DeGENNARO, A. Joseph, 90, of Tampa passed away on December 4, 2017. Joe was born May 18, 1927 in Philadelphia, Pa. to Agostino and Helen Rose DeGennaro who were immigrants to the United States from Italy. He was preceded in death by his parents; devoted wife of 64 years, Norma Joan Ferry DeGennaro; sisters, Theresa, Betty and Gloria; and by grandson, Anthony DeGennaro. Joe is survived by six children, James (Merita) DeGennaro of Lakeland, Steve DeGennaro of Tampa, Robert (Debbie) DeGennaro of Tampa, Larry DeGennaro (Leslie) of Keystone Heights, Joey DeGennaro (Sheila) of Rocky Ford, Colorado and Norma Jean DeGennaro Burrows (Byron) of Tampa. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Joe was a well-loved and much respected teacher. He served 22 years in the U.S. Navy; most of time instructing sailors and Marines is the basics of aviation electronics. After retiring from the Navy in 1966, he attended college on the GI Bill and graduated from the University of South Florida with a Masters degree in mathematics. He then spent the next 30 years of his rewarding life teaching math in public and private schools in Hillsborough County. Besides being a member of the Greatest Generation, Joe was truly a Renaissance Man. He could play guitar, piano and violin; he could write poetry; he was very mechanically adept and a whiz at electronics; and he was an avid bicyclist. But most important to Joe was his family. The DeGennaro children were blessed to have outstanding parents who nurtured them and taught them the values of living by the Golden Rule and being courteous and respectful to persons of all cultures and positions. Joe later doted on his grandchildren and great grandchildren as he knew that to play with children meant you could stay young at heart forever. A celebration of life service will be held 5 p.m. Sunday, December 10, 2017 at Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home in Brandon, Florida. The family will receive friends one hour prior the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe's name may be made to your favorite charity or to the Alzheimer's Association at alz.org.
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5 Entries
December 15, 2017
Selina "Dee" Pierce Patterson
I am so very sorry for the loss of your beloved . I was moved so, during his service. His son's eulogie was so well written and delivered with emence love and loss. It moved me to tears. My deepest sympathy to his family.
December 10, 2017
brandon schmier
know our hearts are with you in this time of sorrow
brandon and milly schmier
December 9, 2017
Janet Shearer
I am very sorry for your loss. He sounds like he was a such a fun person to have as your relative and friend -- interested in the world around him, always learning, and always an inspiration to others. His passing surely leaves a huge void in your lives. My condolences to all the family.
Janet Shearer
December 8, 2017
Jim Roden Jr.
I never had the privilege of meeting Joseph but I know his son Jim and I can see that he was a wonderful father, grandfather and great grandfather. Jim I know your dear father will be greatly missed but his legacy will live for generations. My sincere condolences to the DeGennaro family.
December 7, 2017
Bill Skelton
I did not know Joseph, but I know his son Jim. You can tell a lot about people by the children they raise; and the stories their children share about them. By all accounts, Joseph was a good man and father. That's a simple compliment, but what it takes to earn it is immeasurable to those who loved and respected Joseph. As a mathematician, I'm sure Joseph knew the Lennon-McCartney theorem, "In the end the love you take is equal to the love you make." My condolences to the DeGennaro family.
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