Bend, Oregon resident Vince Genna dies

I was saddened to learn of the loss of Vince Genna this week. He certainly contributed greatly to this community of Bend and he will be fondly remembered here, for many reasons.

Though I live here now, I didn't always. Many years ago, I lived outside of Eugene. It was there that I met Vince's grand-daughter Beth. We went to school together and became the best of friends. More often than not, I was a regular at the Genna home and I was fortunate enough to attend many vacations and get togethers with their family. I remember meeting Vince on more than one occasion, though I was just a young girl at the time. I remember his smile and the love he had for his grandchildren. Seems like just yesterday but sadly it's been about 25 years ago now.

No amount of time will erase the cherished memories of a childhood. My heart goes out to Mike, Claudia, Michael and Beth and everyone in the Genna family who are grieving the loss of this tremendous man.

God's peace be with you all.

The following tribute to Vince has been provided courtesy of KTVZ-21.

Bend parks pioneer Vince Genna dies
Was 'quarterback' of Bend park efforts for decades

Vince Genna led Bend's parks for almost 40 years and was tireless in his efforts to bring volunteers together and make more parks and ball fields happen (Submitted photo)

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Bend Metro Park & Recreation District

Posted: 3:47 PM, Apr. 9, 2007
Last Updated: 6:03 PM, Apr. 9, 2007

By KTVZ.com news sources

Vince Genna, a long-time, beloved Bend resident who pulled volunteers together to build the city's park system over a 37-year career, has died in Washington state from complications from a heart attack.

Genna died Saturday in Renton, Wash., at the age of 86.

Paula Lowery, who first worked for Genna when the park department was part of city government, said park district staff recently had put together a photo album for him, "to send to him, just to sort of cheer him up."

"I went through boxes of projects he was involved with," Lowery said. "There was just so many, it was a challenge to figure out what to include. ... The contribution he made to this community is incredible."

"He was really this dynamic personality," she said. "He kind of rubbed people the wrong way some times, and in other ways he was a real sweet talker" -- and the latter part of his personality got many in town, including contractors, to donate time, energy and materials to make parks and ball fields happen.

Oran Teater, a former mayor and city councilor, said Genna leaves an impressive mark on the city he called home for so many years.

"I think his big legacy is that we are very fortunate to have the number of facilities in this community that we have," Teater said. "And it's thanks to him and the wonderful donations we have. He was the quarterback of the team."

Here is the text of Genna's obituary:

Mr. Genna was born Jan. 1, 1921 in Auburn, Wash., the first of eight children of Nicholas V. and Dorothy Genna. He was raised in Tacoma, graduating from Stadium High School in 1940. He attended Willamette University in Salem, Ore., where he met Lois Gregson. They married April 10, 1943.

When America entered World War II, Mr. Genna had joined the U.S. Army Air Forces, in which he served as crew chief on B-24s in the Mediterranean theater, promoted to the rank of master sergeant and awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

After the war, the family returned to Salem, but moved to Bend in 1954, where Mr. Genna became assistant recreation director. During these years, he coached American Legion Junior Baseball teams to three state championships - a record matched by only one other coach; one of those teams went on to finish fourth in national competition.

As the city grew, Mr. Genna became recreation director, director of Parks and Recreation, and then director of the Bend Metro Parks and Recreation District, during which time Bend parks and programs won numerous state and national awards. The baseball field he expanded and improved was named Vince Genna Stadium in his honor in 1972. He retired in 1990.

Mr. Genna was a past commander of the Bend's American Legion post and past president of the 450th Bomb Group Association. He was a member of Bend Rotary, the Pagetarians, and many other local service groups
.
Survivors include his two sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Claudia Genna of Creswell, Ore., and Chris and Mary Genna of Kent, Wash.; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; brothers Arnold and Nick Genna and sisters Marie Bernardo and Connie Bender, all of Tacoma; and scores of nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian burial wwill be held in Tacoma Wednesday. Burial will be in Pilot Butte Cemetery. A memorial service and celebration of Mr. Genna's life will be held later in Bend.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Vince Genna Memorial Fund, in care of Bank of the Cascades, P.O. Box 5879, Bend, OR 97708.