Hodges Funeral Home at Memorial Gardens
Bruce James Genovese, MD, passed away on April 16, 2021 in Naples, Florida, following a 35 year battle with cancers. A man of extraordinary determination, courage and perseverance, he always had faith that he would beat back the disease and return to the activities he loved. Time and again he did.
Born in the Bronx in 1944 to Nicholas and Roselle Genovese, Bruce's family later moved to Wantagh, New York. After graduating from Chaminade High School he attended Georgetown University, his beloved alma mater, where he achieved a bachelor's degree in history cum laude in 1966. A devout Catholic his entire life, Bruce deliberated between the priesthood and medicine, two professions through which he felt he could best serve others. In love with Anne, his childhood sweetheart, Bruce chose medicine and remained at Georgetown, graduating their medical school in 1970. Bruce and Anne married in 1967 and have spent the 54 years since building a close and loving family.
Following medical school, Bruce continued his training in Boston and Washington, DC. From 1973-75 he served in the Air Force at the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. Thereafter he returned to Washington to complete a Cardiology Fellowship at Georgetown.
In 1977 Bruce and Anne moved their young family to Ann Arbor, Michigan. Here he began a long and distinguished career in medical practice, joining Drs. Judge and VandenBelt at Michigan Heart, a private cardiovascular practice at Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital, where Bruce helped patients for 33 years before retiring in 2010. In addition to being a highly respected clinician and an exceptional and frequently honored teacher in the residency program, Bruce served as President of the Huron Valley Physicians Association. In this capacity he was responsible for leading the organization through the development of a robust clinical quality management program and was widely respected for his ability to negotiate fair contracts with insurance providers.
As a clinician, Bruce contributed to introducing many new diagnostic and interventional procedures to his practice and the broader health system. In 1981, he became the first physician in the world to implant a rate responsive pacemaker, designed by Medtronic, that automatically adjusts its pacing to respond to the demands of the body's circulatory system. Before the end of the decade, this new technology was helping over 100,000 patients worldwide. It is now the standard.
Attracted to the business advancement of cardiology practices, Bruce returned to school to get his MHSA from the University of Michigan. Serving on the Board and as the first Medical Director of the Michigan Heart and Vascular Institute, Bruce worked closely with his surgical colleagues and the Saint Joseph Mercy Health System to develop a cardiovascular service line model that was imitated by many other health care organizations around the U.S.
Bruce's primary professional love was the Michigan Heart practice. He provided valuable leadership as a Board member for many years, serving as President of the Board from 1998 until his retirement. He was a tireless worker and will always be remembered for his energy and enthusiasm.
In retirement, Bruce and Anne moved to Naples, Florida, where Bruce volunteered his time, expertise and vitality at the Senior Friendship Clinic and the Neighborhood Clinic.
Bruce is survived by his loving wife, Anne; by his three children, Kristen, Adam, and Paige; by his five grandchildren, Nora, Theodora, Clare, Alya, and Alexandra; and by his sister, Donna, and her children, Matthew and Rachel. Bruce's passions were his family, his friends, and helping others. But he also loved the Beach Boys, Gregorian chants, travel, fly fishing, sailing, skiing, kayaking and the beach. Bruce was tireless to the end and ever in action, pausing only for prayer and to watch the sunset with the love of his life, Anne. A prodigious presence in the lives of all who knew him, he leaves a hole larger than he could ever imagine.
The Funeral Mass will be held on June 16th at 10am at St. John the Evangelist Church, Naples, FL. If you wish, in lieu of flowers please donate in Bruce's name to Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, FL 34105.
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