Philip Rene Genest
September 27, 1950 ~ January 15, 2024
Resided in:
Shapleigh, Maine
Philip R. Genest, 73 of Shapleigh, Maine passed away on January 15, 2024 after a brief illness. He was born in Sanford, on September 27, 1950, to Patrick and Laurette Genest.
He attended St. Ignatius school and his career consisted of several roles in the Genest family business and later as a self-employed mason. His services for clients also included jacking up houses in the Southern Maine area.
Phil was a man of many skills and talents, including building his own home in Acton, and more recently, along with his wife Jeanie, refurbishing their current home in Shapleigh.
His hobbies included fishing, four-wheeling, motorcycles, whittling, cooking, harmonica, skiing, genealogy research, hydroponics, tinkering with an array of tools and playing pool with his friends at home. He was also a ham radio operator and extremely technology oriented.
On a personal level, Phil enjoyed his family above all else. He will be greatly missed. As husband, father, grandfather and brother, he was a kind, positive presence in the lives of all who loved him. Never did he speak poorly of anyone. He was an exemplary role model in so many ways.
Phil was predeceased by his parents, Patrick and Laurette Genest, and a sister, Juanita Genest Nielsen.
He is survived by his loving wife, Jeanie Roberge Genest, daughters Julie Genest and Jessica Genest and their mom, Glenna Irvine and granddaughter Isla Jones, brothers Richard Genest, Edward Genest, Ron Genest, and a sister Patti Genest and several nieces and nephews.
At Philip's request, arrangements are private.
Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.
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We’re sorry to see you moved on Phil. I wish we could go back in time and work together again. I miss the “smirk” on your face. The “why don’t you tell us how you really feel” remarks. Did you see who they sent!! – Who brings a toilet seat back after you used it- story. All the stuff that made the job we were doing so much easier. Our friendship was always time well spent, even on the worst of days. We have missed those times and you. We hope to meet again, should we all end up at the same place. You would have laughed at that statement, lol.
Much love Phil, Bob & Cheryl Vachon
Rip Phill till we all meet again.. 🙏
Our deepest condolences to the Genest family.. Hugs and prayers for you Jeanie ..
God Bless
🙏
Uncle Phil was very quirky, silly, and goofy at times, but also very kind and loving. He was gentle and sweet though his size might suggest otherwise. I believe it’s because he raised daughters, and they taught him as much about life as he had taught them throughout their lives!
Uncle Phil was so sweet to aune Jeanie. A couple years ago on jer birthday (while she was in New York w Me) he sent her a beautiful bouquet of flowers and card. That made aunt Jeanie’s day!
I admired his honesty & integrity!
Our cat Mikey was at the kitchen door every night when I came home from work. I would pet him & say sweet things to him. Phil said how come you don’t greet me like that when you come home. I said when you greet me at the door I will. The next night when I opened the door Phil is on all fours & says “meow”. I just burst into laughter. I love that he could be so silly!
Patients! He tried to teach me computer skills. I would mess up the computer so bad it would take him a bit of time to fix it. He said stop being so impatient & read the messages before you click on things. I was a very bad student!
Phil loved food especially Thanksgiving dinner & he loved tools so much so that now I have a tool museum in my basement!
Very messy, I’m his wife so I can say that!
Usually in the evenings we would sit & watch a movie together (he would even watch chick flicks). I was always getting up & down to note something I didn’t want to forget or get a drink or use the bathroom & Phil would say “are you all set now”, I’d say maybe but usually not. This pattern continued over many months & one night he said “ok yo-yo where are you going now”! I cracked up laughing & the pet name stuck so his pet name for me is now yo-yo.
Phil & I went furniture shopping to get him a recliner. He was looking them over & I was looking at other things in the store. Phil thinks I’m weird because I will have conversations with strangers & he never does. I started to walk back over to him to see if he found one he liked. I hear him talking to a couple also shopping & he’s telling them all about the different chairs. They asked him if he is a salesman & he says no, just shopping like you. This man is always surprising me!
How much he loved his family but mostly how much he love & cherished his daughters, Julie & Jessica, they were his whole world!
He would take something out of a cabinet or drawer in the kitchen & later ask me “where does this go”. One would think after 26 years of marriage he would know where he took it from!
Calm. Happy. Loving. Patient. Kind. Honest.
He was the first person to hold me when I was born, he said to me once – “c-sections aren’t fun for the mom but are a real treat for the dad”
Love you dad 🩵
He wrote poetry. He loved astronomy. He loved photography. He loved music. Movies. Birdwatching. Fishing. Ham radios. Police scanners. Talking on the phone. Naps. Reading. Pool. His barbers chair. The basement.
I miss calling you and talking for hours about everything and nothing ♥️
His wife and kids.
How he was a homebody especially the last few years. He went weeks without leaving the house. It was just too peopley out there for him.
Most of the time… when you’re crying, nobody notices your tears. Most of the time… when you’re worried, nobody feels your pain. Most of the time… when you’re happy, nobody sees your smile. But when you fart just one time…
This wasn’t his quote but it was a quote my dad thought was funny and we laughed about a few years ago then again just recently.
He often said “well there!” Almost as if to place finality after whatever you said.
He had this brown brief case that held all his cassettes. He loved music. He introduced me to Cindy Lauper, Tina Turner, and Michael Jackson. My earliest memory is of him playing the songs for me and putting these huge black headphones on me.
Favorite possession definitely his tools! Favorite holiday was Thanksgiving because it was about food and not gifts. He loved food!! And he was a good cook.
The last time my dad made me laugh was when he was at the hospital the day before he died. The nurse was putting in an IV and told him to let her know if it hurt. He waited a minute then gave a little scream. She jumped. He laughed. He was pranking people even on his deathbed.
Too much. He was very talented and smart. Musically, artistically, physically, intellectually.
A LOT of things. The obituary covers a few of his many hobbies but what he truly loved most is being at home with his family.
I would say that I have a lot of regrets. If I could go back in time I would visit more, call more, tell you I loved you more. Listen for hours when you talked about your tools or new toy you bought. I always thought I would have more time.
His sense of humor!
The last lesson my dad taught me is to meet people where they are at. Appreciate people for what they are and don’t focus too much on what they are not. Everyone loves differently. The way my dad loved me was special and different from anyone else in my life.
By listening to them. He always had his piece to share. Sometimes unsolicited but he really took the time to sit and be with people. I think that was incredibly healing for them.
How smart he was. And how he had many hobbies and talents.
A lot of things. The way he loved me. How he took an interest in my life. Him always telling me everything he knew about whatever subject we were discussing. One time he spent hours explaining how electricity worked!
His confidence, kindness, and mild manners.
He was kind to others. He always took the time to listen to other people. He would stay on the phone for you with hours if you wanted. I don’t think he knew how much his time and energy meant to people.
That his life was important. That he wasn’t like anyone else. He never tried to be someone he wasn’t. He embraced his quirks and he was confident in being different. My dad taught me self acceptance.
When I was younger he had me convinced he had magical powers. He told me to concentrate on a penny on the table and if I tried hard enough I could move it with my mind. I tried a few times but I couldn’t make it move. He did though. I was amazed. It took me a few minutes to realize he had a magnet under the table!
Kind, calm, sweet, interested in others, interesting, had a thirst for knowledge, not afraid to try new things, many hobbies, great with kids.
It has been one month today.
I continue to think, “I have to tell Phil this or that…”
I don’t know how long it takes to fully accept.
I remember things in waves. Like skating with you in the moonlight when we were kids. We’d hear Fisher Pond’s thunderous cracking and you’d assure me we were fine and not going to fall through the ice. And I believed you because you never let me down.
I loved to call him, Philippe.
“Philippe, thank you, I love you.
The kindnesses you showed to everyone live on forever. You’re a tough loss and this won’t be easy.
But you would say, ‘Well there, Pet-tie’ in your best French accent. I miss you already. 🥲
To see the positive in others.
Always. ❤️
When we were kids, he had a little red wagon. He decided he was going to give me a ride in it, and despite my reluctance, put me in it and took me for a spin. And thus began the best journey a little sister could ask for.
If ever a star
Should go streaking ‘cross the sky
I will think of you
And I’ll imagine
You’re riding it home
Over mountain tops
Atop the valleys
You can now soar high above
Fueled by all the love
You gave and gathered
To and from your lovely self
I will close my eyes
And I’ll hitch a ride
As we play tag with the tide
On the ocean’s shore
Then I’ll step once more
Onto the star-kissed beach sand
As I watch you soar. ~PG~
Your light in this world was so bright it still warms my soul. Love you Phil and always will.
It’s not getting easier. Miss you more each day, Phil.