Death Notices for the week of January 25, 2004

Death Notices for the week of
January 25, 2004

Bob Waters, retired postal worker

Robert M. (Bob) Waters, a retired Spencerport postal worker, died suddenly of a massive heart attack on January 13, 2004 at age 64. "Bob was probably one of the most giving, caring people that I have ever known," said his close friend, Douglas Brown. Words used by others to describe Waters included "terrific, easy going, cheerful, special, a great story teller, a man with a great sense of humor, loving, caring and the backbone of the family - which he especially enjoyed."

Bob Waters was born on February 9, 1939 and grew up in Spencerport, graduating in 1957 from Spencerport High School. He and his wife, Sandra, had been married 43 years. His daughters, Wende Tucker and Kimberly Mastrella, also live in Spencerport with their husbands and children.

Mr. Waters retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 2001 after serving 42 years. He was the longest working letter carrier and the safest driver, winning many safe-driver awards, including the Million Mile Award.

Bonnie Callaghan, who worked with Mr. Waters for nearly 20 years said, "Everyone that knew Bob enjoyed his great sense of humor. Bob also enjoyed being a trickster. All of us at the post office enjoyed the time a snake was put into a relay box (a box where mail is stored each day for a carrier to pick up and deliver) where Bob had to leave mail for the carrier. Bob hated snakes. I can still hear him yelling. A while later some unexplainable bricks were left in my mailbag. I thought my bag was a lot heavier as I delivered Maplewood Avenue. Oh, that smile, that round, honest face. All kidding aside, Bob was also a dear friend. He was the first to ask how my ailing parents were doing and quick to give a hug if things weren't going well. I will miss that kind honest face."

Mr. Waters was a member of the Etolian Lodge 479 and the Bergen Rod and Gun Club. He was an avid gun collector and a NRA expert pistol shot, and held the Brockport Conservation Club record for pin shooting for three consecutive years. He was also an enthusiastic bowler, scoring two 300-point games and a couple of 298-point games.

After his retirement, Mr. Waters had more time to spend with his children and grandchildren and enjoyed helping out with his grandson's bowling team. He enjoyed working in his yard and often mowed neighbors' yards as well. He had just started working for Boone & Sons plowing snow.

Kim Rowe, clerk at the Post Office, uses two of Bob's well-known phrases to say farewell to her friend. "Bob, have a 'ducky' of a venture, 'you little devil.' Someday we will meet again. Until then."

Mr. Waters is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sandra L. (Wilson) Waters; daughters Wende Tucker and Kimberly (Carl) Mastrella; son-in-law, Charles A. Tucker Jr.; grandchildren Robert Tucker, Karrie Mastrella and Kellie Tucker; beloved in-laws, William R. and Margaret Wilson; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Wende Trott, Gail (Fred) Boyd Jr. and William R. Wilson Jr.; many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. He was a member of Etolian Lodge 479 F.&A.M.

Funeral Services were held January 17 at Walker Brothers Co. Funeral Home Inc., Spencerport. Interment Fairfield Cemetery. Contributions can be made to the Spencerport Volunteer Ambulance or Spencerport Volunteer Fire Department in his memory.

ALBION

•Taylor, Frank H., 74, died January 20, 2004 at Buffalo Veterans Hospital following a long battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Joan, whom he married in 1982; children, Maureen Riggari of Rochester, Patricia Jordan of Knowlesville, Frank L. Taylor of Rochester, Sally (Gary) Spears of Boca Raton, Samuel Taylor of Washington, D.C., Robert Taylor of Germantown, Maryland; stepchildren, Mary Ellen Tomman of Hilton, Earline (James) Lee of North Carolina, Donna (Randy) Klein of Friendship, Earl (Beverly) Sands of Batavia, Kenneth Sands of Barre Center, Doris (Buddy) Greer of Barre Center, Dennis (Kathy) Sands of Belmont, Mark Sands of Albion; 31 grandchildren; 21+ great grandchildren; one brother, Leon (Patricia) Taylor of Penn Yan; several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by first wife, Sara, and a daughter, Linda Taylor.

Funeral Services with military honors were held January 23 at the Merrill-Grinnell Funeral Home, Albion. Interment will be in Mt. Albion Cemetery.

BROCKPORT

•Skill, Michael F., On January 15, 2004, at the age of 67. He is survived by his beloved wife, Carolyn; children, Carolyn Marie (Paul) Schaffner of Arkansas, Jean Ann (Raymond) Walter, Michael Jr. (Michelle) of Gates and Mary Kay (Michael) Whalen of Kendall; grandchildren, Wes and Josie Schaffner, Tess and Sara Whalen and Julianna Skill; sisters, Clara Massare, Carmella (Babe) Tantalo and Jeanette (Doug) Park; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral Services were held January 19 at the Church of the Nativity BVM, Brockport. Spring interment, Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Contributions can be made to Carolyn Skill, P.O. Box 563, Brockport 14420 in his memory.

CHURCHVILLE

•Weitz, Jacqueline D. (Stowell), January 17, 2004. She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Robert A. Weitz; her children, Robert J. Weitz, Scott P. (Janet) Weitz and Karen (Robert) Flatley; her grandchildren, Brett and Natalie Weitz, Jessica, Kelly and Gillian Flatley; her sisters, Sharon (Louis) Cervi, Shirley (John) Grace, Judith (Alfred) Wheeler and Starr (Glenn) Peele; many nieces and nephews. She was a teacher's aide in the Wheatland Chili School District.

A Funeral Mass was said January 20 at St. Vincent DePaul Church, Churchville. Interment St. Vincent DePaul Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to GRHC/Hospice, 70 Metro Park, Rochester, NY 14623 in her memory.

CLARKSON

•Vaughan, James L., January 7, 2004, age 85, of Baldwinsville, formerly of Morrisville, NY and Bellport, Long Island. Born in Clarkson, he was the youngest of five children of John and Sarah Vaughan. After graduating from Brockport High and Normal Schools, he completed his bachelor of arts degree in education from Brockport State College in 1948. He earned his master's degree in education at Hofstra University in Long Island. Survived by his wife of 56 years, the former Jane Sutliff; a daughter Jeanette (and John) Fedkiw of Baldwinsville; two sons, James E. and Jeffrey L. (and Gene) both of Bellport; four grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; sister-in-law Mildred Vaughan of Brockport; nine nieces and nephews including Lynette Wilson of Greece, Marcia (Russ) Rees, formerly of Holley and Larry (Barb) Vaughan of Brockport. Predeceased by brothers John, Herbert (Yub) and Robert, and sister, Ruth Koehler.

A Memorial Service was held January 17 in Morrisville. Spring burial, Riverview Cemetery.

HOLLEY

•Gilman, Clara L. (Seger), Age 90, died January 17, 2004. She was predeceased by her husband, George, and daughter Johanna. Survived by two sons, Fred (Alma) Gilman, Arthur (Gloria) Gilman, both of Murray; several grandchildren and great grandchildren; special friend, Clara Vathy of Buffalo; son-in-law, Donald Aaronson of Westbury, New York.

A Mass of Christian Burial was said January 21 at St. Mary's Church. Interment will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

KENT

•Driesel, Joseph E., Age 49, January 15, 2004. Survived by wife, Connie; and sons, Karl and Mark; parents, Karl Thomas Driesel and Mary Driesel, both of Albion; brothers and sister, Gerard (Laura) Driesel of Lyndonville, Anna (David) West of Maryland and Karl (Sue) Driesel of Albion; mother-in-law, Virginia Bropst of Kent; aunt, Florence Egloff; and uncle, Alex Egloff, both of Holley; brothers-in-law, Joseph (Peggy) Bropst and Charles (Nancy) Bropst, both of Kent; also several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial was said January 19 at St. Mark's Roman Catholic Church, Kendall. Burial with full military honors will be held in the springtime at Beechwood Cemetery. Memorials can be made to Boy Scouts of America Troop 94 of Kendall, St. Mark's Roman Catholic Church or to Gaines-Carlton Community Church.

SPENCERPORT

•Altobello, Flora A., (Altobell), January 19, 2004 at the age of 88. She was predeceased by her husband of 50 years Albert A. Altobello. She is survived by her children, Marie L. Laveck and Albert (Sally) Altobello; her grandchildren Denise (Larry) Matula, Patti (Ron) Pasquale, Marci (Fred) Bloss, Chad (Sarah) Laveck, Monica (Tom) Middeker, Mark Altobello, Jay (Kristy) Altobello, Jill Altobello and her fiance Chris Ross; sister-in-law, Terri Picciotti; six great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass was said January 22 at St. John's Church, Spencerport. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Contributions can be made to the School of the Holy Childhood, 100 Groton Parkway, Rochester, NY 14623 in her memory.

•Finnegan, Robert J., January 20, 2004. Survived by his wife of 58 years, Irma; his son, Donald Finnegan; daughters, Elizabeth Finnegan and Emily Helfrich; grandchildren, Peter Helfrich and Jesse Finnegan and dear friends Armond and Ruth Dumond. A WW II veteran, he owned R. J. Finnegan Company Inc. for over 25 years.

A Funeral Mass was said January 23 at St. John's Church, Spencerport. Donations can be made to the National Kidney Foundation, Rochester Chapter in his memory.

•Rupp, Sophie L., January 18, 2004, at age 91. She was predeceased by her daughter, Elaine F. Reinhardt; her son, Frederick J. Rupp Sr. and her grandchildren, Eric and Lisa Rupp. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Mary A. Rupp; brother-in-law, Edward (Eleanor) Rupp; her grandchildren, Fritz (Jennifer) Rupp, Amy M. (Cory) Callahan, Laura C. Rupp, Dawn (Brian) Soock, Chris (Cheryl) Reinhardt and her seven great-grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass was celebrated in private, surrounded by her loving family at St. Jude's Church. Interment St. John's Cemetery, Spencerport.