Obituaries

Age 89, of Batavia, died peacefully Friday June 3, 2016 at the LeRoy Village Green Nursing Home surrounded by her family. She was born February 15, 1927 in Batavia, NY, a daughter of the late Angelo and Adeline (Sangus) Cecere; also preceded in death by her husband, Francis X. "Babe" Gioia; son, John Gioia; grandsons, Jason Gioia and Teddy Corbett; brothers, Anthony, Joseph, Victor, Arthur, Louis, Lester, Richard and William Cecere; sisters, Dolores Figlow, Mary Chaya and Edna Predmore. 

Mrs. Gioia was one of 14 in her family and along with her husband raised 7 of their own and worked as a telephone operator prior to having a family. She was a lifelong member of St. Mary's R.C. Church, served on the bereavement committee now Resurrection Parish, member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Gold Star Mothers, St. Jerome Hospital Guild and volunteered as an escort. Dolly was avid Buffalo Bills and New York Yankees fan and enjoyed travelling to PA and Texas and wintered there with their son. 

Surviving are her loving children, Frank (Patti) Gioia of Batavia, Angelo (Tina) Gioia of TX, Christine (Bill Adams) Corbett of PA, Adeline (Thomas) Losito of Syracuse, Teresa (Timothy) Bartz of Corfu and Rose Marie Brown of NC; brother, Donald Cecere of FL; sister-in-law, Mary G. Cecere of Batavia; 14 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews. 

The family will be present from 4 - 8PM on Monday June 6 at the MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK 14020, where prayers will be recited 9:30AM Tuesday June 7 followed by a 10:00AM Mass of Christian Burial at Resurrection Parish (St, Mary's Site). She will be laid to rest in St. Joseph's Cemetery and memorials in her memory are suggested to Crossroads House 11 Liberty Street Batavia. 

Please share your thoughts and memories of Dolly with her family at www.tomaszewskifh.com 

THE FAMILY OF DOLLY GIOIA IS BEING CARED FOR BY THE MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK 14020.

He was born March 17, 1949 in Batavia, NY, a son of the late Edward and Mary Rutkowski Maliszewski.

Casimer was a graduate of Alexander High School where he was valedictorian of his class. He would later graduate from the University of Buffalo Pharmacy School and worked in the area as a pharmacist for Alberty’s Drug Store and Kmart, prior to his retirement. He had a passion for farming and took part in the operations of the family farm, where he was known in the area for his tractor mechanics. He was a very religious man was a member of Resurrection Parish in Batavia.

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Mocciaro Maliszewski of Batavia. Step-children, Patricia Meyers of Batavia, Joseph Mordell of Batavia and Janet (William) Plock of Owego, NY. Also survived by 9 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was the brother of the late E. Ronald Maliszewski.

Family and friends are cordially invited to share thoughts, condolences and fond memories on Tuesday (June 7th) from 1-4pm at the J. LEONARD MCANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 2 Bogue Ave., Batavia. His Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, 9:30am at Resurrection Parish, 303 East Main St., Batavia. He will be laid to rest in Grandview Cemetery.

For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation or the American Diabetes Association. Expressions of condolence 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.

The family of Richard 'Dick' Calkins wishes to thank all the people who attended the memorial, sent cards, flowers, food and offered other expressions of sympathy during this time.

Lois Calkins

Sue & Mark Pervoch

Karen Mills

Rick & Dawn Calkins

Age 72, of Batavia, died Sunday May 29, 2016 at United Memorial Medical Center. She was born February 16, 1944 in Java Center, NY a daughter of the late Arthur and Irene (Conrad) Luthart also preceded in death by 3 sisters and 6 brothers. 

Mrs. Hough was a member of the Batavia Assembly of God Church, formerly worked at J.J. Newberry and Jackson School. She had a passion for cooking and baking, but most of all being a wife and mother. 

Surviving is her loving husband of 45 years, Henry Hough of Batavia; sons, Mark of LeRoy, James A. of Batavia and Matthew (Vicki) of Irondequoit; brothers, Arthur Luthart of Middleport, Dave Luthart of Medina and sister, Pat (Doug) Hessler of Alabama; grandchildren, Aaron, Brandi, Morgan, Faith & Olivia along with many nieces and nephews. 

The family will be present from 11-1PM Thursday June 2 at the MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK 14020 where funeral services will begin at 1:00PM, she will be laid to rest in Elmwood Cemetery and memorials in her memory are suggested to Assembly of God Church 24 North Spruce Street Batavia, NY. 

Please share your memories of Nancy with her family at http://www.tomaszewskifh.com and for more information please call Michael at (585)343-7500. 

THE FAMILY OF NANCY J. HOUGH IS BEING CARED FOR BY THE MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK.

Ralph was born on December 24, 1926.  Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Seward and Kathryn (Dustin) Houseknecht; four brothers (Paul, Seward, Richard and brother Robert); a son Edward; and grandson Michael earlier this year.

Ralph is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Agnes (Moynihan) Houseknecht;  their children: Greg of Batavia, Ralph Jr. (Katy) of Silver Springs, Mary Kay (Bill) Barton of Silver Springs, Tom (Lynn) Houseknecht of Batavia, Tim (Sue) Houseknecht of Interlaken, John Houseknecht of Wyoming, and Katie (Gary) Berger of Stafford; beloved grandchildren: Joshua, Will, Paul, Mark, Craig, Eric, Ted, Sarah, Jake, Sara, Jack, and Bella; great grandchildren, Meghan and Ella, and their Mom, Jen (Thornton) Houseknecht;  sisters-in-law, Frances (Moynihan) Driscoll of Batavia, Barbara Houseknecht (Greensboro, N.C.), and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Ralph left high school early to join the service during World War II, where he served in the U.S. Navy after training at the Sampson Naval Training Station on Seneca Lake. Ralph was deployed to the Pacific, where he served with the Seabees, part of the Naval Construction Forces.  When the war ended, Ralph returned safely home to Batavia and finished high school, after which he and his sweetheart, Agnes, were wed on April 3, 1948 at St. Mary’s Church in Batavia. They settled on Franklin Street next to Aggie’s parents, started their family, and Ralph began his career at Pepsi-Cola.  

The loss of Ralph and Aggie’s third child Edward at the age of three spurred a lifelong dedication to supporting the Genesee County ARC in Batavia. Pepsi-Cola of Batavia was the first business in the area to hire ARC associates, twice earning ARC’s business of the year award. Ralph humbly accepted the award, saying, “We do it out of love.”  In his many years managing Pepsi, Ralph was a firm believer that you should never ask an employee to do something that he wouldn’t do himself.  His door was always open for any employee or customer to come in, creating a true family atmosphere in the workplace.

Ralph was a loving, dedicated husband and father, who was always at Sunday Mass with Agnes and their family. When one of his grandsons asked their Grandpa what he thought was the biggest problem in the world today, Ralph replied without hesitation, “The breakdown of the family.” Ralph was a great example of what a father should be: loving, caring, forgiving, and funny. Ralph’s friends and golfing buddies will remember him as the guy who always loved a good joke.  

Ralph always showed his unwavering love, no matter the circumstance, and was always ready to lend a hand financially to anyone who needed it. Ralph’s children and grandchildren are forever grateful for the man he was, and his spirit will live on in them. Ralph will be missed, not only by his family, but his friends, employees and the community he loved.

Friends are invited to call on Saturday June 4, 2016 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon at Resurrection Parish (St. Joseph’s Church) 303 East Main Street Batavia, New York 14020. A 12:00 Noon Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow calling hours. Mr. Houseknecht will be laid to rest in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Batavia.

Flowers are graciously declined. Memorials may be made to Genesee ARC, 64 Walnut Street, Batavia, NY 14020 or Notre Dame High School 73 Union St. Batavia. For more information please call (585) 343-8260 or to leave a message of condolence visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020.  

He is survived by his children John (Ashley) Kirkgasser, Christine (Kenneth) Schwab and Leslie (Christopher) Duffy, and his grandchildren Lindsay and Laura Schwab and Christopher and Faelyn Duffy.

A graduate of Palmyra High School, Ray was a gifted athlete playing both varsity  baseball and basketball beginning in the eighth grade. Ray’s love of the outdoors was established at a very young age. His grandfather gifted Ray with the skill and methods of fishing, trapping and hunting. After high school, Ray attended Ithaca College where he was an instrumental basketball and baseball player. Ray was inducted in Ithaca’s Athletic Hall of Fame with the distinction of being the only Ithaca College athlete to be drafted by the NBA. Ray was a 1951 draft choice of the Syracuse Nationals Basketball team and also received an offer to play professional baseball with the Philadelphia Phillies. Ray was also proud to have trained and tried out for the Brooklyn Dodgers as well. After receiving his Masters degree in Physical Education in 1952, Ray enlisted in the Army to support the Korean War effort. Trained to intercept Morse code, Ray was deployed to a base in Germany. Soon after deployment, the base commander re-assigned Ray to be captain, coach and star player of the command’s basketball team and after two seasons, became the base’s athletic director. After his discharge, Ray began teaching physical education at Perry Central School where he met his wife Margaret. He spent 23 years coaching baseball and also served as director of athletics during his 30 years there. Ray  purchased Mack’s Boat Livery on Silver Lake in 1979 and was proud to have his wife, children and friends help him operate the marina for many years. Ray was very passionate about his many lifelong hobbies. Besides being an avid sportsman, Ray enjoyed gardening, building remote control airplanes, raising ducks and birds, maintaining his ponds and property, and following his favorite sports teams. Some of Ray’s most treasured adventures included traveling with his family and/or numerous buddies to fish or hunt in Germany, Quebec, Montana, Alaska, Florida and Prince Edward Island. As a devoted husband, father and grandfather, Ray was always pleased to share and celebrate the success of his wife, children and grandchildren. Ray had a great sense of humor, was lucky to live a long, beautiful, and healthy life and most certainly provided his family and large circle of dear friends with precious memories to cherish forever.

Friends may call from 2:00-4:00PM and 7:00-8:00PM on Saturday June 4, 2016 at Eaton-Watson Funeral Home, LLC. 98 North Main Street Perry, NY 14530. A Celebration of Ray’s life will follow at 8:00PM at the Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Perry Central School Athletics, 33 Watkins Ave. Perry, NY 14530 and Ithaca College Athletics, 953 Danby Rd. Ithaca, NY 14850. For more information please call (585) 237-2626 or to leave a message of condolence visit www.eatonwatsonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Eaton-Watson Funeral Home, LLC. 98 North Main Street Perry, New York 14530.

Robert will be remembered for his love of Bicycling, music, Animals, nature and gaming.  He was a very spiritual person who above all else loved spending time with his family.  

He is survived by his parents Gail (Douglas) Titus of Batavia; daughter Alexandria Clancey of Lancaster; his most special life partner Melissa Marks of Batavia; siblings Christopher Clancey of Lockport, Jillian Titus of Alexander and Marcy (Greg) Weese of Lockport, along with 5 nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to call on Thursday June 2, 2016 from 4:00-7:00PM at Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020. A 9:30AM Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday June 3, 2016 at Resurrection Parish (St. Mary’s) 18 Ellicott St. Batavia, NY 14020. He will be laid to rest in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Batavia

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Genesee Cancer Assistance 16 Bank St. Batavia, NY 14020 http://geneseecancerassistance.com/. For more information please call 585-343-8260 or to leave a message of condolence please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020.

LeRoy ~ Thomas E. Steen Sr., age 81, of Jefferson Avenue, passed away Friday afternoon (May 27, 2016) the LeRoy Village Green Nursing Home.

     He was a very loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and brother, who just adored his grandchildren.  He retired from Niagara Mohawk after 35 years of service.  He was a 42 year member of the American Legion, a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus and a longtime member of the Oatka Fish & Game Club.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing, but loved his NY Yankees and the Buffalo Bills.  Tom was also a veteran, having served with the U.S. Army from 1954 -56.

     He will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 59 years, Kathleen "Pudge" O'Geen Steen; his children, Thomas Jr. (Lisa) Steen of Rochester, Terrie Lamendola of Phelps, Patty (Vince) Giammarva of LeRoy and Donna (Tom Jr.) Gates of Piffard; grandchildren, Thomas (Shannon) Lamendola, Greg and Keri Steen, Alex (fiancé-Sirie) Giammarva, Kaleigh (Jordan) Fahnestock, Courtney, Jessalyn and Thomas Gates III; great-grandchildren, Dylan, Joseph and Olivia Lamendola; siblings, "Pete" (Gina) Steen of LeRoy, "Vee" (Earl) DeLong of Batavia and Sally (Robert) Bickford of Caledonia, along with many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

     He was predeceased by his siblings, Arlene Murray, Jean Allen and Robert Steen.

     Family and friends may call on Wednesday from 3 ~ 7 PM at the Falcone Family Funeral & Cremation Service Inc., 8700 Lake Road (Rt. 19), LeRoy.  His Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Mercy Parish, St. Peter's Church, 44 Lake St., LeRoy.

     Memorials are suggested to the Kessler Burn & Trauma Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, N.Y. 14642

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

Bergen - Maria Kowalczyk, 100, of Bergen, died Friday, May 27, 2016 at her home, in Bergen.

Mrs. Kowalczyk was born December 8, 1915 in Poland, the daughter of the late Alojzy and Alberta Filipowicz.

She was the oldest member of St. Brigid's Church and enjoyed flower gardening.

Her husband, Boleslaw "William"  Kowalczyk, who died February 9, 2008.

Survivors include two sons: Henry Kowalczyk of Bergen, and Stan Kowalczyk of Rochester; five daughters: Jadwiga Syfert of Bergen, Teresa Kowalczyk of Warsaw, Anna (Robert) Johnson of Lawrenceville, GA, Krystyna (Paul) Lang of Byron and Elizabeth Kowalczyk of East Bethany; 9 grandchildren: Kate Syfert of VA, Kristen (Carey) Ng of Long Island, Daniel (Allison) Schiraldi of CA, Mary (Andy) Lee of Seneca Falls, Laura (Timothy) Price of MI, Emily Schiraldi of TN, Stephanie (Andrew) Kloster of GA, Stan Adam Kowalczyk of Elmira and Nicholas Kowalczyk of Rochester.  7 great grandchildren, Abigail Ng, Zachary Ng, Victoria Ng, Carter Lee, Nolan Lee, Daniel Price and BryceSchiraldi.  

Friends may call on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at H.E. Turner & Co., Funeral Home, 51 South Lake Street, Bergen.  Mrs. Kowalczyk’s Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 am Thursday,at St. Brigid's Church, 18 Gibson Street, Bergen.  In lieu of flowers, memorials in the form of Masses may be offered in her memory.   Burial will be in St. Brigid's Cemetery in Bergen.  Please leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Age 96, of LeRoy, formerly of Alexander died peacefully Thursday May 26, 2016 at the LeRoy Village Green Nursing Home. She was born October 17, 1919 in Buffalo, NY, a daughter of the late Herman and Minnie (Pralow) Henschke also preceded in death by her husband, Dudley Curtis and a sister, Betty Volk.   

Mrs. Curtis was a Matron in the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter, Varysburg, NY. 

Surviving is are her loving children, Linda Snyder of Tampa, FL, Donald (Nancy) Curtis of Alexander and Robert (Renee) Curtis of Santa Monica, CA; grandchildren, Brett R. Snyder, Brad (Michelle) Rodon, Kathy (Todd) Bender and Amy Ellis; 13 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.  

Millie's family will be present from 11:00 - 3:00PM on Wednesday June 1, 2016 at the MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK 14020, where a Service of Remembrance will immediately follow. She will be laid to rest in Forest Hill Cemetery in Attica and in lieu of flowers memorials in her memory can be made to the LeRoy Village Green Nursing Home 10 Munson Street LeRoy, New York 14482. 

Please share your words of comfort with the family at www.tomaszewskifh.com or for more information please call Michael at (585)343-7500. 

THE FAMILY OF MILDRED R. CURTIS IS BEING CARED FOR BY THE MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK 14020

Age 75, of Batavia, died peacefully Tuesday May 24, 2016 at the Batavia Health Care Center. She was born December 27, 1940 in Brooklyn, NY, a daughter of the late John and Ruth (Armstrong) Tucker; also preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Prucha in 2004; brother, John Tucker and sister, Ruth Gebel. 

Mrs. Prucha was a loyal, faithful member of the Grace Baptist Church, she loved her family and friends, sewing, handcrafts and many types of needlework. She had a career as a librarian having worked for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Harris Beach PLLC  and the Eastman Kodak, Co. Jane will be remembered as a kind caring woman who loved to be with family. 

Surviving are her loving children, Craig (Marlene) Prucha of Pavilion, Cheryl (John) Penn of Chemung, James (Deanne) Prucha of Batavia, Lori (Donald) Childs of Batavia and Timothy (Leila) Prucha of Knoxville, TN; brother-in-law, John Gebel of Marengo, IL; sister-in-law, Ann Tucker of Huntington Station, NY; 19 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren along with several nieces and nephews. 

The family will be present from 3 - 5 & 7 - 9PM on Tuesday May 31 at the MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK 14020, Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM Wednesday June 1 at the Grace Baptist Church 238 Vine Street Batavia. She will be laid to rest in Dale Cemetery with her husband and memorials in her memory are suggested to the church. 

Please share your thoughts and memories of Jane with his family at www.tomaszewskifh.com 

THE FAMILY OF ANN JANE PRUCHA IS BEING CARED FOR BY THE MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK 14020.

Amy worked and was highly respected as an RN, starting in Newfane and finishing at Eastern Niagara Hospital, Inc. in Lockport. She taught CPR and Medatech Services. Amy loved swimming, being a lifeguard and giving swim lessons. She was an avid Bowler, loved camping, cruises, traveling, going to movies, and above all else spending time with her family.

She is survived by her beloved husband Richard G. Weaver Jr. of Lockport; children David (Fiancé Rachel Donovan) Weber of Lockport; Jeffrey (Taylor) Weber of Colorado Springs, CO; Gregory Weber of Youngstown, NY; Eric and Ashley (Fiancé Joshua Brewer) Weaver of Lockport; siblings Rex (Janet) Lampke of Warsaw; Margaret (Craig) Hurley of LeRoy; Barbara (John) Viscove of LeRoy; Steven (Lisa) Lampke of Ithica; Robin (Mark) Hall of Batavia; Linda (late Douglas) Weig of LeRoy; Dale Lampke of NYC; 2 grandchildren Skyler and Colton, along with many nieces and nephews.  

Friends are invited to call on Tuesday May 31, 2016 from 11:00 AM to 1:00PM at Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020. A 1:30 PM Graveside Service will be held on Tuesday May 31, 2016 at Reed Cemetery in Oakfield.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Eastern Niagara Hospital, Inc. 521 East Ave. Lockport, NY 14094 or to the family. For more information please call 585-343-8260 or to leave a message of condolence please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020.