Page 22 - North Haven Magazine Issue 32 Winter 2024

by Mark R. Genovese
I'M NOT FAMOUS,

and Don’t Ever Expect To Be.

Hi, my name is Mark R. Genovese and I recently completed writing
and publishing a book titled “I’M NOT FAMOUS.” This title was cho-
sen because during my four years serving in the Unites States Ma-
rine Corps and then as a police officer for 35 years, I was involved
in many significant events. These events occurred overseas, with-
in the State of Connecticut and locally here in North Haven. I am
not an actor that you would recognize. I am not a professional
sportsperson who has set records and I am not involved in politics.
I am a typical American who loves his country, his hometown, his
family and his friends.

hen my doctors diagnosed me with Parkinson’s During my retirement, I have had the opportunity to
Wdisease over ten years ago, they told me it was work with and help veterans, which keeps me busy. In
important to keep my body moving and my mind sharp. addition to this, I continue to keep my body moving by

Keeping my body moving was clear cut, but to keep my going to the gym, hunting, gardening, clamming and
mind sharp, they suggested doing crossword puzzles, mushrooming. I go metal detecting and fishing with my
putting together jig saw puzzles, reading books, keep- childhood friends and am always looking to add to my
ing a diary or writing a book. I chose to write a book, coin and autographed baseball collections.
which I began writing long hand five years ago, but with
the help of my wife Caren, it was finally finished on my Being a lifelong resident of North Haven has made me
daughter’s laptop. appreciate everything that I have. It has given me a
place to raise my children, Steven and Amanda, and
I wrote a book to hopefully delay the effects of the dis- spend time with my wife, close friends and family that
ease. I am unsure if that is true, but the chapters in the still live here locally.
book have shaped the man I am today, including how I
am dealing with Parkinson’s Disease. I also wrote it to I don’t know how much longer I will be able to keep Par-
show veterans and first responders not to give up or kinson’s disease from taking away some of the things
quit when you are dealing with an illness, injury or other we all take for granted in life, but with any luck and the
serious problem. These people, who I have spent my help of family and friends, the hope is to keep it at bay
adult life with, are not celebrities, sports stars or politi- for a while. My plan is to write another book to continue
cians, but they are important. They may not be famous, to keep my mind active and I proudly stand by the state-
but their lives matter. ment, “I’M NOT FAMOUS,” and Don’t Ever Expect To Be.

My time in the Marine Corps was only four years, most
of it spent oversees as an American Embassy Security
Guard. This experience allowed me to be involved in
some historical events and meet and speak with people
such as a President, Vice President, Secretaries of State
and people of authority in foreign countries.

My police career spanned five decades, beginning in
1979 and ending when I retired in 2015, having reached
the rank of captain. Some of the most interesting sto-
ries during my time in North Haven can be found in my
book…. I have been retired now for 8 ½ years and still
see and keep in touch with quite a few members (both
former and present) of the North Haven Police Depart-
ment, many of whom are mentioned in this book. The
brotherhood forged by the police is a bond that will nev- GET IT ON
er be broken.

22 North Haven Magazine - Winter Issue 2024