Visitation
Graveside Service
Obituary of Frank A. Gengo, Jr.
Frank Anthony Gengo, Jr., “Chick,” loving father, husband, friend, died peacefully in his home in South Salem, NY, of natural causes on May 12, 2021. He was a month shy of 91.
Frank grew up in the Bronx, not far from Arthur Avenue, where as a kid he raised and flew pigeons on the roof of a neighbor’s garage. He attended Barnard School for Boys in Riverdale. His family later moved to Kingsbridge, where met his future wife, Jane Ifwerstrom, at Luhrman’s, the neighborhood ice cream and soda shop. After sleigh-riding with a group of friends, he asked her out on a date. They’ve been inseparable ever since. They were married in 1954, and moved to South Salem in 1958, where they raised three children. Frank served in the Navy Reserve as a medic during the Korean War. He was Lewisboro Democratic Committee Chairman for six years.
Frank worked for Lennon-Peek Surgical Supply Co., in the Bronx, and eventually bought the company with two partners and grew it into a multi-million-dollar international business. The company supplied hospitals in New York City and the tri-state with everything from cotton swabs to high-tech surgical equipment; he also outfitted and equipped hospitals in Haiti and Venezuela. He created a profit-sharing plan for his employees so that when he sold the business they would benefit.
A man of few words, Frank communicated through loving actions. In times of trouble he always showed up. On 9-11, a friend who was working in the city called in a panic, and begged him to come get him. Knowing every alternate route in the city, Frank drove to his friend and brought him home to South Salem. When friends lost their jobs, Frank quietly paid their bills and bought them groceries until they were able to get back on their feet.
He is survived by his brother, Richard, and his wife Gail of Palm Springs, CA, and his sister, Geraldine Gengo of Pelham, NY; wife, Jane, and three children, Lorraine, David and Lisa Gengo; and their spouses Henry Lehr and Linda Gengo; and by three grandchildren, Nicholas Gengo-Lehr, Emma and Joanna Gengo.
The family will receive friends on Friday, May 14th from 2:00 -5:00 pm at Clark Associates Funeral Home, Katonah, NY. A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, May 15th at 12 Noon at South Salem Cemetery, Spring Street, South Salem, NY 10590.
