Stephen James Gennuso

A Memorial Service will be celebrated Saturday, June 27, 2015, at 2:00 pm at Fountain Memorial Funeral Home in Lafayette for Stephen James Gennuso, 80, who passed away peacefully on Friday, June 19, 2015, at his home, after a dignified, courageous and hard-fought battle against cancer. Visitation will be observed on Saturday, June 27, 2015, from 10:00 am until the time of services at Fountain Memorial Funeral Home in Lafayette. Reverend Weldon Moak will be singing "How Great Thou Art" and "My Way". Jodi Bollich will be singing "Ava Maria" and "Amazing Grace". The poem "Accept Me" written by Larry S. Chengges, will be read by Eddie J. Story. Eulogists will be Eddie J. Story, Johnny Jallad and Clement Story, III. Inurnment will follow in Fountain Memorial Cemetery in Lafayette, beside his beloved son, Steven Joel Gennuso. Reverend Weldon Moak will officiate. Stephen was born July 20, 1934, in Washington, LA, and resided at his home in Lafayette since 1962. He had a passion for life, becoming an accomplished chef and having won numerous accolades for his culinary skills. Stephen was an outstanding dresser with no inhibition to design or color of attire. Any wardrobe looked the better being worn by him. He was an avid car enthusiast, a dedicated and celebrated patron of Mardi Gras and a highly accomplished and successful businessman. Stephen was owner of Professional Bonding Services, Vice-President of United Bonding Service, a National General Agent for Capital Indemnity Corporation, a National and State Managing Agent for Accredited Surety and Casualty, a National General Agent for Summit Insurance Company and a member of The Lafayette Juvenile Association. He was active in the Surety business for over 50 years and served as CFO of United Bonding which had offices in 48 states. United was sold in 1972 and then Stephen, Hank Snow and Floyd Mintz formed Accredited Surety and Casualty, a Florida insurance company, with offices throughout the United States. After the deaths of Hank and Floyd, Stephen sold back his interest to the Snow family in 2008 and semi- retired. Stephen is survived by his sister, Beatrice 'Bea' Gennuso Pefferkorn and her husband, Dale of Opelousas; his brother, Salvador Gennuso and his wife, Jean of Baton Rouge; three nephews, Greg and Sandra Pefferkorn, Doug and Cindy Pefferkorn and Mike and Tammy Pefferkorn; four nieces, Jennifer Pefferkorn Castille and her husband, Rick, Phyliss Pefferkorn Dennis and her husband, Daniel, Lisa Pefferkorn Fontenot and her husband, Keith and Johanna Gennuso; numerous dear great-nieces and nephews and his trusted office manager of 26 years, Doris Suir of Lafayette. Along with Stephen's extended family, all who knew him were blessed to call him a friend and those who loved him are far better people for having done so. He was preceded in death by his parents, Santo and Johanna Messina Gennuso; his beloved son, Steven Joel Gennuso and his dear friends, Byron Legendre, Dr. Jack Gani and Jan Townsend Sgarrine Tritico- Davis. Pallbearers will be Sal Gennuso, Clement Story III, Hayes Pousson, Michael Pefferkorn, Rick Castille, Greg Pefferkorn, Doug Pefferkorn, Michael Gardner and Eddie J. Story. Honorary Bearers will be Johnny Jallad, Danny Kear, Samir Jallad and Roy Simon. The family wishes to thank the staff of MD Anderson Cancer Treatment Center in Houston, TX, the staff of Lafayette General Medical Center in Lafayette, LA and Hospice of Acadiana in Lafayette, LA for the compassionate care given to Stephen and his family. A special thank you is also extended to Dr. Bradly Chastant II, Dr. Jeff Thibodeaux, Dr. Scott Yerger and Iggy with the staff of Hospice of Acadiana. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Stephen J. Gennuso's name to M.D. Anderson Cancer Treatment Center in Houston TX, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, (713) 792-2121, mdanderson.org or Hospice of Acadiana in Lafayette, LA, 2600 Johnston Street Suite #200, Lafayette, LA 70503, (337) 232-1234, hospiceacadiana.com. Online obituary and guest book may be viewed at www.fountain memorialfuneralhome.com. Fountain Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery, 1010 Pandora St., (337) 981-7098 is in charge of arrangements.