James Geneva

SAFETY HARBOR, FL- Carmen James Geneva, formerly of West Boylston and Holden, passed away peacefully on July 27, 2017. He was 88.

Mr. Geneva was born on September 4, 1928, a son of the late Nicholas and Christine (Amstead) Geneva. Jim attended and graduated from West Boylston High School. He then went on to graduate from the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at UMass Amherst with a degree in landscape design.

For many years Jim specialized in landscape design around the greater Worcester area. In the 1950's Jim formed a home construction business with friend Billy Merritt. Besides building many new homes, they assisted with home repairs and rebuilds in the aftermath of the Worcester Tornado in 1953. Jim then went on to found Geneva Asphalt Paving which he ran successfully until his retirement in the early 1990's.

Jim was an ardent New England sports fan and took his sons to see basketball, baseball and hockey games over the years. He was a staunch New England Patriots supporter and reveled in their many championship wins. In earlier years, he enjoyed horse racing, boxing and wrestling events. Golf became a favorite pastime during retirement. It was the family tradition to host the "Geneva Open" at Westminster Country Club where many memories and laughs were shared.

Later in life Jim met Dorothy Granger and they married in 2005 at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Holden. Together they gardened, renovated their homes, ballroom danced and enjoyed time spent with friends. One of their passions was to travel the world to many exotic and far flung locations. They spent many holidays and family events with Dorothy's daughters in Texas, California and Massachusetts.

He leaves behind his wife, Dorothy (Granger) Geneva; his sister, Doris Fitzpatrick; his children, Kathy Sullivan and her husband, Daniel; Donna DiNinno and her husband, Nicholas; Chris Geneva, Jim Geneva and his wife, Joanne (Dziembowski); his step-children, Cynthia Murphy, Sandra Martin and her husband, Mark; Susan Buytenhuys and her husband, Clint; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; many cousins and extended family members.

Jim was predeceased by his son, Steven Geneva; his brother, Donald Geneva and his cousin and longtime golf partner, Jackie Geneva.

Family and friends are invited to honor and celebrate Jim's life by gathering for visiting hours on Friday, September 15th from 4:00pm until 6:00pm at FAY BROTHERS Funeral Home, 1 West Boylston St., West Boylston. To place an online condolence please visit: www.faybrothers.com