Joseph J. Gencarelli

FUNERAL HOME

Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home - Westerly

59 Spruce Street

Westerly, Rhode Island

Joseph Gencarelli Obituary

WESTERLY - Joseph J. Gencarelli, 86, of Bellevue Avenue, Westerly, passed away peacefully at the Westerly Hospital on Thursday, May 15, 2025.

Born in Westerly, he was the son of the late James Gencarelli from Calabria, Italy and Beatrice Serra from Westerly, RI.

Joe worked as a Heavy Equipment Operator for James Romanella & Sons for over 20 years and employed with Tilcon for over 10 years. He was a communicant of Immaculate Conception Church in Westerly and a US Army veteran. Joe was a longtime member of the YMCA and the Operating Engineers Local 478.

Joe was a family man. He loved his children and their families. He was loyal to his close friends meeting them every day at the local coffee shop. He was an avid reader of history and current events. He was a masterful pool player and enjoyed the music of Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra. In his day, he loved dancing and spending time with friends. He was especially fond of his son in law John, whom he considered his son.

He will be dearly missed by his two daughters, Virginia Abernathy of Stonington, CT, and Kristen Gencarelli-Chapel and husband John of Charlestown, RI; two sisters, Barbara Gencarelli of Oregon and Catherine Gencarelli of Rhode Island and four cherished grandchildren, Mikaela Abernathy, John Chapel, Jr., Meredith Chapel, and Abigail Chapel. Joe was predeceased by his two brothers, James and Eddie Gencarelli, and sister Carolyn Gencarelli.

Visiting hours are omitted. Committal Service and burial will be private and held at the convenience of the family. A Memorial Mass will be held at a future date and time. Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, Westerly, oversees the arrangements. For online condolences go to www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Westerly Sun on May 20, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Gencarelli

Sponsored by Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home - Westerly.

10 Entries

Salvatore Vlaun

May 31, 2025

Joe I will miss seeing you always working in your yard maintaining its beauty. Rest in peace my friend and neighbor.

Lt. Ret'd Byron Brown WPD

May 23, 2025

Gencarelli Family,
Joe and I go back a few years and sports played a big part in our life.
We were members of the WHS class of "1957". .Joe weight was about 160 pounds over the Summer vacation he returned to school in the Fall he put on weight and was 190 pounds. I asked Joe what's going on and he said he knew the football team needed a center and he wanted to play that position. Our friendship continued after high school and we met at the YMCA for noontime basketball.
I recall Joe stealing the ball from the other team member and dribbled to the other teams basket and made the shot. I said Joe what are you doing. Joe answer was our team was so far ahead he felt bad for the other team.
Joe and I played with much younger player into our early sixtys. At our class yearly luncheon Joe always sat at the table with the ladys with a big smile.
Joe lived behind the high school but often came to class late when asked why Joe said i had to wait for all the school buses to pass by. Joe winked and said if I came to class early I would have to sit up front. by coming in late he could sit in the back row. Joe was full of jokes and had and answer for everyone. Joe will be missed by his classmates at WHS. Rest in peace Joe you were a good friend and a hard worker. Where we are now Joe was. Where Joe is now we shall be.

1957 WHS CLASSMATE

Carolyn G. Longolucco

May 21, 2025

To Joe's family,
Joe and I were members of the Westerly High School Class of '57. After graduation, whenever a luncheon get-together was formed, you could be sure that one of the attendees would be Joe Gencarelli. He was friendly, thoughtful, and happy to be a part of one of life's celebrations. He was a great book reader; he said he would drive over to Stonington Point and read, glancing now and then at the of the beauty of the sea. He was always a gentleman, always polite, and a believer in keeping healthy by playing basketball at the YMCA. He reveled in the fact that he was much older than the youngsters who competed with him on the basketball court, yet he could keep up with them. I will miss his smile and friendliness when we continue having our class luncheons. But he will be with us in the joyous spirit that only Joe could generate!

Gordon L Lawless Jr

May 21, 2025

My prayers and condolences go out to Joe's family, he was a kind person. I remember when he worked for my uncle and cousin's company (Roman Ella & Son's). R. I. P.

MICHAEL DIPOLLINO

May 21, 2025

God's Blessings be with you my old friend, many good times working together!!! May God have Mercy on your Soul and may you rest in the Peace of Christ!

Mike Sheldon

May 20, 2025

So sad to hear of Joe's passing. Long time morning coffee member at Honey Dews with Joe, Mike Gardella, Johnny Maine and the rest of the gang. Joe joins the other gang members who have passed Mike G, Joe Chan, Tommy Chan, and Don Montgomery. RIP guys ..as you form a new coffee club in heaven.

Domenic J.Nigrelli

May 20, 2025

Joe was a class act and very good people, I I learned a lot from him.

Jack Eldridge

May 20, 2025

Very sorry to hear this news. Grew up with Joe. Classmates through school. Great kid and great guy. My condolences to family, friends and classmates.

Jack Eldridge.

Ann Marie (Gingerelli) Messenger

May 20, 2025

I have known Joe through grammar and high school. He always attended our class luncheons and reunions. He was a great guy and fun to be around. May he rest in peace.

Domenic J. Nigrelli

May 20, 2025

Rest in peace Joseph, I worked with you at James romanella and Sons. Rest in peace.

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