Nick Genitempo, dead after motorcycle toy run, didn't want to let others down

ST. LUCIE COUNTY − Nick Genitempo in February 2022 lost his wife after she fought with cancer and COVID.

Genitempo, 65, had his own fight with cancer, and struggled with the passing of his spouse of many years, Penny Sue Genitempo, according to friends and family.

But after purchasing a Honda Gold Wing trike, or three-wheel motorcycle, and connecting along with a friend with the Blue Angels Public Safety Motorcycle Club, his spirits rose.

The motorcycle group has 15 members and is involved in charitable initiatives, club president Jerry Rothman said.

Nick Genitempo’s son, Joseph Genitempo, 42, said his father’s introduction to the group helped his sadness fade.

“You just watched it week after week, as he was riding with them, just slip into the background,” the younger Genitempo said in a recent interview. “He was happy again, knowing that someday, when it was time, he would be back with her and he started coming to terms with it, and they helped.”

Nick Genitempo died Dec. 10 after apparently experiencing a medical episode during the St. Lucie Sheriff’s Police Athletic League Toy Run.

Rothman, who retired in 2020 as a major with the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, said from what he was told, Nick Genitempo initially left the road and corrected before he appeared to slump over and went off the motorcycle.

“The bike basically went off the road, and ended up hitting a tree,” Rothman said.

The incident happened about 11:20 a.m. in the 1800 block of South Indian River Drive, according to Fort Pierce Police spokesperson Larry Croom. Nick Genitempo was taken to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce where he was pronounced dead at 12:16 p.m., Croom said.

“He was just one of the hardest working men I ever got the pleasure of growing up and knowing,” Joseph Genitempo said.

Alex Gialousis, 65, of Port St. Lucie, said he met Nick Genitempo and his wife about 20 years ago when they moved in next to them.

'Brothers from another mother'

Gialousis said he shared the same date of birth as Nick Genitempo.

“Brothers from another mother, as he used to alway term it,” Gialousis said. “For the better part of 18-plus years we were friends, neighbors; we would get together, typical couple stuff.”

Gialousis said the Genitempos were self-employed, with Penny Sue Genitempo cleaning homes and her husband involved in work including auto detailing and pressuring cleaning.

Nick Genitempo always offered help to those in need, and was described as neighborly and friendly.

“Whether it's a lawn-mowing service, or auto detailing, and with Penny with the house cleaning and house care, they were forever integrated in the community,” Gialousis said.

Gialousis, a longtime motorcycle rider, said his own motorcycle was a big topic of conversation with Nick Genitempo, who earlier in life had a Honda Gold Wing.

When his wife passed, Nick Genitempo “struggled emotionally trying to pick up the pieces of his life,” Gialousis said.

He purchased a Honda Gold Wing trike on Facebook, and “from there, a lot of his attention and effort went into restoring it, getting it clean,” Gialousis said.

“All of that loss of Penny now had someplace else it could go,” Gialousis said.

Nick Genitempo, a native of New Jersey, and Gialousis ended up connecting with the Blue Angels motorcycle group.

“He always had a saying of paying it forward, doing for the next, is like having a piece of history passed on, or at least a piece of love passed on,” Joseph Genitempo said.

Rothman said the group’s members have first responder or military backgrounds, though others have civilian backgrounds.

“We're all motorcycle enthusiasts, but we also dedicate our time to raising money to go out and give back,” he said.

'Beaming smile on his face'

The motorcycle club is involved in charitable events, including Christmas and back-to-school initiatives.

“We have pictures of him walking around with a kid and you can just see the beaming smile on his face,” Rothman said.

Joseph Genitempo said his dad had hundreds of photos with the group, and returned from rides all smiles, telling stories of where they’d ridden, what they’d done.

“When he started telling me about that's what they're all about is doing for the community, helping people, lifting people up that need it … the passion in him that lit back up again, it was amazing,” Joseph Genitempo said.

Joseph Genitempo said his father had stage 3 cancer affecting his lungs. The younger Genitempo and others said Nick Genitempo sometimes complained of pains, but dismissed them as the result of physical labor.

“With everything the Blue Angels gave back to him, and coming to terms with everything, I think he was just at a point where he didn't want to upset anybody or let anybody down,” Joseph Genitempo said.

He said he thought his dad might have had a realization.

“If it's going to be my time, I'll finally be with my wife again,” Joseph Genitempo said. “Let alone on a ride doing what he loved with the Blue Angels.”

A memorial service will be Dec. 20 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Forest Hills Palm City Chapel, 2001 S.W. Murphy Road.

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Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Nick Genitempo died after motorcycle toy run in Fort Pierce