John J. Gencarella, 86, beloved husband of Grace (Mastrangelo) Gencarella, of Westerly, passed away at The Westerly Hospital on Thursday, April 20, 2017. Known to many by his infectious smile and jovial personality he was born in Westerly, son of the late James and Annunziata “Nancy” Gencarella. John started his building career in the 1950’s with his uncle Sam Urso. He then began his own business, John J. Gencarella Builder, Inc., which he ran for more than 50 years. During those years he also ran several local business with his siblings such as Mickey Lynn's Bar, the Windswept Inn and Properties Plus. An avid outdoorsman, he loved hunting, fishing and mushrooming. He also enjoyed clamming, gardening, dancing, along with making Soupy and homemade wine. John also traveled the world extensively from Australia to Africa and Alaska. He was a faithful communicant of St. Clare Church and a US Army Veteran of the Korean War. He was a founding member of the Nick Vouno charity fund and a life member of both the Calabrese Society and the Bocce Club. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, the 100 club, and a former member of the Westerly Yacht Club. In addition to his loving wife, he will be dearly missed by his three children, Linda Gencarella-Flynn of Noank, CT, Stephen J. Gencarella of Providence and David A. Gencarella of Orlando, FL. John also leaves four brothers, Samuel “Butch” Gencarella, Louis Gencarella and Paul Gencarella, all of Westerly and James Gencarella of Cos Cob, CT; a sister Nancy Toscano, also of Westerly; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by five siblings, Mary Celestino, Angelina Chester, Joseph and Nate Gencarella and Rosalie Gencarella. Visiting hours will be held on Monday from 4-7pm at Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly. Relatives and friends are also invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10am on Tuesday at St. Clare Church, Crandall Avenue, Westerly. There is no procession from the funeral home. Burial with Full Military Honors will follow at River Bend Cemetery, Westerly. For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com