Geno Carnello – Coal Center

Geno Carnello, 92, of Coal Center, died Dec. 13, 2023. He was born Jan. 27, 1931, in Granville, Pa., son of the late Ben Carnello and Louise Lorezon Carnello. Geno actively served in the U.S. Army from 1952-54 before being discharged at the rank of corporal from Fort George Meade, Md. At discharge, he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal (Korean War). Following active duty discharge, Geno also served six years in the Army Reserve. After leaving the military, he owned and operated Carnello Bus Lines providing school bus services to Charleroi and California Area School Districts, along with an automotive repair shop in Granville until 1992 when he retired. Geno was also a founding member of the California Trojan Booster Club and could be found working at the concession stand every Friday night at Booster Field for California Area High School football games. He thoroughly enjoyed driving the team buses to away games for both girls’ and boys’ sports, and developed special relationships with the coaches and players, giving many of them unique nicknames. In his older age, his love for his family and sports combined as he followed his grandson’s teams across the state for athletic events, which were some of his most cherished memories. During retirement, Geno also spent his time working in the garden and around the house and enjoyed riding his tractor cutting grass and plowing snow. In addition, Geno was also a member of the Italo-American Citizens Club in California, Pa. Geno was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Mary Katherine Carnello, who passed away Jan. 14, 2023; two infant children, Gary and Linda Carnello; his brother, Louis P. Carnello; and his sister, Gloria Zanardini. Left to cherish his memory are his daughter and son-in-law, Debbie Carnello and Kevin Fisher of Coal Center; granddaughter, Lauren Carnello Fisher of Coal Center; grandson, Brian Carnello Fisher of Durham, N.C.; and two special nephews, Carl Lee Zanardini and Louis Carnello. Friends will be received at MARISCOTTI FUNERAL HOME INC., Anthony N. Mariscotti, supervisor, 323 Fourth St., California, PA 15419, from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18, 2023. Funeral services and interment will be private and at the convenience of his family.