Death Notices for the week of
May 16, 2004

Leith Wright, Hilton village historian for many years

Leith Lucille (Cox) Wright's life work will live on long after her recent passing on May 2. At the age of 92, Wright died after a lengthy hospital stay, and following soon after the death of her sister, Shirley Cox Husted, who died April 16, 2004.

The two sisters will be forever linked for their dedication to preserving local history.

"If there were a phrase that identified my mom's avocations and vocations, it would be community servant," said Don Wright. She served the community in many different capacities, including her service as the first ever Hilton village historian. This work came as a natural progression from her service as deputy town clerk for the Town of Parma.

"Beyond the mundane duties of this job she enhanced the office with her personal habit of helping hundreds of people in searching for their genealogical roots in the voluminous record books, deeds, and other official primary source documents kept in that office," said Don Wright. "This form of community service (a job within a job) did not end when she resigned that post; in fact, people kept searching her out for most of the remainder of her life for help in their family researches."

She was eventually approached by Hilton's mayor to become the village historian. She also authored two publications on Hilton - "Hilton U.S.A." and "Historic Hilton Homes and First Families."

Together with her sister she founded the Hilton Historical Society, where she served as president.

Hilton's current historian, Mary Townsend, said Wright is responsible for putting together a truly remarkable collection of Hilton history.

"She did a magnificent job collecting information for future historians," said Townsend, who worked as Wright's assistant from 1989 until 1996. "She had a marvelous understanding of the history - partly through her research and partly through living it."

The daughter of Ward and Grace (Hawes) Cox, Leith was born February 10, 1912 in the house at 1108 Hilton-Parma Corners Road (her father's birthplace). When she was about two years old she moved to the house built by her father at 430 Parma Center Road.

She got her primary education at the District One School on Parma Center Road, then attended Hilton High School, where she graduated in 1929. She also attended the old Brockport Normal School (now SUNY College at Brockport). In 1999, she was nominated as a candidate for an "Alumna of Distinction" award, in recognition of her 70th anniversary of graduation from the old Hilton High School; this was an honor she truly cherished.

She married Dennison W. Wright on February 14, 1930 and in 1942 the family moved into their new house at 94 Gorton Avenue, Hilton. She and her husband were parents of three sons and two daughters. One daughter, Janice Lee, met a sudden tragic death in her childhood.

Mrs. Wright was a member of the Hilton Baptist Church; member and past matron (in 1950) of Leah Chapter O.E.S. In 2000, she observed her 60th anniversary of continuous Eastern Star membership. As past matron, she belonged to the E.W. Smith Club, composed of all the 1950 matrons and patrons of O.E.S. Chapters in Monroe County.

She was also a member of the Hilton Fire Department Ladies' Auxiliary, a Brownie Scout leader at one time and served on the Girl Scout Neighborhood committee. She was a former member of Hiltondale Rebekah Lodge #555; the Parma Women's Republican Club; and Irondequoit Chapter, D.A.R.

During World War II she was registrar on the local board of the Selective Service System. She was on the National Council of Parents and Teachers, and was a member of the Librette Book Club in Hilton.

For a number of years, she and husband, Denny, spent winters in Venice, Florida, where they were associate members of the Venice-Nokomis Presbyterian Church. In Hilton, she held membership in the Amity Club of Hilton Baptist Church, from its founding to its disbanding a few years ago.

She was predeceased by her husband Dennison ("Denny"), 1993; daughter Janice Lee, 1946; her brother, Howard Cox, 1963; and sister Shirley Cox Husted, on April 16, 2004.

Surviving are three sons - Norman (Florence), Denny (Carolyn), Donald (Nancy); a daughter Deborah (David) Fox; 15 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Her Celebration of Life Service took place Wednesday, May 5 at the Thomas E. Burger Funeral Home, 735 East Avenue, Hilton. Officiating was the Rev. Walter Steenson, pastor of Hilton Baptist Church, where Wright was a life-long member. Eulogies were presented by Larry Gursslin, former Hilton village mayor, and several family members. Interment was at Parma Union Cemetery following the funeral.

Through the end of the month, a tribute to the two sisters will be on display at the Hilton Historian's Office. Community members are invited to stop by.

AREA

•Pinkevich, Boris, May 7, 2004. He is survived by his wife, Anna; daughters, Lucy and Irina; two brothers; two sisters; five grandchildren.

Funeral Services were held May 10 at Slavic Pentecostal Church. Interment, Parma Corners Cemetery.

•Trabold, Paul Jr., May 7, 2004. Predeceased by his wife, Marilyn. Survived by parents, Paul Sr. and Arlean Trabold; his sisters and brother, Paulette (William) Knorr Sr., Alexander (Nina), Elizabeth (Michael) Tobey Sr. and Anne (David) Bouchey Sr.; several nieces; nephews, aunts and uncles. Paul was a Vietnam veteran.

A Celebration of his Life was held May 11 at Living Hope Assembly of God, Hamlin. Donations can be made to Hamlin Community Baptist Church, 1419 Lake Road, Hamlin 14464 in his memory.

CLARKSON

•Nersinger, Richard W., Jr. May 9, 2004 age 82. Predeceased by his wife, Evelyn. Survived by his children, Lorelei (Andrew) Ciciotti, Brian, Judy and Ricki (Penny) Nersinger; two brothers; three sisters; 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

Services were held at the convenience of the family. Contributions can be made to a charity of one's choice in his memory.

HILTON

•Quadrini, Rose, May 7, 2004, age 77. Predeceased by her husband, Louis. Survived by her sons, Mark (Cindy), Phil (Mary), Tom, Paul, John (Sara) Quadrini; daughters, Col. Sheila (Donald) Scanlon, Michele (RJ) Kuznitz; grandchildren, Dr. Michael (Cara Lorch), Alex, Anna and Nicholas Quadrini, Lynn and Bryan Kuznitz, Johnathan and Katherine Scanlon; brothers, Rev. Thomas Tallarida C.S.C., Frank (Connie) Tallarida, Vic (Rose) Tallarida; many nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass was said May 11 at St. Leo Church, Hilton. Interment, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Contribu-tions can be made to Rochester Multiple Sclerosis Association or St. Leo Church in her memory.

HOLLEY

•Devault Sr., James H. "Jim," age 57, died May 8, 2004, a resident of Holley for 22 years. He was an electrician at Erdles Perforating in Gates; Army Veteran, a member of the American Legion Jewell Buckman Post #529, and Past President of his local Union. He is survived by his wife, Becky of 37 years; three children, James Jr., Joann (Jim Clark) Devault, Janet (Joe) Willis, Jr. all of Holley; daughter-in-law, Susan Devault; eight grandchildren, Adam, James H. III, Alyssa and Jarrett Devault of Holley, Christine Clark of Holley, Joseph, Ryan and Abigail Willis of Holley; two brothers, David (Phyllis) Devault on New Jersey, Daniel (Barbara) Devault of New Jersey; two sisters, Sandy (Richard) Neal of New Jersey, Karen (James) Keen of New Jersey; sisters and brothers-in-law, Joyce Devault of Delaware; Kenneth (Bonnie) Mosley, Leroy (Janet) Hickman, William Hickman, Norman Hickman, Charles Hickman, Deborah Robinson, Kevin (Debbie) Hickman all of New Jersey; many nieces, nephews, and best friends, James and Becky Haines. He is predeceased by brother Gary Devault.

Funeral Services were held May 13 at the Merrill-Grinnell Funeral Home, Holley. Interment, Hillside Cemetery with Military honors.

•Reisig, Aurelia M., Age 93, May 6, 2004. Predeceased by husband Charles and siblings. Survived by daughter, Joyce (Glenn) Maxon; two grandchildren, Charles (Jeanne) Maxon, Amy Marquezi; four great-grandchildren, Cory, Taylor, Rachel, Sara; sister-in-law, Jane Reisig; several nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Service was held May 8 at the Holley First Presbyterian Church. Private interment, Mt. Hope Cemetery. Donations can be made to Hospice of Orleans or St. John's Lutheran Church, Rochester, in her memory.

OGDEN

•Lombardo, Ralph A., May 8, 2004 at age 44. Predeceased by his father, John F. Lombardo. He is survived by his loving and caring wife, Maureen (Timony) Lombardo; devoted father to Justeen and John Lombardo; mother, Louise Lombardo; father-in-law, Clarence (Holly) Timony; mother-in-law, Barbara Timony; brother and sisters and their families, Louis (Pat) Lombardo (Matthew), Phillip and Reginna), Helen Lombardo, Jean (Rob) Taylor (John and Carmela), Rosemarie (Chuck) Kain (Joey and Helen); special friend, Denise Sarkis; many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

A Funeral Mass was said May 11 at St. Helen's Church. Donations in his memory can be made to the Justeen and John Lombardo Education Fund, 1411 Vintage Lane, Rochester, NY 14626.

SPENCERPORT

•Piazza, Rose Marie, age 79, of Spencerport, formerly of Albion, died May 9, 2004. She was the first woman elected in Orleans County to the New York State Democratic Committee. Rose owned and operated Kut & Kurl Beauty Shop in Albion for many years and also, with her husband Joseph, owned and operated Piazza's Green Houses in Albion for many years. Rose and her husband Joseph moved to Spencerport two years ago. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Joseph C. Piazza; three children, Linda Ellis of Brockport, Richard (Ethna) Piazza of LaJolla, California, Laurie (John) Piazza-Howard of Churchville; four grandchildren, Christine (Michael) Proctor, Katherine (Patrick) Monagan, Mary Beth Fonesca, Mark Howard; five great-grandchildren, sister, Julia (Ted) Baum of Albion; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial was said May 12 at St. Joseph's Church, Albion. Interment, St. Joseph's Cemetery. Donations can be made to a charity of one's choice in her memory.