Arthur Genova, 1940–2026, loving husband, father, and grandfather

Arthur F. Genova, of Plymouth, formerly of Waltham, died Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth. He was 86.

Arthur was born in Boston on January 6, 1940, a son of the late Anthony and Angelina (Lazazzero) Genova, and was raised in Waltham. After graduating from Waltham High School, Arthur earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University in Boston.

Following graduation, he joined the United States Army and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant and assigned to the Signal Corps in Germany. He was promoted to Captain before his honorable discharge from the service in 1967.

Until his retirement, Arthur worked for decades as an Electrical Engineer for various defense contractors and in the medical device industry, including GTE Sylvania and Hewlett-Packard, specializing in radio frequency technology.

Raised in Waltham’s Lakeview neighborhood, he and his family were members of Our Lady’s Parish and following his marriage to Patricia A. MacDonald, the couple remained in Waltham to raise their family. Arthur was an extremely hard-worker, with a side business designing circuit boards at his home drawing table for over twenty-five years. He was proud to be able to provide his family with a cottage on a Plymouth pond in the mid-1970s, which remained a family gathering point cherished by their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many friends for the rest of his life. The doors at the Genovas’ cottage were always open to family and friends near and far, and water toys abounded.

In addition to their children and grandchildren, countless visitors and neighborhood friends learned to water ski with Arthur at his boat’s helm, and he delighted in swamping older kids and young adults when taking them tubing. Arthur was adventurous himself, riding dirt bikes with Patricia, their children and neighbors, and learning to ski in his 30s which led to memorable trips up North and out West.

Arthur and Patricia’s move to Plymouth came twenty years ago, allowing for fun-filled days at the pond surrounded by family and friends before heading home to the nearby year-round house they enjoyed designing.

Around the house and cottage, and among family and friends in Waltham and in Plymouth, Arthur was frequently called upon to help fix, make, or repair anything involving carpentry, electricity or plumbing. He could also help with auto repairs owing to his experience with his father who operated an auto body shop in Watertown for decades.

Eager to stay busy, Arthur’s projects around the house were endless and enjoyable, making his home and cottage showplaces. His favorite place to work and play was the pond’s island, which he and his wife purchased as a family surprise. They spent countless hours turning it into a recreational oasis, with a small beach plus yard furniture and multiple birdhouses he built in his basement workshop during the winter months.

Arthur frequently enlisted the aid of his kids, grandkids, neighborhood friends and visitors in his various home and landscaping projects – all of whom were happy to help, due to his infectious enthusiasm and at times gentle goading. The life lessons that they learned from Arthur were the added bonus of learning a new skill. He vigorously and happily pursued such projects right up to the day before his passing, spending hours on an 8’ tall ladder cutting branches with his third favorite chainsaw, before relaxing to spend time with Patricia and play cards with a neighbor.

Since childhood, Wednesday nights were reserved for candlepin bowling at the Wal-Lex in Waltham, a place where friends and family created lifelong relationships, and later in Kingston. He was also an expert card player, and any game would do; double deck pinochle with his brother and childhood friends well into their senior citizen years, and cribbage and hearts with family, friends and visitors were among his favorites. He never remembered when he lost, and took particular joy in a grandchild or great-grandchild whom he taught to play beating him.

Arthur will be deeply missed by his large family and many close friends from all stages of his life. In addition to his beloved wife of more than 65 years, Patricia, he leaves his children, Arthur F. Genova, Jr. (Laraine) of Peterborough, New Hampshire, Susan M. Genova of Vero Beach, Florida, Marianne P. Genova Long (Thomas) of Sudbury, Kathleen M. Genova (Brian Nagle) of Easton and David E. Genova (Julie) of Concord; his grandchildren, Derrick Genova (Corinne), Violet Genova (Heather), Isabella and Tobias Genova, David Atkinson (Keara), T. Joseph Long (Alexa), Brian Long (Jacquelin), Kiara, Fiona and Shayla Nagle, and Jason, Jonathan and Jacqueline Genova; his great-grandchildren, Gavin, Isla, Jackson, Lillian, Vincent, Matteo, Jake and Owen; his sisters and brothers, Anne Carey (late Charles) of Vero Beach, Florida, Thomas Genova (Mary) of Marlborough, Rose O’Donnell (late William) of Westford, Arlene Genova (Craig Maxey) of Harvard, John Genova (Louise Schneider) of Needham, Mary MacGregor (Barry) of Conway, South Carolina and Laurel Daly (Matthew) of Waltham; his sister-in-law, Mary McKay Genova of Townsend; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and their families.

Arthur was also the father of the late Sharon A. Genova and a brother of the late Anthony Genova.

Family and friends will honor and remember Arthur’s life by gathering for an evening wake in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Monday, March 30, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and again at 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning, March 31, before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham, where his funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Saint Bernard’s Cemetery, Concord.