Obituaries

Anna known to her childhood family and friends as Anna Banana was born in Butler, PA and is survived by her sister Babs Genamore and brother Michael Kramer.

Anna took a chance on love when she met her husband of 45 years Mark Potwora at a drum corps show and moved to Batavia, NY.  Family was everything to Anna.  Her selflessness and unconditional love for her children Nicole McCulloch (and Bill) and Eric Potwora (and Andrea) were unparalleled.  Family was so important that she battled and beat an un-survivable cancer so she could live on to be a caring and adoring Nana to her five grandchildren Lorelai, Molly, Natalie, Lucy and Chloe. Anna had such a giving nature.  She loved shopping for presents for her family and always had to make sure they all had amazing Christmases and birthdays.  That giving heart extended into the community in her jobs at the nursing home, local restaurants and UMMC.  

She always talked about how  grateful she was to be surrounded by family including her Aunt Shirley Zarnick, mother  in law Maxine Potwora, her sister in law Beth Walsh, brother in law Greg Potwora and all her cousins, nieces and nephews. 

Her love of angels was emulated in her contagious laugh, illuminating smile and heart of gold.   

The family will receive friends on Tuesday February 15, 2022 at Resurrection Parish 303 East Main Street Batavia, NY 14020 at 10:15 am. An 11:00AM Mass of Christian will be held at the church following the visitation. A private burial at St. Joseph's cemetery will be held at a later date.  

Contributions may be made to Genesee Cancer Assistance in Anna's memory. To leave thoughts or condolences please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, NY 14020.

William Vincent Leonard III, 50 resident of Cleveland, passed away at his home on January 31, 2022. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to William Jr. and Susan Leonard.

He enjoyed his time working as an EMT and a Firefighter.

Those left behind to cherish his memory is his wife Tina Leonard, daughter, Kim Hawkins (Chris), son Nick Zwetsch, mother and stepfather, Susan Braver and Norman Bower, father and stepmother, William Jr.and Pam Leonard, grandchildren; Christain Cruz, Selena Cruz and Peyton Hawkins, sisters; Tracy Leonard, Donna Wagner, Katherine Greenwald, Brianna Leonard, brother, Joseph Braver, nieces; Susan Greenwald, Winnie Greenwald, Bella Delsinl, nephews; Max Greenwald, David Wagner, Thomas Wagner, brothers in law, Thomas Wagner, Steve McBlane and members of the Fluvanna Fire Dept. including Chief Walid Al-jabiri.

There will be no formal services held at this time. You are encouraged to share a message of condolence by visiting his memorial webpage at www.companionfuneral.com

She leaves behind six siblings, Elizabeth (Sister Carmen) Gualtieri, Salvatore (Patricia) Gualtieri, Nicholas (Janet) Gualtieri, Albert (Mary) Gualtieri, Carmen Gualtieri and Paul (Michael) Gualtieri. She was known as “Aunt Carm” to several nieces and nephews, Rebecca and Andrew Burns, Joseph and David Ianni, Nicholas, Andrea, Joseph and Daniel Gualtieri, Mark and Deanna Gualtieri, Cara and Albert Gualtieri, Michael, Donna and John Gualtieri.

Carmela was born in Batavia NY and lived most of her life on Morton Avenue with the exception of a several year career interval working at the Derby Pharmacy in Derby NY. She served selflessly many years as a member of the St. Jerome Hospital guild. Carmela found particular enjoyment staying in touch with and sharing a meal with old friends from high school, relatives and members of the Italian community of the historic St. Anthony Catholic Church in Batavia. She remained active in parish activities even through those more challenging transitional times.

Carmela served as primary care giver to our mother ensuring her comfort during her aging years. Soon after the death of our mother she took on the role of  family matriarch and her home continued to frequently be the center of family gatherings and focal point of celebrating our family history.

She will be remembered for her generosity, strong personality. independence, compassion, those moments of sage wisdom, strong will and dare I say occasional stubbornness.  

Carmela's services will be held privately at a later date and she will be laid to rest in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Batavia.

Memorials may be made to Sisters of Mercy, 625 Abbott Road, Buffalo, NY 14220, www.sistersofmercy.org/donate.

Please leave a condolence, share a story, or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements for Carmela were entrusted to the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, Batavia (585) 343-8868.

She was born March 4, 1942 in Batavia, a daughter of the late John and Anna Konieczny Ferrara.

She was predeceased by her loving husband, Gerald Rowcliffe, who passed away in 2016. Grandsons, Austin Rowcliffe and Daniel DiFrancesco.

Survivors include her children, Carrie (Joe) Difrancesco, Tara (Mike) Minor and Shawn (Michele) Rowcliffe & her kitty, Marshmallow. Brother, Jack (Joyce) Ferrara. Grandchildren, Madelyn Minor, Travis Minor, Mitchel Minor, Olivia Rowcliffe, Angi DiFrancesco, Leah (TJ) Peca, Jimmy (Lindsay Manning) DiFrancesco, 4 great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at a later date.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at: www.mcandrewfuneralhomes.net.

ARRANGEMENTS WERE ENTRUSTED TO THE J. LEONARD McANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 2 BOGUE AVE., BATAVIA, NY 14020. RONALD KONIECZNY II, DIRECTOR.

Ernie was a veteran of the U. S. Army, spent time stateside and then was sent to Japan & Korea in the early 1950’s, before the Korean War.  Other than his time in the Army, Ernie was pretty much a homebody - and enjoyed when company/relatives came to visit from Switzerland, or friends would stop in to the farm to visit, have a cup of coffee, and solve world problems. 

Ernest and Viola (Gebel) Glaus were married at St. Nicholas Church in North Java on July 24^th, 1954 and were married for 33 years. Vi was his right hand on the farm, yet kept a lovely home & flowerbeds. Vi was a talented cook, homemaker and was actively involved in the community and the Church.  They had 6 children over the course of their marriage. 

Ernie owned and operated a Dairy Farm in Sheldon with his wife Vi who passed in 1987 and then with his son Mark who continues to operate the family farm on Humphrey Road today.  Ernie and his father, Joseph farmed with horses and eventually the horses were replaced by a trusty Farmall M tractor – it was a BIG deal then.   

Ernie loved his Pall Mall Red Cigarettes, Pepsi, sweets, candy bars, a good cup of coffee, his 1994 Chevy Camaro, International/Farmall Tractors, flipping quarters with the guys at L & W - and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his children- Cindy Stoddard (Dale Snyder), Mark, & Dan Glaus, all residing in Varysburg.  Daughter Anne (Steve) Abt, of Lyndonville, and Pete (Cheryl) Glaus, of Attica. Also surviving are 7 Grandchildren and 12 Great-Grandchildren.  A sister, Esther (Glaus) Miller is his only surviving sibling and lives in North Java.   A sister-in-law, Marian (Gebel) LeFort resides in Strykersville, as well as many nieces and nephews.   

Ernie was predeceased by his wife Viola, his son Michael, and grandson Jacob.  Siblings Robert (Huntz), Joseph (Spike) and Ruth Glaus. 

Family will be at the Holy Family Parish from 10:15 AM on Saturday, February 19^, 2022 and a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00AM at Holy Family Parish, 4316 Rt. 98, North Java, NY.  The immediate family (weather permitting) will lay him to rest next to wife Vi in St. Nicholas Cemetery, North Java, NY. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the North Java Fire Company, 4274 Rt. 98 or Charlotte House, 4316 Rt. 98 – both located in North Java, NY  14113. To leave a message of condolence please visit www.marleyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Marley Funeral Home, LLC, 135 Main Street, Attica, New York 14011.

Mrs. Miner was born November 30, 1921 in Bergen, a daughter of the late Joseph and Theresa Beyer.

Eunice loved to tend to her flower gardens and enjoyed bird watching, working her puzzle books, shopping, and playing Euchre. Was was a former member of the International Association of Rebekah Assemblies.

Eunice is the wife of the late Floyd "Tink" Miner.

She is survived by her children, Patricia (Carl) Stephens of Stafford, Sandra (Samuel, Sr.) Moag of Pavilion, and Jean (William ) Sanderson of Lakeland, Florida; grandchildren, Robert Moag, Samuel (Laurie) Moag, Jr., David Stephens, Debbie Wolfe, Andrea Dotson, and Kelly Cooper; great-grandchildren Mandy Mae Moag, Sydney Moag, and Bailey Moag.

Preceded in death by brothers, Bernard (late Ruth) Beyer, and Robert (late Helen) Beyer; sisters, Veronica (late Steve) Stoll, and Agnes (late Jay) Shepard.

A private graveside service will be held in Stafford Rural Cemetery at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make memorial contributions to Volunteers for Animals, PO Box 1621, Batavia, New York 14021.  

Arrangements were entrusted to the Bohm-Calarco-Smith Funeral Home in Batavia. Please leave a condolence, share a story, or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

He was born March 28, 1943, a son of the late Horace and Dorothy Schiller Gage.

Mr. Gage was a Veteran of the U.S. Army, having served his country from 1962-1965.

Survivors include an aunt, Thelma Andrews of Batavia and several cousins.

He was the brother of the late Norma Gage and Alan Gage.

Private services will be conducted at the convenience of the family with burial in Evergreen Hill Cemetery, Corfu, NY.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at: www.mcandrewfuneralhomes.net.

ARRANGEMENTS WERE ENTRUSTED TO THE J. LEONARD McANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 2 BOGUE AVE., BATAVIA, NY 14020. RONALD KONIECZNY II, DIRECTOR.

Bergen - Wilma  M. Blackmon, 55  of Bergen  passed away on Thursday, February 3, 2022 at her home.

She enjoyed playing Bingo, her daily television shows and playing cards. She loved her snacks, especially her "sweets".

Surviving are her children, Gina M. (Robert) Mahonsky of Bergen and Robert (Haily) Smith of Oakfield, four grandchildren, Sophia Velazquez, Oliver Mahonsky, Holden Smith and Micah Smith; her siblings, Sherry Palmieri  of North Carolina, Bonnie Russell of Greece and Lee Blackmon Jr. of Pine City along with several nieces and nephews. 

There are no prior visiting hours. Wilma 's Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 pm on Sunday, February 13th, 2022 from Genesee Country Church, 3268 Drake Street Road, Oakfield. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wilmot Cancer Institute Development Office, Alumni and Advancement Center, PO Box 278996, Rochester, NY 14627 or Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14263.  Please leave a condolence, share a story, or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 51 South Lake Avenue, Bergen.

LeRoy ~ Jacquelyn M. Reamer, age 86, passed away peacefully at home with family present on Friday, February 4th.

     She was born on June 22, 1935, daughter of the late Kenneth and Hazel Maw Harding.

     Jacque graduated from LeRoy Central School and went on to marry her high school sweetheart.  She had several callings in life; including dog grooming and running the corner store.  However, nothing was more important than caring for and spending time with her family.  She enjoyed playing cards and teaching her grandkids how to play poker at a very young age.

     Jacque was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon and infant son, Kevin.  Also predeceased by a special aunt, Mary Wright and cousins, Patricia Harding and Jerry Harding Sr.

     Jacque is survived by her children; Keith (Debbie) Reamer, Kenneth Reamer, Kathy (Dave) Rumery, Kim (Danny) Coates and Kraig (Kris) Reamer.  She will be sadly missed by grandchildren; Keith Jr., Michelle, Melissa (Shane), Lisa, Laura (Joe), David (Vanessa), Barbra (Michael), Heather, Heidi (Bryan), Holley, Jared (Kait) and Rebecca (Colby).  Loved by great-grandchildren; Devon, Chase, Kyle, Selina, Brennan (Destiny), Marianna, Melina, Benito, Jenna, David II, Shelby, Nathan, Khloe, Gideon and Rhett, and great-great-grandson, Greyson.  Jacque is also survived by a special cousin, Robert Harding.

     There are no prior calling hours, however a Celebration of Jacque's Life will be held on Friday, February 18^th at 5pm at the American Legion, 53 West Main Street, LeRoy, N.Y.

     In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the LeRoy Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 56, LeRoy, N.Y.  14482  www.leroyems.org/donations-memorials/

     Your memories and condolences may be shared with Jacque's family at www.falconefuneralhome.com.

     Mrs. Reamer and her family are being cared for by the Falcone Family Funeral & Cremation Service Inc. in LeRoy.  585-768-2400

Henry was born Saturday, April 2nd, 1949 in The Hague, Netherlands a son of the late Lammert Oldenhuis and Dirksje de Vries Oldenhuis.

He immigrated to Elmira in 1957 with his family and graduated from Southside High School in Elmira in 1967 and regularly attended the class reunions.He enjoyed keeping in contact with his classmates. He served with the United States Army as a military policeman from 1969-1971. He worked for Eastman Kodak for 19 years and most recently as a security guard with Graham Corporation in Batavia, NY

He loved watching sports on television, NASCAR was his favorite. He enjoyed woodworking and had an ability to handcraft homemade furniture. He also enjoyed the beauty of the outdoors.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra Sebura Oldenhuis; his son, Dan (Molly) Oldenhuis of Omaha, Nebraska; siblings, Bert (Marion) Oldenhuis of The Hague, Netherlands, Willem Oldenhuis of Virginia, Corrie Dotson of Texas and Jantina (Ken) Mann of West Virginia; his brother-in-law, Steve Josephson of Virginia and several nieces and nephews survive.

He is predeceased by his brother, Jan (late Hennie) Oldenhuis, his twin sister, Marianne Josephson and his brothers-in-law, George Dotson and Alex Glinski.

There are no prior calling hours. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2022 at 11 am at The Elba Baptist Church, 31 South Main Street, Elba. He will be laid to rest in Western New York National Cemetery on Monday April 4, 2022 at 11 am.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Volunteers for Animals, P.O. Box 1621, Batavia, New York 14021.  To leave a condolence, share a story, or light a candle in Henry’s memory, please visit www.burdettandsanford.com.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Burdett & Sanford Funeral Home, 11 Maple Avenue, Oakfield.

Margaret Mary Pettinella was born March 15, 1928 in Oakfield, a daughter of the late Edward and Margaret (Crowley)  Owens.

Margaret Mary very much enjoyed spending time with her family and was looking forward to becoming a great-grandmother.

Margaret Mary is the wife of the late Charles Pettinella who passed away in 2019.

She is survived by her son, Edward (Ann) Pettinella of Pittsford; daughter, Michele Pettinella Worden of Pittsford; former daughter-in-law, Elaine Pettinella of Pittsford; grandchildren, Ryan (fiance Deanna Dougherty) Pettinella of Pittsford, Cory (Courtney) Pettinella of Pittsford, Paige (David) Bloom of Pittsford, Colin Worden of Rochester, and Harrison Worden of Pittsford; sister, Dorothy (late George) Buckenmeyer of Geneseo; sister-in-law, Peggy Owens of Delaware.

Preceded in death by siblings John Owens, Walter (late Laurna) Owens, Patricia (late Richard) Ross.

A private mass of christian burial will be celebrated at the convenience of the family.  Burial will be in Grandview Cemetery in Batavia.  Arrangements for Margaret Mary Pettinella were entrusted to the Bohm-Calarco-Smith Funeral Home, 308 E. Main St., Batavia, (585) 343-5673. Please leave a condolence, share a story, or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Harold was born on June 2, 1930 to the late Richard and Marian (Heintz) Nesbitt of Batavia.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Nan, and 2 sons, David Nesbitt of Pavilion and Thomas (Melanie) Nesbitt of Byron and a grandson, Connor Nesbitt of Vermont as well as nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Harold was pre-deceased by sisters, Virginia Mericle and Dorothy Nesbitt, brother, Paul Nesbitt, Sr., father and mother-in-law Howard M. and Myrtle Killian, brother-in-law, Howard R. (Judy) Killian, niece, Linda Mericle and nephew, Steven Nesbitt.

Harold graduated from Batavia High School in 1948 and joined the Navy shortly after.  Upon returning home from service, Harold worked for the U.S.P.S. in Batavia as a letter carrier until his retirement.  He then became a full time carpenter and you could find him doing odd jobs for people all over western NY. Harold was a Cub Scout leader for many years at the First Methodist Church in Batavia, Pack 6.  He also loved to travel and hiked almost all of the Appalachian Trial.  Harold was a member of the Morganville United Church of Christ.

Harold’s Memorial Service will be held at a later date at Morganville United Church of Christ.  He will be laid to rest with military honors in Grandview Cemetery, Batavia.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Genesee County Animal Shelter, 3841 West Main Street Road, Batavia, NY or Morganville United Church of Christ, 8466 Morganville Road, Stafford, NY  14143

Please leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are being handled by H.E. Turner Funeral Home in Batavia, (585) 343-8868.