On Monday, January 30, 2023, Donald Michael Genco of Wellington, loving husband, father, uncle and friend, passed away peacefully. He was 79 years young. Born to Ethel (Ginger) and Dominick (Nick) Genco in Brooklyn, New York, Donald treasured his time with his multigenerational family from Italy and Norway, rooting for the Brooklyn Dodgers and playing stick ball and coco-levio with friends. After moving with his family to Staten Island as a teenager (but forever a Brooklyn Boy) and graduating from McKee Tech High School, he went on to attend SUNY Oswego in upstate New York, where he earned his Master's Degree in Counseling, formed lasting friendships with his fraternal brothers at Phi Sigma Phi and, most importantly, met the love of his life Mary Ann Salerno. Celebrating more than 56 years of marriage, the two shared an incredible love and mutual adoration for each other and their daughter Jennifer. After graduating from college, Don worked in a number of capacities for the Board of Education, receiving many accolades. His tenure began in New York and, after moving to Florida and a brief stint as a restaurateur, he returned to his life's passion and served as a beloved Guidance Counselor at Palm Beach Lakes High School until his retirement in 2005. Not surprising, through the years, countless former students remained in contact with Mr. Genco - Mr. G for short - keeping him apprised of their accomplishments and showing their gratitude for the unwavering support, guidance and encouragement he always provided. He enjoyed traveling and time spent with family, cooking, dining out, gardening, reading, movies, cartoons (he was a big kid at heart), music, dancing and attending live theater. He was an incredible storyteller, LOVED to laugh and had the purest gift for making everyone feel special. His smile will be remembered for an eternity. Above all else, however, Don cherished family, immediate and extended, as well as every friend he had ever made – all of whom he also considered family. Don is survived by his wife Mary Ann; daughter Jennifer; brothers- and sisters-in-law Walter, Terry Jo Sanger and Bud Murray, Patricia (Pat) and Richard (Rich) Elliott, Anthony (Tony) and Cynthia (Cindy) Salerno; adored nieces and nephews Allison, Lisa, Kilian, Damien, Missy, Heather, Grant, Tucker and Anthony and their families; and cousins Gerry, Bill, Janet, Jimmy, Dee Dee, Linda, Nancy and Karen and their families. If you wish, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, St. Jude or any Animal Rescue of choice.
