William E. Genetti

William E. "Bill" Genetti, 86 of Conyngham passed away Saturday, May 8, 2021.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, April 18, 1935, he was the son of the late August H. and Della (Fox) Genetti.  He was a graduate of West Hazleton High School and upon graduation enrolled and studied Hotel and Restaurant Management at Penn State University-University Park.  He furthered his hospitality education in Lucerne, Switzerland.  Upon completing his education, Bill returned to Pennsylvania and enlisted in the US Army.  Following his discharge, he returned to Hazleton and managed the family business.

Bill was dedicated to his clients, customers, and employees, as the owner of Best Western Genetti Inn and Suites, Hazle Township.  He was always a man of character and integrity, who chose to treat others with respect.

During his career he earned his Certified Hotel Administrator Designation.  With over 55 years in the travel, tourism, and hospitality business, he was a strong advocate for promoting tourism in the state.  He was a founding member and first President of the Pennsylvania Travel Council.

As a twenty-year member of the board of Can-Do, he was always promoting local businesses and jobs in the Hazleton area.  Bill was a Past-President and lifetime member of the Hazleton Rotary Club.  He served on many boards and organizations including the United Way, American Cancer Society, and Red Cross.  As a businessman and community leader, Bill was very committed to giving back to the Hazleton area.  Most importantly he was a man devoted to his family.

Bill was preceded in death, in addition to his parents, by two sisters Rosemary Genetti Moyer and Marianne Genetti.

Surviving are his wife, Patricia (Stratts) Genetti, to whom he was married on January  4, 1975; four children Lyn Genetti Reeves, Baltimore, MD; William "Will" Genetti and his fiancee Morgan MacDonald, Mountville; Christopher Genetti and his wife Alex, Maytown; and Patrick Genetti; and his wife Cassandra, Sugarloaf; six grandchildren Pierce and Preston Reeves, Bailey Reeves Mount, Brittany, Evelina, and Gavin Genetti; five great-grandchildren; a brother Gus Genetti, Wilkes-Barre; and numerous nieces and nephews.

His funeral will be held Friday, May 21, 2021 at 10:30 am from Harman Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc. (East) 669 W. Butler Drive, Drums, followed by a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am in St. John Bosco RC Church, 573 State Route 93, Sugarloaf.  Interment will take place privately in Calvary Cemetery, Drums.  Friends may call at the funeral home, Friday, May 21, 2021 from 9:30-10:30 am.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hazleton Rotary Scholarship Fund, 8 W. Broad St., Suite 50, Hazleton, PA 18201; Pathways to Recovery, 223 W. Broad St., Hazleton, PA 18201; or Sugarloaf  Fire Company, 95 W. County Road, Sugarloaf, PA 18249.  Online condolences can be entered and more information is available at www.harmanfuneral.com.