Michael R. Genest

Michael "Mike" Genest passed away on June 24, 2020.Mike was born to Gertrude (Guillemette) and Gerard Genest in Sanford, Maine, where he attended Holy Family School. He attended high school at Saint-Joseph School in Memramcook, New Brunswick, and graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University of Ottowa, Canada. Mike served in the National Guard from 1966-1972. Mike met his wife Janet (Mewbourne) Genest in 1966; the two were married on July 1, 1967. They were married for 53 years. Mike was a former president of the family business, Genest Concrete, in Sanford; he took pride in doing most every job at the company, from being a master hand-stacker of concrete blocks during the summers of his youth to driving a fork lift, filling gravel bins, maintaining equipment, and helping to grow the company with his father, brother, and in later years, sons. He was proud of his French-Canadian heritage and would brighten at the opportunity to speak French with anyone. Mike loved to be with his wife, children, and grandchildren, and took great joy in the occasions when the entire family gathered. He lived by the values and teachings of the Catholic church, was a defender and protector of his loved ones, loyal to his beliefs, dedicated to his family and his business, and generous to causes close to his heart. Those closest to Mike knew he was an intensely private and gentle person. Mike and his wife enjoyed traveling with friends from the Lazy Daze RV group, an active group he loved being part of. He was particular about the care, maintenance, and driving of his RV. Mike loved working hard outside in every season; he cleaned leaves and ice from the roof of his house well into his 70s despite protests from family-adding to the list of things he simply wanted done himself. He had an affinity for Austin Healey cars, blueberry pie, and being near the ocean. He spent many summers with family at Square Pond in Shapleigh, Maine, where he enjoyed sailing, watching his children and grandchildren swim, and countless sunsets. Mike is predeceased by his parents, Gertrude & Gerard Genest.Surviving are his wife, Janet Genest of Sanford; his daughter, Michelle Genest of Long Beach, CA; his son, Christopher Genest and his wife Gwen (and granddaughters Mackenzie and Isabella) of Kennebunkport; his daughter, Jennifer Genest and her husband Christian Burne (and granddaughters Clara and Holland) of Los Alamitos, CA; his son, Matthew Genest and his wife Heidi (and grandchildren Oliver, Ellery, and Easton) of Sanford; his sister, Marguerite and her husband Joseph Herlihy of Sanford; his sister, Arline and her husband John Greenlee of Sanford; his brother, David Genest and his wife Claire of Sanford; many nieces and nephews; and a dear childhood friend, Len Sevigney, of Kennebunk, Maine. Due to the social distancing order, a mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated privately with an interment at St. Ignatius Cemetery.Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider a donation to be made in Mike's name to St. Thomas School, 69 North Avenue or to the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org ).To leave a message of condolence click tab at left.