Geenen, John Augustine

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• Obituary: 25 Oct 2013; Appleton Post Crescent

Notes:

Obituary:
John Augustine Geenen, age 84, of Francis Creek, Wisconsin, entered eternal life on Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at his residence. John was the ninth child of Henry R. and Gladys Catherine (McCormick) Geenen. He was born on July 25, 1929 in Freedom, Wisconsin. John attended Saint Nicholas Elementary School. Early on, his teachers, the Notre Dame Sisters, recognized that John was a very gifted child. He was always at the top of his class and even skipped a grade. He was full of fun and always ready for a joke or prank. John had a beautiful voice, which was recognized in school where he was leader in the boys' choir. He loved music, singing and dancing. He was a Mass server and was always on time and considered it a privilege to serve Mass. He knew the Latin responses and answered the invocation of the priest in a clear and vibrant voice. After high school, John pursued education in several areas of interest. His first choice was to meet the needs of the common people. He saw the need for efficient, capable manager of the meat departments in the A&P Grocery Stores across the state of Wisconsin. He studied and mastered the newest trends in meat processing; learned about the many phases of producing, preserving and merchandising and also studied the skills development in this area. John knew the details of every phase of meat production and preservation with freezing being the most utilized method. He enjoyed preparing hickory smoked ham and making corned beef. He enjoyed selling meat and was meticulous, knowledgeable, skilled and artistic in setting up and arranging the meat display counter. As a salesman, John was pleasant, courteous and successful. He was well-informed in matters relating to the details of preparing farm and game animals, poultry, wild fowl and fish for market. John loved people. He enjoyed 20 years as an employee of the A&P Grocery chain stores. Later, John took up study of arboriculture. He studied the details of planting and caring for trees and shrubs and the steps necessary for landscaping, always aware of the appearance of the whole. When trimming trees or bushes, he was aware of symmetry and balance. He could reduce the bulky part of a shrub in a few minutes and make it pleasing to the eye. When planting a tree, he would make the tree symmetrical; check the hole for depth leaving a six inch space around the roots of the tree, putting the best soil at the bottom and filling the rest with mulch. Having a love for all nature, John enjoyed identifying trees. He was interested in the quality of lumber and the commercial value of trees. He was a licensed, fully insured landscaper and tree specialist. His professional training in tree removal, cabling, tree trimming, gutter cleaning and stump grinding was the preparation for his secondary career. John was employed by the Manitowoc Public School System for 18 years. He enjoyed faculty, staff and students. He was involved in school functions: faculty meetings, tournaments, track meets, musicals-Christmas and Spring concerts, proms, Christmas parties and graduations and he was loved by all who knew him. After retiring, John followed his heart and took up another interest of his which he had previously enjoyed-that of working with trees and plants. He started his own business, Jack's Tree and Stump Removal, which was very successful. The satisfaction of the customer was a great importance to John. It was his joy when removing a stump or tree, to clean up the area so that one would hardly notice that anything had been done. It had to be perfect. John was magnanimous in his dealings with the poor and elderly. When he did work for them, he always cut the price. During the snow season, John plowed out parking lots, places of business, residential areas and also the snow on sidewalks and driveways. Many times John helped the elderly by blowing out their sidewalks and driveways without cost to them. He loved to travel and observe other cultures and customs: Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, as well as traveling in the states. He made several trips to Branson, Missouri, because he had a great love for country music and the late artist, Johnny Cash. Joining the Senior Citizens, he was involved in their socials, lunches, dances and bus trips. Many times John was on the list for entertaining, singing, telling jokes and just making people feel great. He enjoyed working with senior citizens and the home-bound, bringing their groceries and whatever else they needed. He remembered their birthdays, anniversaries and frequently sent sympathy cards to the families. Helping the Saint Vincent de Paul Society in different ways was his forte. He delivered materials, clothing, furniture, dishes, pots and pans for other senior citizens who were unable to drive but wanted to donate to Saint Vincent de Paul Society. Frequently he was asked if he could provide logs for fireplaces in restaurants, hotels and other places of business and he always responded with a positive answer. John always participated in the 4th of July Parade in Manitowoc County. It was his joy to share candy and goodies with children and families along the parade route. He attended and loved the Firemen's Picnic and many other community functions. When waysides were the "place to enjoy a cookout", John invited friends to come and join him. He was always the Chef. He had such a marvelous sense of humor that made the day "A Day to Remember". John shared his talents, his humor, his music, his faith, and his boundless energy with his friends, co-workers and his family. Survivors include his two sisters: Sister Timothy and Sister Rosemarie of Beloit, WI; along with other relatives, friends, co-workers and business associates. He was preceded in death by his parents: Henry R. and Gladys Catherine (McCormick) Geenen; five brothers: Reverend James J. Geenen, Henry R. Geenen Jr., William T. Geenen, Joseph E. Geenen, Patrick J. Geenen; three sisters: Mary (Geenen) Fox, Sister Rosalyn, and Sister Mary James.
Funeral services will be held 12:00 o'clock noon on Monday, October 28, 2013 at Saint Nicholas Catholic Church, W2037 County Road S, Freedom, Wisconsin. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Daniel J. Felton with burial to follow at the parish cemetery. Relatives and friends may call at Saint Nicholas Catholic Church on Monday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of services at 12:00 o'clock noon.
Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
Published in Appleton Post-Crescent on Oct. 25, 2013