Death Notices for the week of
January 28, 2007


At left,
Joe Kinsella.







Below, members of the Spencerport Volunteer Fire Department were pall bearers at the January 22 funeral of Joe Kinsella at St. John the Evangelist Church in Spencerport.

Text and photo by Evelyn Dow.

Joseph Kinsella, 97, honorary Spencerport fireman

Lots of people in the Spencerport area knew Joe.

Joe Kinsella died at Wedgewood Nursing Home in Spencerport on January 17, 2007. He had been a resident there more than a decade, first in the Adult Home and later moving to the nursing home. Wedgewood staffers say Joe loved animals and kept several, including a rabbit, bird and hamster, at various times during his stay at the facility. Until about three years ago, he did the recycling of cans and bottles and tended a vegetable garden in the summer months. He loved receiving mail and especially enjoyed the visits of therapy dogs. A sketch of Joe was included in a book by Ann Lacey about her visits with her therapy dog, Ricky.

Joe’s family roots reached back into the area to the 1850s. Like his ancestors, he was a good worker and lived a long life. Joe's parents, Richard, a Parma assessor, and Julia Kinsella, kept a farm on the Ridge. Joe maintained the farm both during his father's lifetime and after his father's death. He saw to the upkeep of the orchard and the harvesting of the hay crop.

The Kinsellas are known for their longevity. Joe's mother Julia Mills Kinsella, lived to be 105. Joe's sister, Vinetta, a renowned school teacher in North Greece and Hilton, lived to be 98. Joe, blessed with longevity and fitness, lived to be 97. Joe had another sister, Mary Morrell. He is survived by his sister, Teresa Kinsella Greene, of Arizona; a cousin, Marcella Kinsella McAniff and several nephews and nieces.

Members of the Spencerport Volunteer Fire Department served as pall bearers at Joe’s funeral on January 22 at St. John the Evangelist Church. A firefighter’s shield emblem accompanied Joe’s death notice in the Rochester daily newspaper. Joe was an honorary member of the department and was embraced by volunteers as their friend.

Over a period of 20 or so years, the leaders of the department frequently offered Joe the privilege to ride on a fire truck in the annual firemen’s parade. His broad smile and the spirited wave of his hand as he sat on one of the company’s biggest trucks were certain signs of his delight with the experience.

Fire Commissioner and former Spencerport Fire Chief Dave Spencer said Joe did a lot for the department, including efforts such as selling tickets for fundraisers like turkey raffles. “He’d stand out in front of the grocery store and ask people to buy tickets. He’d outsell everyone -- sometimes several hundred dollars worth! Who could say no to him?” Spencer asked.

As long as his health permitted it, Joe was out and about. Until about five or fewer years ago, it was common to see Joe walking around the village or on Union Street. He tended rabbits at a site near Route 104 and walked to and from there frequently from Wedgewood. After being involved in a minor motor vehicle-pedestrian accident, the firemen equipped Joe with a helmet-style hat with a blinking red light on the front, to make him more visible to others when he was on his journeys.

Father Bernard McAniff, S.J., a relative of the deceased, delivered the eulogy at the funeral mass. He noted how the Spencerport community and the congregation at St. John’s included the man well before the mentally retarded became mainstreamed in society. “Despite the challenges he faced, Joe was well-known by many on the streets of Spencerport. Since he did not drive, he walked often from his family's farm on Ridge Road to Spencerport and back. He would often be spotted by village residents and be given a lift. He knew both drivers and, when on foot in the village, passersby by name and loved to converse with them. And they, in turn, found themselves living out the Beatitudes,” he said.

Spencerport Fire Department personnel in full dress uniforms carried the casket bearing Joe Kinsella’s body from the Walker Brothers hearse into the church for the funeral mass, and retraced the journey for the procession of a few cars to St. John’s Cemetery at the end of Evergreen Street in Spencerport village. The six pall bearers rode in the department’s red SUV, following the hearse, as they traveled the short distance down Amity Street to Evergreen. The vehicle’s red and white emergency lights mounted on the roof top pulsated through the light snow of the January morning to honor Joe and mark his last ride.

Joe would have liked that.


AREA

•Wood, Rowena K., January 19, 2007, age 92. Wife of the late George S. Wood; mother of George E. Wood and Denniston K. Wood, both of Batavia, Charles M. (Teresa) Wood of Churchville and Rowena J. (James) Wood of Monterey, California; grandmother of Stacey (Robert) Stephens, Steven Klinge, Peter Wood, Charles Wood and Madeline Kowalik-Bova. She is predeceased by five brothers and sisters.

Private services were held. Memorials can be made to American Cancer Society, 101 John James Audobon Parkway W., Amherst, NY 14228.


•Wright, Carol Ann, January 22, 2007 after a courageous battle with cancer. Carol was born March 1, 1952 in Chicago, Illinois and grew up in North Chili. Predeceased by her father Wesley A. Wright in 1985 and half-sister, D. Jean McLaughlin in 1995. She is survived by her mother, Mary E. (Mastin) Wright of Orlando, Florida; her children Kyle, Kristina and Kiera Mulhern of Greece; three sisters, Janet (Matthew) Garrett, Churchville, Christene (Wayne) Schifferli, Venice, Florida, Barbara Knight (Louis Scuderi), Orlando, Florida; three brothers, Richard (Kathrine) Wright, Orlando, Florida, Larry Wright of Orlando, Florida and Robert (Mary) Wright of Davenport, Florida; half-sister, Frances Kolb, Penfield and dear lifelong friend, Linda Fedrau of Avon; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

A Memorial Service was held January 27 at Open Door Baptist Church, Chili. Contributions can be made to Lipson Cancer Center, Rochester General Hospital, 1425 Portland Avenue, Rochester 14621 in her memory. Interment with grandparents and father at Creekside Cemetery, Churchville.


BROCKPORT

•Wicks, Ross D., January 17, 2007, at age 73, after a lengthy illness. Predeceased by his parents, Harry and Mary (Maxson) Wicks; brother Harry Wicks; granddaughter Rachel Wicks; sisters, Alberta Dodd and Gail Berger. Survived by his wife of 52 years, Anita; children Laurie Magill of Florida, Dale (Darnell) Wicks of Oklahoma and Lisa Reese of Nevada; cherished by four grandchildren and one great grandchild; brother-in-law Donald (Betty) Held; sister-in-law Beverly (Wicks) Velez; nieces, nephews and several cousins. Ros was a Veteran of the U.S.Air Force (Korean Conflict). He retired from Eastman Kodak in 1986 after 32 years of service.

A Memorial Gathering will be held in the spring. Contributions can be made to the Brockport Ambulance Corps, 38 Market Street, Brockport 14420 or the American Lung Association, 1595 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester 14620 in his memory.


HAMLIN

•Kaiser, James F., January 20, 2007, age 74. He was pre-deceased by his wife, Anne. He is survived by his chil-dren, Michael (Patty) Kaiser, Susan (Lynn) Bronson, Stephen (Allison) and James (Julie) Kaiser; grandchil-dren Matthew (fiancée Laura Nemchick) and Erin Bronson; his loving companion, Carole Treichler and her children, Lynn (Steve) Brown, Robert (Mary) Treichler and Lisa Thompson and grandchildren, Brett Treichler, Danica and Jacquelyn Thompson; nieces, nephews and many friends. He was a retired Monroe County Deputy Sheriff.

Funeral Services were held January 23 at the Thomas E. Burger Funeral Home, Inc., Hilton. Interment, Parma Union Cemetery. Contributions can be made to VNS Hospice or Hamlin Volunteer Ambulance in his memory.


HILTON

•Blad, Maude (Sue Monk), January 21, 2007. Predeceased by her husband, Peter. Survived by her daughter, Kathy (Bill) Porter of Hilton; sons, Larry of Hilton, Peter (Joan) of Gates, Don (Pat) of Maryland, Frank (Janice) of Gates, Rick (Bev) of Branchport, Ken (Linda) of Michigan; sisters, Mary Jane Cox of Peekskill, Janet (John) Huether of Gates; brothers, Lewis (Bud) Monk of Hilton, Al (Jean) Monk of Greece; aunt, Doris Fox; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass was said January 24 at Holy Ghost Church. Interment, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Dona-tions can be made to Arc of Rochester or Hilton Fire Department in her memory.


•Burr, LeRoy G., January 17, 2007, age 67. He is survived by his wife, Joyce; his children, Pamela (Michael) DeGregorio, Brian (Susan) Jeffrey and Michael (Mary) Burr; six grandchildren, Brittany, Lindsey, Matthew, and Marissa Burr, Ashley and Olivia DeGregorio; brother, Robert (Christine) Burr; sister, Lucia (Charles) Wilcox; "honorary brother" Duane Goff. Predeceased by his sister, Elizabeth Howden. Also survived by his devoted companion, "Tessa."

Funeral Services were held January 20 at the Thomas E. Burger Funeral Home, Inc., Hilton. Contributions can be made to the Hilton Lions Club in his memory.


HOLLEY

•Law, Mary F. (Kuntz/Alcaide), Age 70, January 19, 2007. Predeceased by son, Michael Kuntz. Survived by husband William Law; children Raymond (Barbara) Kuntz, Mary Lou Kuntz, William (Cindy) Kuntz, David (Jean) Kuntz, Helen (Bob) Thompson, Daniel (Ann) Kuntz, Joseph Kuntz, all of Rochester; also Beverly (Paul) Selden of Holley and Thomas (Daria) Kuntz of Rochester; stepchildren, Vincent (Robin) Law and Teresa Law, both of Rochester; brother, John (Barbara) Alcaide of New Jersey; 13 grandchildren; four great grandchildren and nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial was said January 23 at St. Mary R. C. Church, Holley. Burial in Holy Cross Cemetery. Contributions can be made to Monroe Community Hospital in her memory.


KENDALL

•Day, Lorne O., age 68, died January 22, 2007 at Rochester General Hospital. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Thelma; children Carol (Hubert) Lenz of Kendall, Lorne M. Day of Rochester, Thomas (Jackie) Day of Colorado Springs, Colorado; step-children Leon Morrow of Buffalo, Cheryl (John) Lowe of Cheyenne, Wyoming; mother, Dorothy (Schib) Day; 13 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Lorne was a member of the Kendall Fire Department and the Kendall Masonic Lodge. He retired from Eastman Kodak in 1991.

A Memorial Service was held January 27 at the Kendall Fire Department. Memorial contributions can be made to the Kendall Ambulance.


•Rockow, Ruth, age 79, died January 21, 2007 at Lakeside Memorial Hospital after a long illness. She worked part time at Hamlin Beach State Park for 30 years. Ruth is survived by her husband of 49 years, Carl; son, Terry (Deborah) Rockow; granddaughter, Amanda Rockow; sister-in-law, Wilma Rockow, all of Hamlin; nieces, nephews and cousins. She is predeceased by brother, Robert Seaman.

Funeral Services were held January 25 at the Merrill-Grinnell Funeral Home, Holley. Burial in Lakeside Cemetery in the spring. Contributions can be made to the Morton Fire Company in her memory.


•Root, Dorothy W. (Lind), January 19, 2007, age 91. She was predeceased by her husband, Vernon, 1996; and her sister, Margaret Dorsey. She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Lucinda and Andrew Smith, Martha and Kenneth Breiner; four grandchildren, Christopher (Heidi) and Patrick (Wendy) Smith, Scott Breiner and Jenelle (William) Zayas; three great-grandchildren, Jonathen, Andi Jane and Colin Smith. Mrs. Root was a retired teacher from Kendall Central School and a member of Morton Baptist Church.

Funeral Services were held January 26 at the Thomas E. Burger Funeral Home, Inc., Hilton. Spring interment, Lake View Cemetery, Brockport. Contributions can be made to Morton Baptist Church Memorial Fund or Lakeside Foundation in her memory.


NORTH CHILI

•Arbore, Mary C. "Tina," On January 14, 2007, at age 78. She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Nicholas; children, Catherine (Gene) Falco, Robert, Nicholas (Roann) and John; grandchildren, Christina and Nicholas Falco; sister, Rose (Nate) Valone; brother, Leo Cimbalo of California; and many nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass was said January 20 at St. Christopher's Church, North Chili. Interment at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions can be directed to the American Heart Association.


SPENCERPORT

•Agostinelli, Madeline M., January 21, 2007, at age 66. She is survived by her children, David Agostinelli and his daughter, Alexandra of Spencerport, Peter (Michelle) Agostinelli and their daughter Mackenzie of Palm Harbor, Florida and Karen Agostinelli of Palm Harbor, Florida.

A Funeral Mass was said January 25 at St. John's Church, Spencerport. Interment at the convenience of the family. Contributions can be made to a charity of one's choice in her memory.


•Kinsella, Joseph, January 17, 2007 at age 97. He was predeceased by his sisters Mary Morrell and Vinetta Kinsella. Survived by his sister Teresa (Herb) Greene of Tempe, Arizona; several nieces and nephews. Joe was an honorary member of the Spencerport Volunteer Fire Department.

A Funeral Mass was said January 22 at St. John's Church, Spencerport. Interment St. John's Cemetery. Contributions can be made to the Spencerport Volunteer Fire Department in his memory.


•Miceli, Christopher T., January 23, 2007 at age 3. Survived by his loving parents, Michael and Shelby Miceli; brother, Anthony Miceli; grandparents, Samuel and Nina Miceli and Doug and Patty Mattice; aunts and uncles, Matthew (Jennifer) Miceli, David Miceli, Tammy (Raymond) Seegler, Paul (Fawn) Mattice; several cousins; many loving family members and friends.

A Funeral Mass was celebrated January 26 at St. Jude the Apostle Church, Gates. Interment, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Contributions can be made to the Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester 14642 or Mercy Flight Central, 2420 Brickyard Road, Canandaigua 14424 in his memory.


•Milillo, Virginia N., January 24, 2007 at age 80. She was predeceased by her daughter, Dianna Lynn. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Alfonse A. Milillo; her children, David (Lisa Collura) Milillo, Danny Milillo and Jennifer (Robert) Tobias; many grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass was said January 27 at St. John's Church, Spencerport. Interment St. John's Cemetery. Contributions can be made to the Memorial Fund of St. John's Church in her memory.


•Peters, Jean C., January 22, 2007 at age 67. Survived by her companion of over 20 years, Nancy A. Wieczorek; her sister Joan (Marty) Leggo; her sister-in-law, Karen (Richard) Wieczorek and their daughter Alexandra; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services were held January 27 at Walker Brothers Co. Funeral Home Inc., Spencerport. Interment, Falls Cemetery. Contributions can be made to Lifetime Care, 3111 Winton Road South, Rochester 14623 in her memory.