1946 – 2019 (July 21)
Anthony Michael Genovese was born on October 27, 1946, on Staten Island, New York, the son of Anthony Genovese and Margaret McCloskey. He attended the Academy of Saint Dorothy from 1950 to 1954, and Saint Anne Parish School, from 1954 to 1959. In 1961 he enrolled at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, and was received into the Order of Saint Augustine as a novice on September 9, 1965. He professed simple vows at Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, New York on September 10, 1966 and then attended Villanova University, where he received his BA in Philosophy in 1970. He pursued theological studies at the Washington Theological Union from 1970 until 1973 and professed solemn vows on October 12, 1970. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 16, 1973, at Our Mother of Consolation Church, Chestnut Hill, PA., by Bishop Walter Sullivan, Bishop of Richmond, Virginia.
Father Mickey was assigned to Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Parish, Bronx, New York, as parochial assistant. From there, he coordinated The Marriage Encounter Movement on Staten Island, New York. In 1977, he was assigned to Assumption/Saint Paul Parish, Mechanicville, New York, first as parochial assistant, and then as pastor, from 1978 to 1983. In 1983, he returned to Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Parish, Bronx, New York, as pastor, where he served on various community boards, and in 1986, was elected Chair of the Board of the University Heights Development Corporation.
In September 1986, Father Mickey was appointed Pastor of Saint Thomas of Villanova Parish, Villanova. As pastor, he oversaw the complete renovation of the campus church in 1993. From 1994 to 2006, he preached parish renewals and workshops around the United States with the theme: “Believe the Good News…We Are Loved.” In 2006, he was appointed prior of Saint Thomas Monastery, Villanova, with responsibility for the health care of the elder and infirm friars of the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova.
Father Mickey was elected Prior Provincial of the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova, on February 18, 2010, and was installed in this office on June 16th, during the Ordinary Provincial Chapter. Following the Provincial elections of 2014, he retired due to health concerns and continued to reside at Saint Thomas of Villanova Monastery, where he died suddenly on Sunday, July 21, 2019.
Father Mickey’s physical stature and booming voice, which he used to great advantage in his preaching ministry, were never able to conceal his warm and outgoing personality, nor a heart motivated by devotion and care especially for the weak and needy. He passed away suddenly on Sunday, July 21, 2019 in his room at Saint Thomas Monastery, after several years of declining health and repeated surgeries.
The Funeral Mass was celebrated on July 25, 2019 in Saint Thomas of Villanova Church by Father Michael Di Gregorio, O.S.A., Prior Provincial. Father Gary McCloskey, O.S.A., Father Mickey’s cousin, was the homilist. Burial took place the following morning in Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, PA.
