Francis J. Genusa Sr.A funeral mass celebrating the life of Francis James Genusa Sr., age 77, of Monroe, will be held at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at Jesus the Good Shepherd Church. Officiating will be Father Joe Puthupally, Father Keith Garvin and Father Job Scaria. Interment will follow at Mulhearn Memorial Park under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Monroe. Francis was born on Sept. 13, 1939, and died on May 5, 2017, after a battle with cancer. He was a lifelong resident of Monroe. He was President of his Senior Class at Neville High School and earned his B.S. from LSU and his M.Ed. at ULM. Francis was preceded in death by his son Francis J. Genusa, Jr.; and his parents, Anthony "Tony" and Eunice (Scalia) Genusa. Francis is survived by his wife of 55 years, Cherry Tousinau Genusa; brother, Vincent A. Genusa; and sisters, JoAnn Genusa Busby (Jarrell) and Judy Genusa Adams (Gary). He is also survived by his daughters; Ann Genusa Williamson (Ronnie) and Rachel Genusa Dickey; grandchildren, Ashley Genusa, Francis J. Genusa III, Cole Williamson, Charlie Dickey, Clesi Dickey, and Christian Dickey; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and godchildren. One of Francis' passions was his beloved LSU Tigers and the years he spent playing baseball there. The "Golden Greek", as he was affectionately called, was a one-time Tiger Team Captain and was inducted into the LSU Baseball Hall of Fame hours before he passed away. As the old story goes, he met a girl, fell in love, and moved home to start a life with her. Francis and Cherry opened Genusa's Restaurant together 50 years ago. Through their love, care and guidance, it grew into a beautiful business that thrives today. Francis enjoyed sitting in the family room at Genusa's daily to greet and talk to customers, salesmen, and delivery men, most of whom became his lifelong friends. The sport of golf was his love. He enjoyed traveling tournaments with Francis, Jr. and used his talents to mentor many young lives. Francis' Catholic faith was of utmost importance to him and as the grand patriarch of his family, he instilled the same values in his children and grandchildren. The family lovingly acknowledges friends, customers, and employees for their kindnesses shown during Francis' illness, including St. Joseph's Hospice and Dr. Greg Green. We would like to express our ultimate gratitude to his faithful friend and driver to and from chemo treatments, Jimmy Smith. Pallbearers will be Cole Williamson, Francis J. Genusa III, Charlie Dickey, Christian Dickey, Mark Adams, Bob Cooper, and Ronald Williamson. Honorary pallbearers will be the 1961 SEC Championship Baseball team of LSU, especially Fred "Lefty" Southerland. Visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M., Monday, May 8, 2017 at Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Monroe on Lamy Lane. Memorials may be made in Francis' memory to St. Vincent de Paul, 502 Grammont Streeet, Monroe, LA 71201 or the Catholic Charity Fund at Jesus the Good Shepherd Church, 2510 Emerson Street Monroe, LA 71201. Online condolence messages may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.Kilpatrick Funeral HomesMonroe, LA