OBITUARY

Mr. John Genis, a Costa Mesa resident for 40 years and father to

former Mayor Sandy Genis, died April 18 from complications after a car

wreck in February. He was 86.

“It was really hard, especially since sometimes we thought it was

doable and that we could even maybe get him home with some help,” Sandy

Genis said. “Then several times we had calls that we had better get down

there. So it was really up and down, really stressful. But I’m glad we

got the chance to say goodbye and really let him know how much we loved

him.”

Sandy Genis described her father as a tenacious, smart and independent

person who liked animals, painting and working in his garden.

“He did a lot of stuff and seemed to be really good at everything

because he was very much a perfectionist and he was also a very good

dad,” she said. “When I was a kid, he built me a playhouse and even as an

adult if I needed anything fixed he was always there to help. Back when I

was little, I thought Daddy could fix anything.”

Mr. Genis spent his working life as an engineer. He transferred from

Ford Aircraft in Chicago to Ford Aeronutronic in Costa Mesa, moving his

family with him 40 years ago, and then finally worked for Calcomp until

his retirement.

After he retired, Mr. Genis worked as a consultant until he had a

heart attack 19 years ago. Even then, he remained active, Sandy Genis

said.

He was a member of several engineer societies and was also active in

the Costa Mesa Art League.

Mr. Genis won awards for his watercolors and was awarded Purple Hearts

and the Silver Star for his service in the U.S. Army in World War II.

“He wasn’t a sit-around kind of person,” Sandy Genis said. “He was

very independent and was still digging his own garden and mowing his own

lawn until the end. He wanted to do it himself. And Daddy was very, very

strong-willed. I don’t think he would have gone on as long as he did if

he hadn’t been. They told us he wouldn’t last longer than five years, but

we had him for 19.”

Sandy Genis said she attributes her tendency to have strong opinions,

her love of animals and her interest in public affairs to her father.

“I think I get a little bit of my personality from him, too, such as

being a little stubborn and being very curious about things,” she said.

“He was always interested in something and taking classes in something.

He had a really nice smile and I’ll miss that.”

Mr. Genis was cremated and the family plans to have his ashes kept in

the Arlington National Cemetery as a tribute to his military career.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Helen, of Costa Mesa; and his

daughters, Sandy Genis of Costa Mesa and Linda Genis of Santa Ana.

In lieu of flowers, the family is accepting donations to the

Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, 500 Morris Ave., Springfield, New

Jersey 07081.