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Tony DiFondi posted a condolence
Saturday, September 26, 2020
Geno and I were born on August 1st, 1969. From that day forward, he would be my best friend and sometimes enemy. We were twins and everyone knows that twin boys always get along, right?………. Well, maybe not always.
Geno was my twin brother. He was half of me. My better half. A gentle soul who felt deeply and compassionately. He tried to keep it hidden so you wouldn’t see it, but if you looked, it ..was there.
What memories can I share with you?
When Geno and I were very young, probably around 4 or 5 years old, we lived in Utica, right down from the public swimming pool. One day when my mother was busy with household chores, Geno and I snuck out of the house and walked ourselves up the street to that public pool. It was packed with people. Since Geno and I hadn’t thought about bringing our swimsuits, we just stripped naked and waded in. There we were, butt naked with our little doodlers sticking out in from of everyone. We never did have any shame. Everyone in the pool was laughing their butts off while we waded in the shallow end…….. that is until one of us peed in the pool. Then the laughter stopped and everyone got out of the pool. Mom came up and retrieved her two little runaways. As for who peed in the pool, we have been arguing about that for years. I say it was Geno and Geno said it was me. It was Geno. That is my story and I’m sticking to it.
When Geno and I started school, he was always there to defend me. I was smaller than most of the kids my age, so I was an easy target to be picked on or bullied. Many times he fought my battles in elementary school. As we got older, I didn’t need him to fight for me any longer. We always looked out for each other.
Even though we stood up for each other, we fought each other even harder. We would tear up the house. There were times where that shared bedroom was just not big enough for the two of us. Our shared bedroom had holes in the walls from us going at it. We would actually shove each other through the drywall. As anyone who has kids that have to share their bedroom knows, the bedroom can be divided with duct tape or a rope or line drawn on the floor. You would think that the imaginary wall would prevent more arguments or fighting. Oh no! If he stepped over the line or I did, it was on.
When we moved from Utica to Oriskany, Geno and I had a new town to explore. We would ride our bikes all over town or our play on our green machines around the neighborhood. You remember those green machines? If so, you’re old! If the street light kicked on, it was time to get home.
The house we lived at in Oriskany was right next to a river and it wasn’t too deep. We loved playing in that stream. I can’t count how many crayfish we got out of that river. We would take them and use them for fishing. That creek had some great small mouth and rock bass. Michelle, Beth, Geno and I all played in that dirty creek. Karen had just joined our family, so she was a little too small to keep up with us then. Speaking of dirty water, right in front of our house there was a small water drain that was always getting clogged or drained slowly. All of us would get in our swimsuits and go up and stand next to that huge puddle of water when it rained. We would yell for drivers to hit the puddle. When they did, we got covered in muddy water.
That house had the added benefit of a large garage that the landlord used for storage. We were strictly forbidden to go in it or we would get in trouble. Being young boys, we always did what we were told. Well, maybe not always. We explored until we got caught. Then we promised not to do it again. Um, maybe we didn’t really live up to those promises.
Geno and I were always smarter than our parents. We really knew how to sneak around and get into things without being caught. Back when we were around 10 years old, my parents used to take us to our Grandma DiFondi’s house for dinner. Grandma D made amazing food. Anyway, there were always two tables, the adult table and the kid’s tables. Geno and I were usually at the kid’s tables. After we ate, we would go in the living room and watch TV while the adults stayed in the kitchen eating and talking. Grandma D had one of those cable descrambler boxes where it unscrambles every channel. If we were really careful, and turned down the volume, we could watch the Playboy channel. We had to be really careful. We would put it on Playboy and listen for any chair movement. If we heard any sounds of movement, we changed the channel. Once everyone settled down, we would put Playboy back on. We never got caught!!! At least, that is what we thought. Little did we know, but my father could see what we were doing by watching the reflection off the toaster oven or microwave, I forget which one it was. All that time, we thought we were outsmarting our parents.
When we were in fourth grade, we moved to Vernon. We immediately loved it. There was lots of land to go out and play. We walked the tree lines between properties and built forts. We picked berries and explored.
While we loved the home and surrounding land, I had trouble adjusting to school. Geno always adapted quicker that I did. He made friends easier than me. He was more social than I was back then and I was very shy. He also knew how to talk to the girls easier than I did. As I always was with Geno, I slowly made friends in Vernon and great friends they are. Look around the room. Many of you grew up with us in this room and have a special place in my heart. Thank you for all the love and support you have showed my family at this time.
As teenagers, Geno and I always liked the same girls. Twins are funny like that. Some of those girls are in this room.
If you remember, we lived near the Black Stallion restaurant. Most of our friends lived in town, so we had to walk to town to spend time with them. Sometimes we had to walk to town and back several times. Those were some great times. We would hang out with friends, slide down the hill at the Edic’s house or behind Foodland. We had party spots all over town. Vernon water falls was a popular one, as was the Kenyon home, the tracks and Edic’s.
We weren’t always angels. We got into plenty of trouble. Even so, he was always not only a great brother, but a true friend. I remember when I told him I was going to join the Army. He was skeptical about the idea. After I joined and shipped off, he told me how proud of me he was. Geno would give the shirt of his back for friends and family. I got out of the Army for a short time and decided to get back in. I had to get all my stuff moved to Missouri. Geno volunteered to work with my father to drive half way across the country and bring me my furniture. Geno and Dad did not always get along, so that was quite a sacrifice on his side.
While I was gone, he continued to make impressions on people around this area. He mentored some of the younger people in Vernon Center. They would come over to talk to him and share their problems with him. He would listen intently and give positive advice. Geno was also my Mother’s mechanic. He would spend lots of time working on her car or fixing something at the house. She relied on him for help and he provided that assistance. He loved my mother without reservation.
Geno loved dogs. He had a wonderful Rottweiler named Tasha. She was the love of his life for many years. They were inseparable. Tasha was a lot like Geno, giving unconditional love. Many of you saw Geno walk Tasha over to the T.O.B store to get a doggie sundae. When Tasha passed away from cancer, he had her cremated. Geno saved Tasha’s ashes and they will be mixed with his and they will be spread out on at his favorite place.
Geno was larger than live. He loved to ride Harleys, hunt deer and turkey, and fish. He taught me everything I know about hunting. His favorite place was in Madison where a wonderful family allows us to hunt on their land. When he lived in Arizona, he would have me call him when I got to the hunting land and he would tell me exactly where to go on those hills. There I was, hunting deer while walking through the woods on the phone. He was a great brother.
A few years later, Patty and I asked Geno to move in with us in PA. He hated Arizona and wanted to be closer to family. He gladly accepted. I flew out to Arizona and we loaded up the truck. In the days it took to drive across country, I got to know him all over again. Once he moved in, I really got to know him. We started spending lots of time together, hunting, fishing and playing with the dogs. He loved my Golden Retriever Daisy and our Pug Molly and they loved him immensely. This big, burly, bearded guy would melt over the kisses of our little pug. Geno had a big heart and gentle soul.
Geno was on disability for a while. He got very little from workers comp and Social Security. There was a time when I was struggling financially because we decided to sell our Louisiana home. It took over a year to get it sold. During that year, I was paying mortgages on two houses. It was a difficult time. Geno was always offering to help me with the bills. I insisted that he hold onto his money so he could save it so he could get a good place of his own. Here he was, financially strapped himself, and he wanted to give me his money. He had a big heart.
In the time that Geno lived with us, he thought he was a burden on me. Nothing could be farther from the truth. I loved having Geno back in my life. Those years will never be forgotten. He thought I had to prop him up. He propped me up. He was always there for me to talk to, to share my feelings with. Over 49 years of life, I could not ask for a better brother.
Geno may be gone now, but for those of us who were touched by him, he will always live in our hearts. I am a better man because of him and I will never forget him.
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Martha Villarreal lit a candle
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
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Prayers and thoughts for the DiFondi family during this difficult time.
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Ron Trucksess posted a condolence
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Geno, I met You by chance through My Sister and Your Brother maybe 3 to 4 years ago. I am honored that We became Friends, and will miss the conversations that We had about the Outdoors, Cars, and Life in general. You are a Great Friend with a Big Heart. Dogs are very intuitive to Kind Spirits. When I would visit You, Tony, and My Sister Patty in Pennsylvania with My Dog Maddy, Maddy would instinctively wander over to You, and let You Pet Her, with Her being a Dog that was cautious of Adults. This is a testament to the fact that You have a Very Gentle and Kind Spirit. Rest in Peace My Friend.
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Donna Clinch lit a candle
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
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My deepest regards to his family and friends. He was a GREAT person.
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Tracy Kegebein lit a candle
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
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Ron Williams lit a candle
Monday, February 11, 2019
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Matthew Chmielewski lit a candle
Monday, February 11, 2019
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Priscella McPherson posted a condolence
Monday, February 11, 2019
My condolences to the Difondi family and circle of friends on the loss of your beloved Eugene. May you find some comfort in the promises recorded at John 5 vs 28, 29 and Revelation 21 vs 3, 4. I am truly very sorry for your loss.
"Help for Those Who Grieve" Awake! No.3 2018, www.jw.org
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Louis J. Bender Sr. posted a condolence
Monday, February 11, 2019
Rest in peace Geno. It was a honor to be a life long friend. I miss the good old days, but I remember you in a lot of them. You will not be forgotten my friend.
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William wilkinson posted a condolence
Monday, February 11, 2019
Geno was like a brother , best freind and really close family member to me he was always there for me as well me for him. We did everything together fixing cars things around the house and mostly fishing and hunting together. This has been very tough as he was like a brother to me and he will be greatly missed. I hope he is at peace and free of his pain and he can enjoy life in the second life where we will be together again someday. I love you and will miss u greatly until we see each other again your brother Will.
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Andew Catello posted a condolence
Monday, February 11, 2019
Geno was a nice guy! Will not forget you and some of the funny arguments we had about life... Always a good laugh when we talked..Rest easy my friend.
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Sandy and Dave Silverstein posted a condolence
Monday, February 11, 2019
Dave and I are so very sorry to hear that there was a loss in the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all ❤
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Jeff Sayers posted a condolence
Monday, February 11, 2019
Winnie, I'm so very sorry for your loss. Remember John 5:28, 29. These difficult days will soon be over. Love you, Jeff.
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Charmain Meeker lit a candle
Sunday, February 10, 2019
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Ruthann Crandall posted a condolence
Sunday, February 10, 2019
I’m so sorry.My condolences to you Chris and Family.May your brother RIP.Ruthann,Tony and Girls.
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Matthew Chmielewski posted a condolence
Sunday, February 10, 2019
Sorry to hear about the passing of Gino . He and his family will be in our thoughts and prayers
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Wendy Vineall Wilson posted a condolence
Sunday, February 10, 2019
I am so very sorry to hear of the passing of Gene!! I will always remember his smile and sense of humor always. He will be greatly missed and I am praying for comfort for all the family!! Rest in peace my friend!
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Jean (DiFondi) O'Connor posted a condolence
Sunday, February 10, 2019
Winnie and Family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. I will keep you all in my prayers.
Jean
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Karen Sorrell lit a candle
Sunday, February 10, 2019
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Jayme & Anne McKenna lit a candle
Sunday, February 10, 2019
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Donna Ibrahim lit a candle
Sunday, February 10, 2019
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Donna Ibrahim posted a condolence
Sunday, February 10, 2019
Gene, we have been friends for more than a lifetime. I cherish everything we have ever done and talked about. You were my bestfriend . You, Tony and my brother Bob we 4 always had a great time. A couple weeks ago we last talked ..last time I heard your voice .Your words I will always carry with me I Love You.
Rest in peace my friend .Behave up there..I love you..
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Rolando & Jocelyn Garcia family posted a condolence
Sunday, February 10, 2019
Thanks for being a good friend. I'll miss our random talks or messing with each other over stuff wether it was politics, jerky recipes, sports, or whatever. I'll miss you brother. I love you man. Rest in paradise.
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The family of Eugene A. DiFondi uploaded a photo
Sunday, February 10, 2019
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464 SHERRILL ROAD
SHERRILL, New York 13461
23 FRONT ST
VERNON, New York 13476