Obituary of William J. Genco

William John Genco passed away peacefully surrounded by his family in Darien, Connecticut on December 12, 2025. Bill was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He will be remembered for his humor, wit, loyalty, generosity, and the joy he took in being with family and friends.

Born January 1, 1948, to William T. and Madeline M. Genco, Bill was "born and raised" in Bay Ridge. After commuting daily from Brooklyn to Fordham University to earn a degree in Finance, the first college graduate of his family, he graduated with his MBA from New York University in 1971. From there, he began an extraordinary career in the financial services industry.

He joined Merrill Lynch's Global Securities Research and Economics group in 1971 and spent over 30 years of his career at "Mother Merrill" where he made many lifelong friends. From an entry level position, he rose to Managing Director having covered the Environmental Services, Industrial Machinery, and Transportation Industries. He was named to the Institutional Investor "All-American Research Team" for twenty-five consecutive years and voted "Best on the Street" by the Wall Street Journal numerous times. Bill served as President of the Environmental Control Analysts Group and in 2002 he was named inaugural Chairman of Merrill Lynch's Research Recommendations Committee.

Bill retired from Merrill Lynch in 2004 to spend more time with his family. However, his love for his profession endured. Shortly after "retiring," he formed WJP Associates, from which he mentored research analysts in a variety of sectors for nearly 20 additional years. While he enjoyed his career in its entirety, it was mentoring analysts, that he found particularly fulfilling. He often stated that some of the happiest moments of his career were when he saw one his mentees quoted in business publications, appear on CNBC or Bloomberg, or move up the rankings of various investor surveys.

Devoted to his family, he shared 40 wonderful years of marriage with his wife, Mary Patricia Genco. With Mary, he shared joy, companionship, traveled the world, and raised three sons, all of whom he admired and adored.

Even with a demanding career, he always found time for his family and a parade of golden retrievers, each of which he treated like royalty. He was an avid collector of O Gauge Lionel Trains, a hobby that started as a young boy as a Christmas gift. For over 65 years Bill could always find tranquility at a simple cabin on a lake in New York. Countless hours were spent swimming, waterskiing, boating, and kayaking, first as a young boy and later as a father and grandfather.

Bill is survived by his wife Mary, their three sons: Billy (Michelle); John (Kaitlin); Paul and grandchildren, Emilia and Patrick.

He was predeceased by his parents William T. and Madeline M. Genco and his grandson William Joseph Genco.

Visitation will be held on Thursday December 18, 2025 from 4 to 7 PM at Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien CT 06820. Mass will be on Friday December 19, 2025 at 10:30 AM at St. John Church, 1986 Post Road, Darien CT 06820. Entombment is private.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in his name.

Lawrence Funeral Home