. He developed a passion for skiing, and continued his love of horses with two of his own, until returning to his hometown. Here he began Team Musclecar, whose motto was “Teaching Youth one Hot Rod at a time,” teaching at risk youths the valuable skill of restoring cars. He belonged to many car clubs in Connecticut, founding the CT chapter of the National Pontiac Club in his spare time and helped found the Charter Oak Firebirds Club. Later, he added a successful business leasing cars from his collection to film production companies. In 2010, he wrote Arrested Youth: A touching and tragic true life love story, Joseph spent every day of his life working to better others’ lives. The flame for theater and singing he possessed earlier in his life had never died out however, and he returned to acting performing in movies, numerous Television shows and documentaries, and especially enjoyed performing in many theater productions. He is a baritone singer, and performed at the Met. In 2015, He was the emcee for the NYC Disability Pride Parade. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. George Catholic Church, 33 Whitfield St., Guilford, on Tuesday, March 15, at 10 AM. Burial will follow in St. George Cemetery, Hubbard Rd., Guilford. Friends may call on Monday, March 14 from 5 – 8 p.m. at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St., Guilford. Memorial contributions may be made to High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, 36 Town Woods Rd. Old Lyme, CT 06371. To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit: www.GuilfordFuneralHome.com