Obituary of Ralph P. Gennarino

Dr. Ralph P. Gennarino, 93, formerly of Stow, NY, died Monday January 5, 2015 in WCA Hospital. An area resident since 1971, he was born October 24, 1921 in Oneonta, NY the son of the late John and Marianna Tanzini Gennarino. He earned his Bachelor of Education degree from SUNY Oneonta in 1946; Master of Arts degree from New York University in 1950; Doctor of Education degree from the University of Colorado on 1971; and his Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Administration in 1977. Upon his graduation from Oneonta in 1946, Ralph took a position teaching sixth grade at the Pine Bush Central School in Pine Bush, NY. Other positions held in Pine Bush Central were: High School Social Studies and Teacher of English, Elementary School Principal, and High School Principal. In 1956, he was appointed Supervising Principal of Maybrook High School and in 1958 he was appointed Principal of the Montgomery-Maybrook High Schools. In 1961, he was appointed Acting Superintendent of Valley Central School in Montgomery, NY. In 1962, Dr. Gennarino took a position as Assistant Dean at SUNY Brockport. There he served as Associate Dean of the College, Assistant Vice President for Operations and he retired in 1977 as Vice President for Educational Services. His honors include: 1977 Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Administrative Services from SUNY Brockport; 1977 Emeritus, Vice President for Educational Services; on May 5, 2006, in recognition for Dr. Gennarino's dedication and outstanding support of the College, a permanent plaque honoring him was placed on the covered bridge connecting three of the main buildings on the campus. The words on the plaque were: "Ralph P. Gennarino, a master manager, mediator and mentor-educator who was dedicated to enhancing the communication and organizational structures, systems processes, and procedures to ensure that they provided fair and efficient bridges between students, faculty/staff, administrators and the greater community." Since retirement from his career in education, he and his partner have been engaged in tree farming for over 30 years in Gerry, NY. Other honors and activities include: Outstanding Forest Landowner Award for 1992- Presented by Region 9, Forest Practice Board; Master Forester Certificate from Cornell University; member New York Forest Owners Association; member of Lakewood Rod and Gun Club; Outstanding Service Award presented by the Alumni Association of SUNY Brockport; Life Member NYS Congress of Parents and Teachers; Charter Member Western Monroe Historical Association; member of Phi Delta Kappa Chapter at the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO; former treasurer Board of Cooperative Educational Services in Orange County; former member of Lions International; former Orange County area representative for March of Dimes; former member of the Board of Directors Alumni Association University of Colorado at Boulder; and a former Cub Master. Ralph was a communicant of St. Mary of Lourdes Catholic Church in Bemus Point, NY. Surviving are a brother, Lawrence Gennarino of Oneonta, NY; two sisters, Frances Hodges of Pine Bush, NY; Katherine Biss of Hollidaysburg, PA, and several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Dr. Elizabeth B. Gennarino whom he married July 30, 1944 and who died November 8, 2007; a brother, John Gennarino of Oneonta, NY and a sister, Amy Malzone of Needham, MA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday in Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Bemus Point, NY. The Rev. Todd Remick, pastor, will be celebrant. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Emmons, NY. Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in the Lind Funeral Home where the Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. and a Christian Wake Service will be led at 7:45 p.m. Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ralph P. Gennarino Scholarship, c/o Brockport Foundation, 350 New Campus Drive, Brockport, NY 14420.