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George Alfred Genereux

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George Genereux Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Feb. 8, 2009.

Services were held this past week for George Genereux who passed away in Monterey, California on January 31, 2009. Born in Quincy, Massachusetts, he was 80 years old. After graduating from high school, Mr. Genereux joined the Navy and served his country in WWII and received the WWII Victory Medal. After serving in the Navy, he attended and graduated from Harvard University. In 1952, George enlisted in the US Air Force, served for 10 years and earned the rank of Captain. While in the Air Force, he attended Syracuse University to study Russian. Mr. Genereux was fluent in English, French, German, Russian, Italian, and Latin. This background in language served him well as he worked as a cryptanalyst and intelligence communication officer for the Air Force. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy in 1968 from UCLA and then taught Russian Literature at UC Davis for many years. When he retired he became a Travel Agent and then in 1988, he moved to Santa Cruz at the suggestion and invitation of Dave Dawson.

George worked at Harbor Marine Inc. which was formerly located at the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor until his health failed in 2004. In the mid 1990's George became a parishioner of St. Lawrence Orthodox Christian Church in Felton and was baptized. George was passionate about his faith, his church, and supporting the local teenagers. He loved to attend the St. Lawrence Academy Rugby games and he supported them and the St. Lawrence Academy financially. He provided the team with sports uniforms among other things and was known to take the entire team out to hamburgers and French fries after games. George felt led to invite these young men on a pilgrimage to an out of state Monastery. He did this several times and lovingly paid for their travel expenses. These trips were the highlight of George's later years of life.

He will be remembered most by his friends and church community as a loving intelligent man whose thirst for learning was second only to his love for people, especially youth. Mr. Genereux had a passion for classical music, opera, geography, and exquisite food. He was a connoisseur of German beer and loved red wine. He is survived by his brother, Robert Genereux of Boston Massachusetts, and many loving extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Harriet.

Services were held at St. Lawrence Orthodox Christian Church in Felton on February 2, 2009. Committal services and burial followed at Felton District Cemetery. Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel were entrusted with the arrangements. Any kind acts of charity may be made in George's name to:

St. Lawrence Academy

6184 Highway 9

Felton, California 95018

Or you can make a secure donation online at

https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=dcf4ad

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Dorene Dawson

February 11, 2009

George impacted my life in ways that none other could have. He was my housemate for the first six years of my marriage to my husband Dave Dawson. George loved classical music and opera and I am positive that he is the reason that my first three children love music.

My daughter Deanna (14) is a classical violinist and vocalist and my son Carl (16) loves all types of music. He is not shy about the fact that he loves to sing classics and jazz. He has played some bass, drums, trumpet, and sits down at the piano daily. George used to sit with the children once a week (Friday Night at the Opera) and watch operas. He read the subtitles out loud to them. I remember one night, the opera was over and Deanna was in tears. They had just finished The Valkyrie. She was only 4 years old and was moved by the tragedy in the end. George would play classical music and create games for the children to teach them about the symphony. He would encourage them to listen carefully to pick out and instrument like the oboe or flute. George also taught the children French and geography. He often would bring down the globe or a map and tell stories to the children.

John (12) was just a baby when George moved out but George continued to share opera and music with the kids. John would sit on Georges lap and watch opera until his little eyes could not stay open anymore. He often would fall asleep to opera or classical music. John still remembers some of the music that George exposed him to.

Living with George was full of surprises like the day he was cooking rotten meat in the kitchen for his dog Sebby! Oh, the smell was so bad. George loved my children like they were his own and brought music and laughter, games and education to our growing family.

I will miss you George. Your memory will live forever. I can't wait to see you again with Christ in heaven. We will listen to the symphony of angels in all of it's splendor together!