Marie Genchi

Former Aquebogue resident Marie Genchi of Greenport died Aug. 31 at San Simeon by the Sound. She was 96.

The daughter of Joseph and Josephine Sparta, she was born Oct. 15, 1919, in New Jersey.

As a teenager, Ms. Genchi left high school and sang in local saloons, churches, minstrels and Diamond Jim’s in New York City to help support her family. She later worked for New York Eye Shield in Carlstadt N.J. and became a sample maker of eyeglasses, working on a pair of glasses for General Douglas MacArthur.

Family members said Ms. Genchi was very religious with a “great faith” and that she loved singing the blues.

Predeceased by her husband, James, in 1993 and her son, Joseph, Ms. Genchi is survived by her three grandchildren, Julie DiCesare of Massachusetts, Bryan Ferretti of Point Lookout, N.Y. and Rachel Johnson of Aquebogue and eight great-grandchildren.

The family received visitors Sept. 5 at at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead. A funeral service followed at St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church in Riverhead. Interment took place at Calverton National Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Arrangements were in the care of Coster-Heppner Funeral Home in Cutchogue.