Geno Olechnowicz, 72, of Harrison Ave., Newport, died Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at the Newport Hospital. He was the husband of Pat (Toppa) Olechnowicz. Born in Buncombe, NC on October 9, 1936, he was a son of the late Anthony and Fay (Gilies) Olechnowicz.

Geno was a veteran if the U.S. Navy, serving in the Korean War. He worked for over 37 years for the Newport Creamery Company, retiring in 1999 as a Plant Manager. For many years he worked as a bartender at Christie’s and at the Pier Restaurant. At one time, Geno had also owned the Irish American Club in Newport.

He was a member of the Newport Ancient Order of Hibernians, and was a fan and supporter of the Newport Rugby Team. Geno was an avid golfer and played many rounds at the Jamestown Country Club.

Besides his wife Pat, he leaves two sons, Eugene Willy Olechnowicz, and Marc A. Olechnowicz both of Newport; his brother Peter Olechnowicz and his wife Priscilla of Hilton Head, SC; a nephew Shawn Olechnowicz of Hilton Head, SC; Gretchen Falco and her husband Simone of Canada; and a brother-in-law Terry Toppa and his wife Pat of Newport.

He was the brother-in-law of the late Paul Butch Toppa.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, October 2, 2009 at 9am in St. Augustin Church, Carroll Ave, Newport. Burial private. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, October 1, from 4-7pm in the O’Neill-Hayes Funeral Home, 465 Spring St., Newport.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the James L. Maher Center, 120 Hillside Ave, Newport, RI, 02840.

Reported: 09/30/09 (Show all obituaries for this day)
By: ONeill-Hayes Funeral Home (Show all obituaries and information about this funeral home)

Go back