It is not easy to say goodbye to someone whose life, love and friendship was so important to so many people. So our goodbye to Hubert Anton Leo Genders is a celebration of a remarkable man who leaves behind a legacy and who will be remembered always.
Leo’s exceptional life began in Maastricht, the Netherlands, in 1933, as the second of four children. After serving two years in the Dutch Army, he wanted adventure. While making plans to immigrate to Canada, he met his beloved Josee in a hospital room while they were visiting their fathers. They married after only two months, and it would be a love that would last over 55 years until she passed in 2011.
Together they immigrated to Montreal in 1956, where he took odd jobs until he was hired by the Canadian Pacific Railway, where they decided to teach him about computers. From there they moved to California, and he began working for NCR Corporation, which moved him to Dayton, Ohio. From there, he would eventually retire in 1995. His last move was to Circleville, where he lived until he passed.
Of all things in his life, he was most proud of his family.
He was an incredible father to four children and their spouses, Leo and Samantha, John and Karen, Mark and Heather and Valerie and Bob; as well as Opa to 13 amazing grandchildren, Leo, Emily, Mia, Josie and Lily (Leo), Tyler, Jacob, Cole and Abbie (John), Madison and Luke (Mark) and Amy and Bobby (Valerie). He also leaves behind his dear sister, Mieke; many nieces and nephews that he loved; and so many wonderful friends.
Leo was a 32 Degree Master Mason and was past master of John W. Durst #716 in Dayton, and Past Master of Pickaway Lodge #23. He was a member of the Aladdin Shrine Provost Unit and president of the Circleville Masonic Temple Association.
Anyone that knew him would say he was a true Dutchman: strong, stubborn, loving, independent, loyal, and a very proud man. A perfect day for him would be reading a book, doing some work at the Masonic Temple, having dinner with his entire family at his house (with him cooking) and smoking a good cigar on the back deck.
He will be loved and missed forever, and the lessons he taught so many of us will always stay with us. Tot Ziens, Pappa.
Leo passed away in Columbus on Jan. 23, 2016, surrounded by the love of his family. Visiting hours will be 3:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016, at the Wellman Funeral Home, 1455 N. Court St., Circleville, with a service starting at 6 p.m.
Online condolences can be made to www.wellmanfuneralhomes.com.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
