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Death Notices for the week of
June 20, 2004
Friends and relatives will remember Frank Vespi as a man with an outgoing personality. "He was a very friendly person," his stepson, Paul Penna, of Spencerport said. "I think people will also remember that Frank was a great storyteller." The former Spencerport native was killed during a business trip to the mid-west. Vespi was on his way back to Little Falls, New York where he ran the Antiques and More Annex when he was stabbed and killed by Robert Grantham. Investigators in Indianapolis say Grantham also fatally stabbed his parents the week before. Mr. Vespi died May 24, 2004. According to police reports, Vespi, who was traveling back from Texas on an antiquing trip, was stabbed outside of his hotel room in Indianapolis. Investigators say details are still sketchy but they know Vespi ended up in an altercation with 27-year-old Grantham, who may have been trying to rob the 64-year-old Vespi. In the end, Vespi was stabbed and Grantham was shot. "Frank is being thought of as a hero by the Indianapolis police and the members of the family who were killed earlier," Penna said. Prior to opening his antiques shop in Little Falls, New York, Vespi worked for 20 years at Marcin Heating in Spencerport. He also worked for the Department of Corrections in Albion. He was a member of the Elks Lodge and Moose Lodge. Mr. Vespi was born on March 2, 1940 in Little Falls, a son of the late Guy and Louise (Peters) Vespi and received his education in Little Falls schools. He served his country with the United States Air Force, receiving an honorable discharge on February 1, 1960. He resided at one time in Hamlin, Albion and also in Wildwood, Florida. On November 12, 1977 in Hamlin, he was united in marriage with the former Carol Coloney. He leaves his beloved wife, Carol, of Little Falls; three sons, Joey Vespi (Shelly) of Clarkesville, Georgia; Paul Penna (Kristine) of Spencerport and Alan Penna of Santa Cruz, California; a daughter, Jodi Gaines (Richard) of Albion; two brothers, Guy Vespi (Cindy) of Little Falls and Gary Vespi of Little Falls; five grandchildren, Christian Gaines, Sydney Vespi, Brian Penna, Luke Gaines and Kyle Gaines; one great-grandchild, Avery Gaines; many nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws, Elaine and Gene Banas, Joyce and Ralph Dollinger, all of Albion, and George and Jennifer Coloney of Weston, Florida. Also surviving are numerous dear and devoted friends in the Mohawk Valley and throughout the country. Former Brockport native killed in Washington, D.C. Sergeant Clifton Rife II, formerly of Brockport, was killed in the line of duty in Washington, D.C. on June 2, 2004. Rife, 34, a 1987 graduate of Brockport High School, has worked for the past 13 years as a police officer in Washington. He was shot to death during the course of an apparent robbery attempt. According to police reports from Prince George's County, Maryland, Rife was off duty and was visiting a friend when he entered an apartment building and encountered a man who announced a robbery. Gunfire was exchanged. The suspect, identified as a 16-year-old who was a resident of the apartment complex, was shot and killed. Rife was commended by D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams, who also offered his condolences to the family. He was also recognized by Police Chief Charles Ramsey as a hard working officer. The son of Billie and Clifton Rife, he was born July 31, 1969 in Brockport. Rife liked squirrel hunting and skeet shooting and was an avid reader, friends say. After graduation from high school, Rife enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was later stationed in Washington, D.C. at the Marine Corps Barracks. He served on the Presidential Honor Guard and was honorably discharged in 1990. On February 14, 1989 he married Kristine Rodriques. They had two children, Brittney Alexa and Clifton III. He is survived by his wife, children, parents; a brother, Leondis (Rose) Rife; mother- and father-in-law, Wilbur and Catherine Rodriques; sisters-in-law; a nephew, Michael Rife; cousins; and other relatives and friends. Friends were received Saturday, June 19 at the Fowler Funeral Home, Inc. in Brockport. Those wishing may make donations to Brittney and Clifton Rife III Bank Fund Staff, Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 27755, Washington, D.C. 20038-7755 in his memory. BROCKPORT •Harrell, Elizabeth J., June 15, 2004 at the age of 71. Loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend to all. She is survived by her husband, Charles R. Harrell; sons, Wayne and Warren Allen; daughter, Susan Harrell; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. A Funeral Service was held June 19 at Fowler Funeral Home, Inc., Brockport. Interment at the convenience of the family. Contributions can be made to Visiting Nurse Hospice, 2180 Empire Boulevard, Webster, NY 14580 in her memory. •Lingle, Sophia J., On June 14, 2004, at the age of 86. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Stephen P. Lingle. She is survived by her son, Joseph (Michelle) Lingle; daughter, Sandra (Carole Graver) Lingle; grandmother of three. A Funeral Service was held June 18 at Fowler Funeral Home, Inc., Brockport. Interment, Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Donations can be made to Brockport Volunteer Fire or Ambulance in her memory. •Rife II, Sgt. Clifton, Metropolitan Police, Washington, D.C., of Maryland, formerly of Brock-port. On June 2, 2004. He is survived by his wife, Kristine; his beloved children, Brittney and Clifton III; his parents, Clifton "Duke" and Billie; brother, Leondis (Rose); nephew, Michael Rife; several aunts, uncles, cousins and many dear friends. The family received friends June 19 at Fowler Funeral Home, Inc., Brockport. Donations can be made to Brittney A. and Clifton Rife III Bank Fund Staff, Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 27755, Washington, D.C. 20038-7755 in his memory. •Wolf, Elsie M., On June 8, 2004, at the age of 90. She is predeceased by her husband, Raymond C.; grandson, David Gatti and son-in-law, Pasquale Gatti. Survived by her daughters, Shirley Gatti of Rochester, Rosemary (Robert) Kingsley of Rochester, Gloria (James) O'Mara of Albion, Ellen Wolf of Dayton, Tennessee, Cynthia (Frank) Cape and Carol (Tom) Durfee of Sarasota, Florida; sons, William G. (Dana) Wolf of Montgomery, Alabama and Raymond Carl Wolf II of Clermont, Florida; 20 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; brothers, Arnold Maisie of Webster, California and Vernon "Stubby" Webster of Rochester; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Swartz and Jean Webster; several nieces, nephews and cousins. A Funeral Service was held June 11 at the Fowler Funeral Home, Inc., Brockport. Interment, Lakeside Cemetery. CHURCHVILLE •Schur, Patrick L., June 10, 2004 at age 81. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary L. Schur; his sons Patrick J. (Lorie) Schur and Charles J. Schur; five grandchildren, Andrew, Amanda, Angela, Rachel and Daniel; his sister Rita (George) Smith; sisters-in-law Margaret A. Nelson and Georgina Brady; his good friends Tom, Neal, Steve and Tim; nieces and nephews. He was a retiree of Churchville-Chili School District and was a member of Harvey C. Noone American Legion Post #954. A Memorial Mass was said June 12 at St. Vincent DePaul Church, Churchville. Contributions can be made to St. Vincent DePaul Church, Churchville Volunteer Fire Department or to the Churchville Lions Club in his memory. HAMLIN •Carlo, Richard N., On June 13, 2004. He is predeceased by his son Paul and is survived by his wife, Gloria; his children, Candice Carlo, Richard (Diane); five grandchildren, Lauren Carlo, Paul (Lyndsay), Don Carlos/Clauss, Allison and Nicholas Carlo; two great grandchildren; three sisters, Margaret (Joseph) Vona, Irene Gutowski, Helen Pendolino; several nieces and nephews. A Funeral Mass was said June 17 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Hamlin. Interment Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 435 East Henrietta Road, Rochester 14620 in his memory. •Kulli, Alexander Charles Cable, June 8, 2004, age 26. He is survived by his parents, John Kulli and Cynthia Cable; his sisters, Victoria Janna Cable Kulli and Anne Ekaterina Cable Kulli; his brother, Martin Albert Cable Kulli; grandparents, Edna Jean and John Emil Kulli; aunts and uncles, Jolinda and William Taylor, Sandra Kulli and Dundas Flaherty, Nancy Cable Hastings and Derrick Hastings. Alexander was a graduate of Pittsford Sutherland High School, received his B.A. from SUNY Albany, 2000, where he was an EMT Volunteer. Lately, he was a lab tech at Strong Memorial Hospital. A Memorial Gathering was held June 12 at Lamberton Conservatory at Highland Park, Rochester. Memorial donations in his name can be made to University at Albany Foundation (5 Quad Ambulance Fund) UAB-201, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222. •Schweitzer, Ernest F., June 8, 2004, age 85. Predeceased by his brother, Albert; sister, Hilda Borowski. Survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Susan; daughter Sandy (Vince) Micillo; grandsons, Justin and Nathan and sister, Ethel Schweitzer. Ernest was a WWII veteran. A Memorial Service was held June 19 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church. Private interment, Lakeside Cemetery. Contributions can be made to St. Matthew Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 67304, Rochester, NY 14617 in his memory. •Speed, Gary A., On June 13, 2004. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; his children, Debra Grubb, Steven, Tony; five grandchildren, Nicholas, Kacie, Kristen Grubb, Eryn and Robert Grath; his sister, Arlence (Robert) Kreisler; several nieces, nephews, aunts and cousins. A Memorial Service was held June 17 at the Fowler Funeral Home, Inc., Brockport. Private interment. Contributions can be made to Hamlin Lions Club or the American Cancer Society in his memory. HILTON •Oswald, Ann L. (Johnson), June 12, 2004, age 72. Survived by her husband of 50 years, Robert Sr.; son, Robert (Cindy) Oswald Jr.; grandsons, Robert Oswald III, James (Ashley Norton) Oswald; sisters-in-law, Ruth and Helen Johnson; many nieces, nephews and cousins. A Funeral Service was held June 15 at the Thomas E. Burger Funeral Home, Inc., Hilton. Interment, Parma Union Cemetery. Contributions can be made to Rochester General Hospital Foundation or Hilton Fire Department in her memory. •Scharr, Harold, April 10, 2004, age 85. Survived by nieces, nephews and friends. Harold was a WWII veteran, and served in the Navy aboard the Casa Grande in the South Pacific. He was a retiree from the U. S. Postal Service and retired to his home in Florida. A Memorial Service was held June 12 at Resurrection Garden Mausoleum at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. SPENCERPORT •Kehoe, Lawrence T., June 14, 2004 at age 93. He was predeceased in 1988 by his wife Ruth F. Kehoe. He is survived by many dear friends. He was a member of the Spencerport Volunteer Fire Department and was an Army veteran of WWII. A Funeral Service was held June 16 at Walker Brothers Co. Funeral Home Inc., Spencerport. Interment Fairfield Cemetery. Contributions can be made to the Spencerport Volunteer Fire Department in his memory. |
Frank Vespi, formerly of area