Francis P. Genalo

Francis P. Genalo

Formerly of Ames

Francis P. Genalo, formerly of Ames, IA, passed away peacefully on January 14, 2013 after a life long struggle with Friedreich's Ataxia, a degenerative neuromuscular disease. Frank was born on February 2, 1972. He was a graduate of Ames High School, a National Merit Scholar, a Des Moines Register Academic All-State recipient, and an honors graduate of Harvey Mudd College. He was a resident of St. Paul, Minnesota, where he was an active member of his church and community, a member of SOYA, a Young Adult Catholic organization, and an originating board member for the Twin Cities Division of Young Life Capernaum, a Christian organization that works with young people with disabilities. An avid baseball fan, he wrote a blog for the Minnesota Twins.

Frank influenced and touched the lives of everyone he met with his strength, courage, tenacity, humor, spirituality, intelligence, generosity and integrity. He went on trips that able-bodied people wouldn't undertake, such as visiting his friend in Guatemala, or getting an audience with the Pope. Thanks to all Frank's wonderful friends and family who helped make his life, despite the infirmities, a joy, but a special thanks to Kirk Foote and Mark Stoick who never saw the wheelchair as a disability - but just a fact of life. Also a special thanks to Frank's personal attendants who allowed him to maintain his independence throughout his life.

Frank is survived by his mother Toni Genalo (Tom Burns) of Mesa, Arizona, and his father Lawrence Genalo (Susan) of Elkhart, IA, his brothers Lawrence Genalo (Gayle) of Chandler, AZ, and Daniel Genalo of Brooklyn, NY, his niece and goddaughter Nicole, nephew Jacob and niece Tara (Kenneth), of Chandler, AZ. A funeral mass will be held on February 2, 10 a.m. at St. Olaf Catholic Church, 215 South 8th Street, Minneapolis, and a memorial celebration of his life will be held on February 3 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Pioneer Room of the Memorial Union on the Iowa State University campus. Many tributes to Frank's life can be found on Facebook (Frank Genalo Photo's and Stories). Donations in Frank's name can be made to Young Life Capernaum of Minneapolis, 8700 West 36th Street, #109, St. Louis Park, MN 55426 or the Muscular Dystrophy Association.