Father-in-law of Harvard resident, former consultant
Albert Ginouves. (Courtesy photo)
Albert Gerard (Jerry) Ginouves, the father-in-law of Sue Ginouves of Harvard, passed away peacefully at home in Brooksville, Florida, on Nov. 1, 2016, after a brief illness. He was born Feb. 28, 1925, in Bergenfield, New Jersey, the oldest of four children born to the late Albert P. and Consuelo (Parga) Ginouves.
He graduated from high school in Brooklyn, New York, in 1943 and immediately joined the Navy. As part of an officer training program, he studied engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology. In 1946 he was commissioned as an ensign, serving first on the USS Scania and then on the USS General H. W. Butner, moving troops and supplies to Japan, China, Guam, and elsewhere in the Pacific. After his release from active duty in 1947, he started his professional career at Chase Brass in Waterbury, Connecticut, then moved to Permacel Tape in Middlesex County, New Jersey, and eventually to the management consulting division of Price Waterhouse in Manhattan, Boston, and Hartford, Connecticut. From 1948 to 1978 he was married to Valeska Hammer, with whom he raised five children.
In 1980 Albert married Linda Petillo of Monmouth Beach, New Jersey. After he left Price Waterhouse to start his own consulting business, they moved to Vero Beach, Florida. Linda passed away in 1992 after a battle with cancer, ending what Al called the happiest 12 years of his life. In 1994 he moved to Dunedin, Florida, and continued to work until he retired in 1997. He was briefly married to his third wife, Anne Jeffry. Al moved to Brooksville, Florida, in 2001, where two of his daughters were living. He continued his role as chaplain of the Dunedin-Clearwater Elks Lodge and was very proud of his work with the Elks scholarship program. His time as a direct care volunteer with hospice was also deeply rewarding.
Al was a lover of classical music, theater, and opera, especially live performances. He enjoyed taking cultural package tours to New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Paris, often packing in two or three events a day. A serious audiophile, he would listen to music at home on his custom-made stereo system.
Albert also loved sports, especially skiing, tennis, and golf. He had to give up golf after a back injury, but he continued to play tennis until a year ago when he fell on the court and broke his hip. A stoic by nature, he characteristically demanded to be taken home and not to the hospital. The inevitable surgery was successful, and Al applied himself to rehabilitation with his usual determination and vigor. He was still living independently and driving the week before he died.
Besides his beloved second wife, Linda, Al was predeceased by his sister, Jeanne Gregorich; his brother Paul; his first wife, Valeska; and sadly, his oldest child, Karla Ginouves, and youngest child, Peter Ginouves of Harvard (2015).
He is survived by three children and a daughter-in-law: Connie Swanzer of Ringoes, New Jersey; Albert Ginouves of Lakeville, Connecticut; Michele Ginouves of Brooksville, Florida, who felt fortunate to be able to care for him with help from hospice for the final week of his life; and Sue Ginouves of Harvard. He is also survived by his brother Dr. Edward Ginouves, of Hudson, New York; two stepdaughters, Theresa Harmon of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Casandra Petillo of Palm City, Florida; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and his companion of eight years, Renate Baumgartner of Brooksville.
A private service will be held in Brooksville in early February 2017. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Dunedin-Clearwater Elks Lodge Scholarship Fund at: Secretary, Dunedin-Clearwater Elks Lodge 1525, 1240 San Christopher Drive, Dunedin, FL 34698.
