Gaetan Joseph Genest, a longtime resident of Monroe, passed away surrounded by his family on April 16, 2022. He was 68 years old.
Born in Oskélanéo, Quebec, Canada, he was the son of Albert and Alma Genest. He was a graduate of Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk. Throughout his life, he was employed at Bigelow Tea, Nash Engineering, the town of Monroe and most recently, within the Monroe School System.
Gaetan enjoyed life’s simple pleasures and was happiest when spending time with family, especially his four grandchildren. When not with his family, he could often be found outdoors working around the yard; felling trees; tackling one home project after another; or participating in his favorite hobby — lovingly restoring his collection of antique farm tractors. But no matter the task at hand, Gaetan always had music playing in the background. Always.
He enjoyed all things farm-related, which was instilled during the early years of his life in Quebec, before his family immigrated to the United States. It’s why he loved horses, even owning one named Sarge, was known to volunteer his time helping small dairy farms milk their cows, and also why he faithfully attended the state’s many agricultural fairs with Bethlehem, Goshen, and the Orange Country Fair being his favorites.
Gaetan will be remembered for his ready smile, kind demeanor and always offering a helping hand.
He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Mary Ellen Genest, his daughters Renée Hourigan (Brian) and Jessica Genest, his grandchildren Julia, Brian, and Jeremiah Hourigan, and Ross Genest-Dalling, his siblings Léo Paul Genest, Roger Genest, Roland Genest, Robert Genest, Marcel Genest, Pauline Genest, Claude Genest, and Simone Crespo, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Albert and Alma Genest, and his brother, René Genest.
Family and Friends are invited to a funeral service to be celebrated Friday, April 22, at 11 a.m. at Saint Jude Parish, 707 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to Connecticut Farmland Trust, preserving Connecticut farmland for farmers, at: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E93568&id=1
