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Francis Gencarella Obituary
Born in Pawcatuck on Aug. 26, 1933, he was the son of the late Joseph and Rose (Longo) Gencarella.
Francis graduated from the La Salle Academy and went on to receive his bachelor's degree from Providence College and then to the Massachusetts College of Optometry, now the New England School of Optometry.
Dr. Gencarella started his private practice in Westerly in 1961 and on May 13, 1991, he was a founding partner of Coastal Eye Associates in Westerly. He had a long and distinguished career providing quality eye care to families in the Westerly and surrounding community until his retirement in 2010.
Active in many civic organizations, he was past-president of The Westerly Rotary Club and received the Rotary Paul Harris Fellow. He also belonged to the Westerly Elks Club, the Calabrese Club and the Knights of Columbus.
A devoted family man, he enjoyed traveling to Europe and wintering in Florida with his family. He also was a fine wine enthusiast and an avid golfer, playing in many local golf leagues.
Besides his beloved wife, he will be sadly missed by his four children; Gina Lynch and her husband, Michael, of Westerly; Julie Vilandre and her husband, Charles, of North Attleboro, Mass.; Joseph Gencarella and his wife, Pamela, of East Greenwich; and Ann Gencarella, of Boston and Newport. He was the loving grandfather of Andrew, Alexandra, Danica, Marissa, Philip and Matthew Lynch; Christopher, Nicholas and Vanessa Vilandre; and Steven, Emily and Abigail Gencarella.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday at 10 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church, 111 High St., Westerly. There is no cortege from the funeral home. Burial will follow in St. Sebastian Cemetery, Westerly. His family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday from 4-8 p.m. at the Buckler-Johnston Funeral Home, 121 Main St., Westerly.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society, PO Box 556, Westerly, RI; to the Immaculate Conception Church, 111 High St. Westerly, RI 02891; or St. Michael Church, 60 Liberty St., Pawcatuck, CT 06379.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Francis Gencarella
Ann Marie (Freitas) Messenger
June 20, 2013
Dear Barbara and family: We will always remember Fran's sense of humor and the way he talked so lovingly about his family. I remember having a problem with my eye and he saw me on a Sunday morning. He was a good man and I know he will be missed by all of you. May he rest in peace.
June 11, 2013
Gina and Mike,
Sorry about your loss, a great guy, always with a smile on his face. He had a great knack for throwing digs at me every time I went into the office.
He's in a better place than we are!
Mary and Nick Stenhouse
Jean Fiore
June 7, 2013
To the Gencarella Family, So sorry to learn of Dr. Gencarella's passing. What a truly good man he was. I have fond memories of him as my eye doctor and have always held him in high esteem. Please accept my condolences, especially Mrs. Gencarella, at this difficult time. I know how hard it is to lose someone SOO special.
patty logan
June 7, 2013
Miss you alit dr g ! The donut shop is not the same with out you any more and all the conversations we had.went to thecemetary to say good by to you broje down and cried.loveyoudr g miss you ala lot.
patty logan
June 7, 2013
Miss you lots dr g! Went to the cemetary to say my final goodby to you. Brokedown and cried. Love you dr g! The donut shop isn, t the same with out you miss our conversations we had at the donut shop.
Mary Shabunia
June 6, 2013
Gina and Michael I am so sorry for the loss of your dad. My god bring you peace and keep the happy memories with you.
Gina Gervasini
June 6, 2013
Dear Gina, Michael and family,
So sorry to hear of your dear dad's passing. He was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed by our community. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
The Lariviere Family
June 4, 2013
Our deepest sympathy is with the family at this difficult time. We will miss Dr. G.
Joan Barrett Hayes
June 4, 2013
Barb--I read about your loss and I want you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
June 3, 2013
Gina and Michael I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for peace during this difficult time.
Gerry Giardino
June 3, 2013
To the Gencarella family - I am so sorry for your loss. When we lived in Westerly, Dr.G was our families eye doctor. He left a lasting impression with his great sense of humor. He was definately one of a kind.
David and Renee Burbine & Family
June 3, 2013
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. He will be greatly missed.
Linda Celico
June 3, 2013
I remember Dr. "Francis" as my very first eye doctor and what a wonderful, warm, man. His smile made you happy. My parents also knew him well. My prayers for comfort go out to his family. Feel the peace of knowing he is with the one and only Father.
PATTY LOGAN
June 3, 2013
to the gencarella familys, so sorry to have heard about dr g! he was my favorite eye dr for many yrs. i enjoyed his conversations about his trips with the familys. i also enjoyed our many conversations during the day when he was at the donut down town. it was so great to see him and chat with him. he is missed at coastal eye associates when he retired.he is truely an an inspiration to all who knew loved him so much and to all who came in contact with him and became friends with. he was everyones very favorite dr and very good friend.he was a very special friend to everyone. he will be very sorely missed.i will miss our daily chats at the donut shop alot. RIP DR G!" WE ALL LOVE YOU SO MUCH AND WE WILL ALL MISS YOU VERY MUCH.THE DONUT SHOP WONT BE THE SAME WITH OUT YOU ANY MORE. I WILL MISS ALL OUR DAILY CHATS WE HAD WHEN YOU WERE THEIR.
joe shea
June 3, 2013
I remember franny I grew up on smith street great man
Debbie Pinkhover
June 3, 2013
God Bless Your Family At this Time-
Our condolences as Dr. G goes on to be with His Heavenly Father. May he and all of you be at Peace. He was a wonderful man!
Always, Peter, Deb, Ally, Nick, and Brad Pinkhover
carole ornberg
June 3, 2013
what a beautiful tribute last night to a beautiful man....i will miss his wonderful smile and how he would light up when he talked about his grandchildren. thank you for always taking such good care of me....love, carole giorn ornberg
carole ornberg
June 3, 2013
to the gencarella family....what a beautiful tribute to doctor g. last night...he was a amazing man and he kept his sense of humor throughout his ordeal....we were all blessed to know him and i will miss his wonderful warm smile...i love you dr. g...fondly, carole giorno ornberg
Shirley Wright
June 2, 2013
Barb and Family- He is at Peace and you can rest knowing that you did every thing you could for him. Now it is your time to find peace.
You will all be in my thoughts and prayers.
Love, Shirley Wright
Fr. John Peterson, O.P.
June 2, 2013
Dear Barbara, Gina & Michael,
Ann, Julie & Charles, Joe & Pamela,
Andrew & Alexandra, Danica & Marissa.
Philip & Matthew,
No words of mine can mean much now. Your loss is far too great and much too close. But for our Dominican community at Providence College, in behalf of our alumni and alumnae, and in my own name, I do want to make known to you and to your family, our deepest sympathy. At Mass, in prayer, "Dr. Fran" is with us... so are you!
At a time such as this, nothing anyone says makes muh sense. (Perhaps better than most, I know that.) Bu it is my hope that the consoling thought of a Trappist monk might help.
Thomas Merton wrote, death is where the hills end, and the stars begin!
The "hills" of Francis are over now. It's his time to be with the "stars" and their Source!
May the deep, inner Peace that thought can induce, we with you and your family...epecially now.
May Mary, the temple in whom God's Son became a priest, keep you near, in her care.
With His Love and all mine,
EILEEN & RAY CASTAGNA
June 2, 2013
BARBARA & FAMILY, WE ARE SO SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF A GREAT MAN. ARE HEARTS ARE WITH YOU WE JUST LOVE THAT MAN..
Valerie Marchand
June 1, 2013
Gina & the Gencarella family,
Your father was and amazing man, I loved him! Please accept our heart felt condolences. I loved having him as my eye doctor. Anytime I was home from California he would always fit me in for an appointment. We would share many stories about the kids during my appointments. He would light up telling the stories about each and every child then it was all about the grandchildren. I enjoyed speaking Italian with him during my exams and learning about the villa in Italy and he was taking the family on a trip. He enjoyed sharing the many stories about the food in Italy and how much he also loved my mom's homemade cheese. Many will sadly miss him.
Lois Alice
June 1, 2013
Barbara & family.
It is with a heavy heart that I convey to you my deepest sympathy for your loss. Dr. Fran was a great man & I know I, as will many many others, will miss him greatly. Barbara, may God give you & your family the strength to endure this most difficult time. Dr. Fran, as well as your entire family, are in the thoughts & prayers of so many, myself included. May God welcome him into His kingdom where he is ever eternal.
Lois Alice
Linda and Sal Costanza
June 1, 2013
We are sad that Fran has passed away....lots of memories of our cousin.....He was always very special to our mom, his Aunt Winnie...prayers and love for all....
June 1, 2013
Dear Barbara and family,
Please accept our most heartful sympathies for your loss...our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time!
With deepest sympathy
Gary,Erin and Derek Beyer
Linda Rudgers
June 1, 2013
My Deepest Sympathy to Mike,Gina and Family.
Praying that the wonderful memories will be a comfort to you all.
Bobby Rose
June 1, 2013
Franny,
I bet no one called You that since Garden St. I remember ou and my cousin Lois Sylvia playing duets on the Accordians. You were better than Welk.
Wayne & Rosemary Palumbo
June 1, 2013
Our sincere condolences on the passing of Dr. G. a truly wonderful man. Our prayers will be with you and your family during this very difficult time.
Ann & Jim Celico
June 1, 2013
Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the family at this dark hour.
June 1, 2013
Sadden to hear of the passing of your husband,father and grandfather. He was such a nice man. Always friendly and joking. Reminded me of my Dad.
With Sympathy
Patty (Allen)Michaud and family
Mike Stenhouse
June 1, 2013
Pam and Joe - godspeed from Wendy and me. In our prayers, and I hope you can celebrate a wonderful life.
Susan McGuire
June 1, 2013
Sincere sympathy to Dr G's family. He was my Dr for many years. Such a nice man!
June 1, 2013
Please know you all are in our thoughts and prayers. He was a wonderful man and will be missed by so many. With Deepest Sympathy, Jim & Katie Behan
Donald and Pat Jeffrey
June 1, 2013
Saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. G. He touched the hearts of all who had the pleasure to know him.
patricia shafer logan
May 31, 2013
to the gencarella familys so sorry to hear about dr g,s passing. he was my favorite eye dr for many yrs. i loved this man so much. had coffee with him alot at bess eaton when he came into the donut shop every once in a while. it was so great to have coffee with him.i sure loved dr g so much. it was always so great to see him at the donut shop.he will be sadly missed by all. his patient patty logan shafer
May 31, 2013
Barbara and family, our deepest sympathy to all. Dr G was a wonderful person. He will be sadly missed. God has a new angel!!
Michelle & Neal Natzel (and the girls)
May 31, 2013
joe and family please except our deepest synpathy.thomas and elaine ricci and family
Al & Patti Morrone
May 31, 2013
Dear Barbara and Family,
Our deepest sympathy to all of you on the passing of Fran. I've known him all my life as our parents always visited each other. He was a gentle, caring family man and I know he will be missed by all.
With sympathy,
Jim & Marie Congdon
May 31, 2013
He's probably up there having some of his mother's meatballs & raviolis. RIP my cousin.
George Yerger
May 31, 2013
Mrs. G and Family,
I am so sad to hear of Dr. G's passing. He will be missed at the beach.. he was such a wonderful guy.
Nancy & Bob Turco
May 31, 2013
Our sincere sympathy to all the family for your loss of Francis.
He always had a ready smile.
Nancy Ligouri
May 31, 2013
Sending heartfelt sympathy and love on the passing of Fran to his whole family.
May 31, 2013
Gina,Michael & family. we are very sorry to hear of your loss.our thoughts & prayers are with you.
jeff & kate butler & family
Fay Piccolo
May 31, 2013
Dr. Gencarella was not my eye doctor but he was there for anyone that needed him in an emergency. I remember when my son broke his glasses ( he blamed me) on a saturday morning, he was going to his first karate tournament and needed those glasses. I called and explained to Dr. G what happened, he saidto me "Why did you break his glasses if you knew he needed them" I must have turned every shade of red in the rainbow, as the twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face he replaced those glasses that early morning. I never forgoten him for being the most generous man and the most stree relief I needed that day. My son went to that tournament and won first place in his age group that was four years old at the time. always a smile on his face and a warm greeting when you saw him RIP Dr. Gencarella. Your family was blessed to have you. Fay Piccolo
Elaine Laurenzo
May 31, 2013
Barbara & Family,
My heart is heavy with sadness at the passing of Fran. He was
my Optometrist for many, many years, and,eventually, became
a good friend.
Please know that you will remain in our hearts and prayers
during this very sad and difficult time.
Rest in peace, Fran!
Elaine and Al Laurenzo
Elaine Laurenzo
May 31, 2013
Barbara & Family.
We are so sorry to hear of Fran's passing. He was my Optometrist and friend for many, many years and I always enjoyed our conversations.
Our prayers will be with you and your family during this very difficult and sad time.......may Fran rest in peace. He
suffered enough!
Elaine & Al Laurenzo
Rudolf Schmidt
May 31, 2013
He was a real good guy!
Michael Dipollino
May 31, 2013
My sincere condolences on the passing of Dr. Fran a truly wonderful man. May God have mercy on his soul and may he rest in peace with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
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