Donald R. Lowry, 72

Donald R. Lowry, Chairman of the Board and co-founder of Lifetime Assistance, Inc. died on February 6, 2009 at the age of 72. Donald Lowry, along with Donna, his wife of 54 years, leaves a legacy that began in June 1957 when the Lowrys challenged the status quo and society's intolerance towards persons with disabilities. Against traditional medical advice, they brought their son, Greg, who was born with Down Syndrome, home to their loving family.

In the 1960s, and '70s, Mr. and Mrs. Lowry advocated for better public education for children of all abilities and in the mid 1970s they joined forces with five other parents of developmentally disabled children graduating from high school and founded and incorporated Lifetime Assistance, Inc. As founding board members of Lifetime Assistance, Mr. and Mrs. Lowry have remained steadfast in their work to promote healthy, meaningful, full lives for citizens with disabilities. Mr. and Mrs. Lowry have always embraced systems advocacy at the highest levels. Whether it was meeting with a commissioner, or state legislators, their countless hours spent in legislative and policy level advocacy has positively impacted New York State public policies in assuring quality lives for citizens with developmental disabilities.

There was a lot of excitement about the Space Program in the 1960s. Chrysler Corporation's Space Division offered Mr. Lowry a senior engineering position on the program and the family moved to New Orleans. After the Space Program job was completed, Mr. Lowry accepted a position as Engineering Department Manager with General Motors and relocated to Brockport. Although especially proud of the role he played in helping the country put the first man on the moon, his most important success was the founding and continuing development of Lifetime Assistance.

Mr. Lowry was a driving force behind taking Lifetime Assistance, Inc. from simply the dreams and hopes of families in the community, to today's quality organization and the Rochester area's largest and most comprehensive developmental disability agency. Mr. Lowry often remarked, "Because of our son's courage, Greg has been our inspiration; we got involved because of Greg, but we continue on behalf of all the people we serve. We must take care of those who cannot care for themselves."

"I'm privileged to have known Don for 20 years," said James Branciforte, CEO/President of Lifetime Assistance. "From a personal standpoint, I have lost a dear friend and mentor. We at Lifetime are shaken by the loss of this giant of a man, whose presence will be greatly missed, but whose ideals remain central to our work. Our Lifetime family of friends, employees, service recipients and families, board members and donors, remember Don's strength in leadership, and his kindness, generosity, and humor. Don's visionary leadership, composed business sense and tenacity are legendary as well, among local and state government officials and community leaders. His contributions remain embedded in the mission of Lifetime Assistance."

Mr. Lowry's philosophy was honest and straightforward; "Challenge the status quo; create the extraordinary; if you settle for ordinary you get mediocre. Ensure that you put the needs of others first; treat them with commitment, dignity and respect. We should all thank God for the opportunity to serve others; it is a very high calling."

Mr. Lowry was a master gardener. He created the Greater Rochester Perennial Society and served as its president for nine years. He also was past Chairman of the Board of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Monroe County.

Among recognitions Mr. Lowry received are: Greater Rochester Board Leadership Award presented by United Way and the RBJ, October 2007; ESL/News 10 NBC Jefferson Award, May 2007; Rosalyn Carter Caregiver Award, May 2004; Donald R. and Donna J. Lowry Center, October 2003; Lifetime Assistance Humanitarian Award, November 2003; New York State Rehabilitation Association (NYSRA) Martha Fitzpatrick Award, September 2003.

Along with Donna, his high school sweetheart and wife of 54 years, Mr. Lowry is survived by sons Greg, Jeff, Scott and Charles, several grandchildren and his mother, Bertha Lowry.

Calling hours are Sunday, February 15 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Fowler Funeral Home, 340 West Avenue, Brockport. A Memorial Service will be Monday, February 16 at 11 a.m. at the Fowler Funeral Home.

Contributions can be made to the Donald R. and Donna J. Lowry Founder's Fund in Mr. Lowry's memory: c/o Lifetime Assistance Foundation, Inc., 425 Paul Road, Rochester, New York 14624.

BROCKPORT

•Napiorski, Thomas J., On February 10, 2009 after a courageous battle with cancer. Predeceased by his parents and best friend Ed Spath. He is survived by his wife, Ellen; sister, Marilynn (David) Coutant; many nephews, nieces; grandnieces Ava and Maxine; and many other family and friends.

Funeral Services were held February 13 at Fowler Funeral Home Inc., Brockport. Contributions can be made to the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, or Gilda's Club of Rochester, 255 Alexander Street, Rochester 14607, or to a charity of one's choice in his memory.

CHURCHVILLE

•Leibeck, Mary Jane (Crick), Suddenly, February 5, 2009. Predeceased by her husband, James Leibeck; her mother and father, Margaret and Harry Crick; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Bessie and Otto Leibeck; sister-in-law, Jessie Moore; brother-in-law, James Pharoah. She is sur-vived by her loving children, Sharlene (David) Reeves, Kathy (Bill) Chase, Darlene (Tim) Baum, James (Jennifer) Leibeck, Stephen (Amy) Leibeck; 13 grand-children; six great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, John (Jean) Leibeck, Dorothy Pharoah, Edgar Moore; several nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass was said February 9 at St. Vincent DePaul Church, Churchville. Interment St. Vincent DePaul Cemetery. Contributions can be made to St. Vincent DePaul Church in her memory.

HAMLIN

•Woodard, Richard S., February 7, 2009, at the age of 85. Predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth Farmer Woodard. Survived by his children, Karleen (Bruce) La Due, Glenn (Sally), Wilma (Larry) Matsko; grandchildren, Grant (Pam) La Due, Heather La Due, Alex (Pam) Woodard, Melinda Woodard, Christofer (Jill) Woodard, Eric Matsko, Chelsea (Bently) Wong, Catherine (Larry) Palumbos; five great grandchildren; sister, Barbara Smolin; brother Sterling (Kathleen) Woodard; nieces and nephews. Richard retired from G.E. as a draftsman after 29 years of service in the Syracuse and Brockport G. E. plants.

Interment will be at the convenience of the family. Contributions can be made to the National Parkinson Foundation in his memory.

HILTON

•Burch, Virginia Collamer "Ginny," On February 8, 2009, age 60. Survived by her husband, John R. Burch; her children, Benjamin (Julie Schmidtke) Burch, John (Andrea) Yunger, Rebecca (Brian) LoPiccilo, Justin (Christina) Yunger, Bayard Burch and Jaclyn Burch; her mother, Shirley Collamer Kraft; her sisters, Carol (John) Veltre, Susan (Tim) Toal and Pat (John) Hauza; her brother, George (Bell) Collamer; eight grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Ginny was predeceased by her father, George Collamer; step-father, Bob Kraft; and sister, Sharon Bradley.

All services will be private for her family. Contributions can be made to Sally Edelman-H. Gardner C.R.F., P.O. Box 97, Hilton 14468 or James Wilmot Cancer Center, P.O. Box 704, Rochester 14642 in her memory.

•Sauve, Mary E., February 6, 2009, age 81. She is survived by her husband of 60 years Paul Sauve; her children, Patricia Sauve, Christine (Dana) Johanson, Daniel (Theresa) Sauve, Eileen Cappelletty, Laurie (Joseph) Wagner and Denise Wilson; 13 grandchildren; one great-grandson; her sisters, Martha Gore, Harriet Cook, Sheila Mueller, Shirley (Carl) Hagstrom; brother-in-law, Oscar Reber; sister-in-law, Nancy Thiele; many nieces, nephews and friends. She was predeceased by her sister Jean Reber and brothers James and William Callahan.

A Funeral Mass was said February 9 at St. Leo's Church, Hilton. Contributions can be made to ARC of Rochester, 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester 14620 in her memory.

OGDEN

•Jacobs, Patricia M., February 9, 2009. Predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Charles J. Jacobs. Survived by her loving daughter, Linda Meyer; cherished grandsons, James Meyer and Christopher Meyer (US Army); several nieces.

A Graveside Service was held February 11 in Holy Ghost Cemetery.