Sidney E. Genaux (July 1, 1933–July 9, 2022)
On the morning of July 9th, Sid Genaux received wings for the second time in his life. Sid was a kind and cheerful man who lived a life of service. He viewed every person he met as a potential friend.
Sid was very proud of the twenty three years he spent in the United States Air Force. He joined the Air Force hoping to become a truck driver but Uncle Sam had other plans so Sid spent his entire career as flight crew (his first wings). During that time, he served three tours in Vietnam where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal. He finished his Air Force career as a test flight engineer on C130s, retiring with the rank of Tech Sergeant.
After he retired from the Air Force, he worked for Friendship Dairies until the end of 1999. During that time he continued his service to others by spending twelve years as an EMT with the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps who recognized that service by making him a life member.
In 2002, Sid and his wife, Sharon, pulled out of Allegany County and began a new adventure as full-time RVers for the next fifteen years. Sid’s service during this period was volunteering for the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at sites in Arizona, Wyoming, Oregon, and Alaska. They came off the road and settled in New Mexico in 2018 when the symptoms of his Lewy body dementia became evident.
Sid was predeceased by his parents, Sidney E. Genaux and Winifred Roeder Genaux, his son, Donald Genaux, and his sister, Florence Genaux Kemp Ezell. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Murray Genaux, his sons, Edwin Genaux (Leatrice), Theron Genaux (Juanita), and Mark Genaux (Jennifer Camp), his brother John Genaux (Therese), grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved dearly. He is also survived by a host of friends scattered throughout the United States.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps or to the National Park Foundation would be appreciated, or just help a stranger in need. It’s what he would do.
