Obituaries

Robert B. Hess, 96 of Alexander, passed away on Thursday, January 14, 2021 at the VA Medical Center in Buffalo. He was born in Benton, PA on January 22, 1924 to the late Khor (Hester A. Everitt) Hess. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Beverly (Shadbolt) Hess, son James Hess, siblings, Martha, Peg, Dean and Ralph.

Mr. Hess was a proud United States Army Veteran; he served in WWII with the 73^rd Bomb Disposal Squad and received 3 Bronze Stars along with other medals and commendations. He was a Shriner with the Masons, accomplished bowler and avid outdoorsman that loved to hunt and fish. After retiring from AJ Trucking in Buffalo, Mr. Hess enjoyed going back and forth to Florida in the winters with his wife. He was a loving, caring husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.     

Mr. Hess is survived by his children David (Joan) Hess of Alexander, Debora Hess of East Hampton, CT, 5 grandchildren, Amanda, David Jr., Patricia, Victoria and Kathleen, two great-grandchildren, Victoria and Ellie, along with many nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to call on Thursday, January 21, 2021 from 5 to 8 PM at Marley Funeral Home, LLC, 135 Main Street, Attica, New York 14011. Funeral Services will be held privately. He will be laid to rest in Forest Hill Cemetery, Attica, with Military Honors.  

Please note the Funeral Home will be operating at 33% capacity per state guidelines. New York State requires those in attendance to adhere to the social distancing guidelines and face coverings are mandatory. You may be required to wait outside. Thank you for your cooperation.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Alexander Fire Department, PO Box 336, Alexander, NY 14005. For more information please call (585) 591-1212 or to leave a message of condolence visit www.marleyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Marley Funeral Home, LLC, 135 Main Street, Attica, NY 14011.   

Byron - Dorothy C. Berkoski, 88 of Byron, formerly of Southampton, NY and Paradise Valley, AZ, passed away on Tuesday, (January 12, 2021) at LeRoy Village Green in LeRoy.

Mrs. Berkoski was born July 23, 1932 in Southampton, New York a daughter of the late Joseph and Cecelia (Zaneski) Eames.

Dorothy is the wife of the late William Berkoski, Sr. who passed away in 2019, mother of the late William A. Berkoski, Jr.; and mother-in-law of the late Teresa F. Berkoski.

Dorothy or “Dottie,” as she was known to all, worked for many years as a hairdresser in Southampton where she owned her salon, “The Hairitage.” She touched many lives there and in her personal life. She was a Girl Scout leader for many years and loved all children. She had a special corner chair just for childrens’ haircuts in her salon.  Dottie readily made friends of all the children at mass in their church in Arizona, usually bringing them little gifts on Sundays.  She was known to all as a Teddy Bear collector and donated many bears over the years to the ambulance company in Scottsdale for children to hold when they got hurt.  She spoiled and loved each one of her grandchildren, often sending care packages.

Dottie had many friends, making them everywhere she touched with her sparkling presence. She was a self-proclaimed “hugger” and many fondly recall the warmth of her signature embrace.  Our mom loved with her whole heart and everyone she knew was considered family.  Whether you called her Mom, Bachie, Chochie, or just plain Dottie, she was loved by all!  

She is survived by her children, Catherine (James) Glazier of Byron, and Alan Berkoski of Manhattan; grandchildren, Jennifer (Michael) Caruso, Amanda (Eric) Frantzen, Lisa (Robert ) Graziano, Michael (Virginia) Glazier, Kristin Glazier, Lindsey ( Jacob) Waliszewski, Bryan Glazier; great-grandchildren, Tessa and Eleanor Caruso, Natalie and Charlotte Frantzen, Josephine Glazier. Also surviving are her God-family, Ray (Olga) Berkoski and their son, Ray, III of Arizona.

There will be no visitation.  A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Poland in Southampton at the convenience of the family.  Burial will be in Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary R.C. Cemetery, Southampton.  

 In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Dorothy's name to the Coalition for Women's Cancers, c/o Southampton Hospital Foundation, 240 Meeting House Lane, Southampton, NY 11968-5090 (Please make check payable to Southampton Hospital Foundation and include CWC on the memo line).  

Arrangements were entrusted to the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 51 S. Lake Ave., Bergen (585) 494-1210. Please leave a condolence, share a story, or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

  Frank J. Gallo, 87, of Batavia passed away peacefully on January 12, 2021 at the Premier Genesee Nursing Facility. He was born on May 28, 1933 in Oakfield to the late Rosario and Mary (Marabella) Gallo.

In addition to his parents, Frank is predeceased by his son; John J. Gallo; grandson Vincent Gallo; siblings Anthony (Rose) Gallo, John Gallo, Patsy Gallo, Josephine (Joe) Joy, Theresa (Anthony) Massaro, Betty (Frank) Spadacino, Mildred Gallo, and sister in law Dolores Gallo.

He is survived by his sons; Frank Gallo of Batavia and Anthony (Maryann) Gallo of Batavia; brother Sam Gallo of Williamson and sister in law Margaret Gallo of Batavia; along with 7 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Frank worked for many years at Trojan Industries in Batavia. He enjoyed watching the Yankees and Boxing. Above all else, Frank loved spending time with his grandchildren, great grandchildren and his sons in the Adirondacks.

There will be no prior calling hours. A private Funeral Service will be held for the family. He will be laid to rest in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Crossroads House www.crossroadshouse.com or the Children’s Advocacy Center 302 East Main St. Batavia, NY 14020. For more information please call 585-343-8260, or to leave a message of condolence please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020.

Oakfield-Jean Marie (Wetherwax) Drock 79 years old, passed away Monday January 11, 2021 at United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia.

She was born March 29, 1942, in Batavia, a daughter of the late Clayton and Mary (Stringham) Wetherwax.  

Jean resided her entire life in her childhood home in Oakfield NY. In her lifetime she enjoyed bowling, loved to read and do puzzles as well watch cooking shows, soap operas and NCIS.  Jean was a long time camper at Godfrey's Pond.  She never missed a summer.  Camping and the people there were the highlight of her life and the campers were like family to her.

Jean worked at GTE Sylvania, Oliver's Candies and Oakfield Alabama Central School. The most important job Jean had was being a mother and devoted wife.  She continued her motherly role with helping raise her grandchildren. She was a staple for her children and grandchildren.

She is predeceased by her husband of 58 years Ronald Drock, siblings Audrey Hodgkins, David Wetherwax, and Kathy Miller.
 
She is survived by her children Linda Drock of Batavia, Brian (Gaye) Drock, Basom, and Jennifer Maskell (Chris Grill) Union, Missouri; her grandchildren, Triton Drock, Jessica Benson, Cassandra Drock, Kelly Maskell, Andrew Branam-Drock, and Lukas Maskell and many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call on Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Burdett & Sanford Funeral Home, 11 Maple Avenue, Oakfield. Services will immediately follow visitation at 1 p.m. She will be laid to rest in Cary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Genesee County Fish & Game Protective Association, Inc., P.O. Box 217, Batavia, New York 14021. To leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle in Jean's name, please visit www.burdettandsanford.com.

Please note the funeral home is restricted to occupancy of 25 people. Facial coverings and social distancing are required. We thank you for yor cooperation.