Geno was very caring and compassionate. He was the enforcer for OPSB, and he made it known if someone was giving you the 'business', to let him know. Sure enough, the hooker from Portland Pigs was being a nuisance, so I decided to appeal to Geno's sense of compassion and let him know the hooker was being a "dick". Wouldn't you know, within 3 minutes of me telling Geno to "take care of it", the Pigs' hooker was splayed out on the field with a bloody nose seeing tweetie birds. After the pack broke from a set scrum, Geno, a pace or two in front of the opposing hooker, fired a backhanded fist into the face of the hooker. Needless to say, when going into the next set, I told the hooker it could get worse than it already is, the nonsense stopped, immediately.
So yes, Geno was very caring and ensured his teammates did not have to tolerate any nonsense when drubbing an opponent on the pitch.
Miss you big guy!
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Other's have commented on Geno's quick wit. When we worked together in Malta, we often used to frequent Joe's Bar in Mosta. This bar was also frequented by some of the American oil workers from the rigs in Libya. One particular evening there was an American there who picked up on Geno's Irish accent, and slightly the worse from drink, stumbled over to us to tell us he's recognised the accent and asked where in Ireland Geno came from. When he was told Kerry, he gave a low whistle - "wow that's really in the sticks. Do you have electricity there yet?" Without flinching, Geno replied "No sir, we do not. We have to watch TV in the dark". The whole bar fell about laughing but the answer went straight over the head of the asker!
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Anne and Paddy devastated at the untimely death of our dear friend Geno We go back decades from our days in Libya and Malta back in the late seventies Myself Geno and Tony McCarry (rip) shared a flat in Malta in 1977 and of course our other great friend was John Perry
We only now heard from John of Genos passing May he Rest in Peace Paddy & Anne O'Brien
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2018, INGLETON, Yorkshire Dales, UK
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A great mate gone! We had such fun sharing an apartment in Malta for a couple of years and working together at the Libyan Institute. Kept in touch thereafter and met up a few times - always fun. So sad . Heartfelt condolences to his family.
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A few of my memories of Geno in London in the 1970s include one when I had completed my college course I wanted to get a job before applying for full time position in an Architectural practice, I was offered a job painting a house in Twickenham.
He collected me at me flat in Chiswick and we headed off to work. I remember that he had a music tape of Albert Hammond and played the song " I gave it up for music and the free electric band" and explained to me that the traffic jam of card heading in to London were all Accountants and Bankers heading in to boring jobs.
Another memory is his rendition of the first line of The Rose of Tralee
" The pale moon was rising and no one could stop it"
Rest easy Geno.
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Gino; You gave me a job when I needed it, you molded me into a better rugby player. Your hands were second to everyone, except when you fought Hans DeGoody (Canadian National). You loved the "hopper" play and I will miss you.
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So sad to hear of Geno’s passing. As one half of the famous Geno and Smithy partnership he was a constant presence in my rugby life with a wicked, slightly crooked, smile, with a quick repost to most comments. As his teammate he was always ready to step in and protect us “lesser” beings (fly half, backs in general). Off the field in his natural habitat of the bunch of grapes in Knightsbridge, he was a joy to behold- pint in hand, eyes scanning the horizon. My wife Sue and I adored him and we missed him when he moved to the US. I know you as a family will be devastated to have lost such a large part of your lives. Our own sadness will always be tempered with the stories of what he and Smythy got up to - nearly all of which are unrepeatable!!!
RIP old friend. Xx
Paul and Sue O’D
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Geno was a true force of nature, we'll miss him! though I won't miss the "death march" training exercises he led us through to prepare for rugby season...
My bride and I had a chance to visit Geno at his mansion/compound on Lake Chelan a couple of years ago, what an amazing effort he had put into building it! I was quite impressed.
Geno called me in May to see if I could somehow help arrange a surgery residency closer to Washington for his daughter, Maggie, as she is completing her medical school training. I'm glad I was able to help her a bit with the medical school process a few years ago, but all of my surgical colleagues have retired and I wasn't able to help find a training location closer to home, but I guess that's a moot point now...
Godspeed, Geno, and we'll all look forward to playing on the eternal rugby pitch at some point...
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Geno was Katy’s first and only love. I can say this just because she and I have been best friends since childhood. He was the kind of man she needed, strong in ever sense of the word with a quick wit and playful side. I was so happy they found each other and built a life with their 2 beautiful, equally as strong and intelligent girls. For some reason I thought he’d outlive most of us “younger” ones. Our next trip out there will be somber. We will miss his stories, his thick Irish accent and his infectious smile. Sending all our love and peace to Katy and the girls. We love you all.
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2018, Chelan, WA, USA
— with
Geno,
Maggie,
Anna
and Katy Janice and Elizabeth
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2018, Chelan, WA, USA
Dawes visit
— with
Jonathan
and Geno and Pete
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We were all deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing of "Uncle Geno". We have many wonderful memories of Geno at our family gatherings, and enjoyed his hospitality on Lake Sammamish and Lake Chelan. His good humor and sense of adventure always added to our days together. He will be greatly missed by us all.
The Schrader Family
Mark, Melissa, Emma, Eric & Alana
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My dear friend Geno. I am grateful I visited you in June when I was on a quit stop over in Seattle. We laughed, drank some piss and sat on the lower deck you added to your architectural masterpiece in Manson. We spoke of the commonalities we experienced in life and how we ended up together, playing for OPSB. I am forever thankful of your friendship, kindness, sense of humor and ability to problem solve.
Our kids, Courtney, Nicolette and Teddy will miss you, along with my wife Jo. You touched all of us with your love and caring.
Rest peacefully mate!
Ted
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I first met Geno in the mid '70's when we were both playing at London Irish. We played together often but generally he was more likely to be in the 1st XV and me in the 2nd XV. Funnily, at that time I remember him as being unassuming and almost shy (he'd hate that) doing all the hard work on the rugby pitch in the background. He did however manage to frequently give me a hard time about being a N Ireland Protestant.
My career took me to Boston for a few years and then I ended up in Seattle early '80s. Surprise, surprise, Geno and i were on the pitch together again.
His work colleagues have already testified to his leadership. He did the same thing for OPSBRFC when he was coach/captain.
My sincerest sympathy and condolences to Katy, Anna and Maggie. A Giant Gentle Man
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Having played on the other side of the pitch against Geno he was intimidating and respected. His leadership and tenacity raised his Beachdog teams and brothers to greatness. He was a friendly giant too and I felt privileged to have played with him on the Old Boy Smoothdog circuit. RIP Geno!
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We enjoyed Gene so much. The old neighborhood just won’t be the same without him. He is missed.
Teri & Don Fink
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Two of Captain Geno’s iconic half time quotes:
For fucks sake! You look like fifteen pillars of paralyzed piss!
You must run. And run. And run. Running only causes pain. Pain can be overcome. Losing can’t be!
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Geno, Geno, Geno why have you left us so early? London is not the same without you. There are many Geno stories but I do remember one in particular. I think it was 1983. London Irish were in Dublin to play Old Belvedere on the Friday evening and then we went to watch the Ireland England game on Saturday. Needless to say we were on the lash on Saturday but then had to play Clontarf on Sunday afternoon!! We were not at our finest as you can imagine but we were a pretty useful team and were up for the game. All went swimmingly until one of the Clontarf players was on top of me and was about to thump me. Well that’s what Geno thought!! Geno being Geno came to my rescue and gave this guy a good punch. Unfortunately by the time the punch had landed the other fellow was long gone and Geno managed to split open my top lip. End result was a visit to local Dublin hospital for some stitches. The only doctor who was available must have only qualified that day!! He didn’t quite manage to line up the lip so every time I look in the mirror I am reminded of Geno!!! Very happy to pay that small price for him. You will be missed big man.
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I met Geno in ~2000 when I moved with my young family to Waverly. We hit it off immediately with shared life experiences in rugby, same-age kids, the Pogues, and a love for staying up later than the neighbors. And then ..... Tom Poier introduced us to water skiing and everything changed. We went in on our first ski together, thinking it would be but a passing fancy, so "why spend the money?", and boooooooooooy were we wrong. Geno and I became dawn patrol addicts, loitering about the beach at sunrise waiting for Tom (or any other neighbor who needed a 3rd) to show with a boat. Eventually, we got good enough to buy our own skis, but I'm guessing Geno still has the original fatty in his garage in Chelan.....In retrospect, those morning hours spent with Geno (+Tom, Grant, Brian, Ty, Mike, Corey, Craig, and many others) were formative. I was a few decades shy of Geno and just starting/trying to make my way in the world, and I had heard a lot of advice from a lot of different people, but what still resonates is his advice to, "Do what you love, but if you can't then get a side hustle."
Damn straight and spot on.
Alas, I moved out of state a decade later and only got to "see" Geno via phone since (to include some most excellent bar calls). I still have the memories though, and I mourn the loss of a good friend and mentor who I always expected to see again and raise a pint with. Goddamit, I miss and love you my friend and wish we could have had another run at the state park glass.
Katie, Maggie and Anna - all of my love to you.
I will always see Geno taking a long walk down the Sammamish path after everyone else is packing it in for the night....
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