ANTOINE WALLACE (WALLY) GENO May 18, 1927 – April 27, 2016
Antoine Wallace (Wally) Geno, 88, passed away on April 27, 2016 at his home in Gilbert, AZ.
Wally was born on May 18, 1927 in Florissant, Missouri to Wallace and Adell Geno. As a young man he attended Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, Palomar Junior College in San Marcos, CA and proudly served his country in the United States Navy.
Wally was a resident of Los Alamos, NM where he was a business owner, a 2 term county commissioner, and was employed with the County of Los Alamos until his retirement. Wally and his wife Joan retired to Green Valley, AZ where he remained active and enjoyed serving the community as part of the local Elks Lodge where he was Exalted Ruler in 1994 – 1995. The Geno’s had just recently moved to Gilbert, AZ to be closer to family.
Wally’s achievements in life were numerous and he will be remembered as a life long sports fan that enjoyed the outdoors, politics, storytelling, and entertaining. He was a BBQ grill master, incomparable party host, dear and loyal friend. He will forever be a shining example of a life well lived, always having appreciation for the small things in life; family time, friends, a good cigar, cookies dipped in scotch, and sweet potato pie.
Wally is survived by his devoted wife Joan; proud father to son Jon Geno (Carmel) of Lovettsville, VA and daughter Lesley Harelson (Don) of Los Alamos, NM; Joan’s daughters Janet Browning, (Gary) of Chandler, AZ, Kay Bygel (David) of Durango, CO and Jean Thomas of Albuquerque, NM; 16 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild; his extended family of nephews and niece.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his 3 siblings – Jim, Ray and sister Audrey; wife Marilyn Geno.
The family would like to thank Reflections Hospice of Mesa, AZ, The Oaks Merrill Gardens of Gilbert, AZ and Legacy Funeral Home of Chandler, AZ for their compassionate care. A private family celebration of life will be held in the near future. Memorial donations in Wally’s honor can be made to Fisher House Foundation, 111 Rockville Pike Suite 420, Rockville, MD 20850 www.fisherhouse.org.
Safe journey, Mr. Wonderful. You will be missed!