Gustine “Gus” DeGennaro Jr., 81, Altoona, passed away Saturday at Hershey Medical Center, surrounded by his family, after an automobile accident.

He was born in Altoona, son of the late Gustino and Margaret (Sicone) DeGennaro. He later married his wife, Winifred “Winnie” Conrad.

Surviving are his devoted wife; two daughters: Theresa (Jeff) Hollingshead and Patty (Paul) Dixon, both of Altoona; three sons: Rick DeGennaro and Jeff (Nikki) DeGennaro, both of Altoona, and Alan (Tiffany) DeGennaro of Pittsburgh; 10 grandchildren: Brittney (Sean) Graziosi of Altoona, Mathew (Julie) Hollingshead, Michael Hollingshead and Kyla Hollingshead, all of Pittsburgh, McKenna Dixon of Philadelphia, Marina Dixon of Pittsburgh, Paige, Taylor and Alexander DeGennaro, all of Altoona, and Julian DeGennaro of Pittsburgh; four sisters and four brothers: Faye Dodson in Virginia, and Mary Louise (Michael) DiRenzo, Jeanne DeGennaro, June Alice (Gerald) Osmolinski, John (Doris) DeGennaro, James (Genny) DeGennaro, Joseph (Patricia) DeGennaro and Robert (Jan) DeGennaro, all of Altoona; and a sister-in-law, Jeannie of Altoona.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Albert; and four sisters: Christine Wills, Angie McAlarney, Margaret Jane Spinnazzola and Mary Ann.

Gus was the middle of 14 siblings. He was a dedicated businessman and owner of DeGennaro’s Sunoco and DeGennaro’s Used Cars for nearly half a century. He continued to work five days a week, and local friends were always welcomed at the 7 and 10 a.m. coffee breaks.

He enjoyed watching the Pittsburgh Steelers, hunting and going to camp. His favorite hobby was playing craps in casinos. His proudest love was his family: his wife, children and grandchildren. Gus and Winnie were inseparable. Next to that were his siblings, who dined together daily and prayed together in the same church that they were raised in. “A familia,” he would say. An event never took place without Gus playing the accordion. He will be sadly missed by his loving family, friends and customers.

“God is getting a true gem and the rock of our lives.”

Friends will be received from 1 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, 2018, at Santella Funeral Home, Altoona. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Altoona. Committal will be at Calvary Cemetery, Altoona.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Altoona, or, in honor of his son-in-law, to LiveLikeLou Foundation, 2 South Cam­pus Ave., Oxford, OH 45056 or online at LiveLikeLou.org.