Obituaries

Duane Clarence Cook of Lockport, New York, age 101, passed away on Thursday, January 5, 2023 at Lockport Rehab and Health Care Center.  Mr. Cook was born October 21, 1921 in St. Jerome’s Hospital, Batavia, New York, and was the eldest son of the late Clarence and Nora (Thompson) Cook.  

Mr. Cook grew up on a farm in Indian Falls, New York, and graduated in 1949 from Cornell University with a degree in Agricultural Economics.   He married the love of his life, Shirley Steiner of Crittenden, New York on February 11, 1950.   Mr. Cook later earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University at Buffalo and worked as case supervisor for the Child Protection Unit at the Niagara County Department of Social Services until his retirement in 1978.  

During his 100th birthday celebration last year, Mr. Cook reminisced about how his life growing up on the farm began in the era of the horse and buggy, and included the introduction of electricity, the radio, and automobiles.  He was passionate about history, especially the Civil War era, and was an avid Buffalo Bills fan. 

Mr. Cook is predeceased by Shirley Steiner Cook, who passed away on February 10, 2012.  He is also predeceased by brothers Calvin (late Irene) Cook and Stewart (late Ruth) Cook, and sisters Verna (late Gerry) Reynolds and Leona (late Francis) Harloff.  

Surviving are his brother, Elliott (late Cookie) Cook of Alameda, California, and his children, Douglas (Mona) Cook of Auburn, California and Ginny (Roger) McEldowney of Carefree, Arizona.   

He is also survived by granddaughter Elizabeth (Carter) Navarro of Holliston, Massachusetts, great-grandchildren Alexander and Emily Navarro, and granddaughter Jennyfer Lindsay-Cook of Alameda, California, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

A memorial service and interment will be planned for this summer at Evergreen Hill Cemetery, Corfu, New York.  Arrangements are being made by C.B. Beach & Son Mortuary in Corfu, NY.

LeRoy ~ John C. Zimber passed away on January 8, 2023 after a brief illness.

     Born in 1940, John was and lived as a member of the Greatest Generation.  He often said the best times were behind all of us.  John worked at and retired from Rochester Telephone of his entire adult life.  John had many side hustles, from a snowmobile repair shop in Rush, to Milewood construction and Charter Captain.  John lived large and said, that he did about everything he wanted to in life, including a trip to Japan with his young grandkids.

     He asked for little and gave far more.

     John is survived by his “Together Forever” partner of 30 years, Nancy (Miller) Tash; his sister, Karen (Reed) Brown of Michigan; daughter, Sue Ingalls (Cheryll Mitchell); 3 grandchildren, Corey Ingalls (Emily Neth), Jamie (Jordan) Filio and Leslie Ingalls; son, Scott Zimber (Kyoko); 2 grandchildren, Sean Zimber (Momo) and Hana Zimber; along with 4 great-grandchildren, Jaxson, Remi, Macedon and Finley.

     He also leaves behind cousins and too many friends to list.

     At John’s request, there will be no prior visitation.  Family and friends are invited to attend his Rite of Christian Burial to be held on Monday, March 13 at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Mercy Parish, St. Peter’s Church, 44 Lake St., LeRoy.  Interment will be private in Machpelah Cemetery.

     In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Mercy Flight EMS, 100 Amherst Villa Rd., Buffalo, NY 14225.

     Your memories and condolences may be shared with John’s family at www.falconefuneralhome.com.

Churchville ~ Greg P. Hixenbaugh, age 52, passed away on Sunday, January 8, 2023 as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident.

     He was born March 13, 1970 in Rochester, a son of William L. Hixenbaugh and Mary Catherine Johnston.

     Greg will be remembered for his love of family and his sense of humor. He was a proud U.S. Marine veteran.  His love of fitness and training led him down many paths.  He worked at the University of North Carolina coaching, along with working with the local youths in the “Young Marines” Program.  Greg went on to work in the NFL for the Carolina Panthers as their strength and conditioning coach.  At one point in his career, Greg was also a bodyguard for Shaquille O’Neal. 

     In addition to his father, William (Kathy) Hixenbaugh and his mother, Mary Kay Kedian (Joe Duncan), he is survived by his wife, Jennifer Clor Hixenbaugh; daughters, Alyssa Fiacco and Shelby (Robert) Cintron; grandchild, Boone Cintron; siblings, Ken (Michelle) Hixenbaugh, Bill Hixenbaugh, Mike Hixenbaugh, Shari (late Mike) Page and Kevin (Taryn) Hixenbaugh, along with many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

     Family and friends may call on Thursday, January 12 from 3 ~ 5 PM at the Falcone Family Funeral & Cremation Service Inc., 8700 Lake St. Rd. (Rt. 19), LeRoy, where his Service of Remembrance will be held at 5:00 PM.

     Contributions in memory of Greg are suggest to Rochester Vet Center (Veteran Mental Health Services/Counseling), 2000 S. Winton Rd., Bldg 5 Ste 201, Rochester, NY 14618.

     Your memories and condolences may be shared with Greg’s family at www.falconefuneralhome.com.

Henry (Hank) Kujawski, Sr., 91, of Batavia passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at the Sussman Palliative Care Unit at the University of Rochester Medical Center. 

He was born on October 2, 1931 in Batavia, NY, the youngest child of the late Stanley and Sophia (Weglewska) Kujawski.  Hank graduated from Batavia High School in the class of 1950.  He worked at Kisiel Die Casting, Doehler Jarvis, Massey Harris and Graham Manufacturing before being drafted into the Army in 1955.  Hank was stationed at Fort Dix and served for two years state side in New Jersey at the guided missile base.  He then returned to work at Graham Manufacturing and retired in 1996 as a production manager with 44 years of employment.  Hank was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Church/Ascension Parish and was an active member of it's Holy Name Society.  He was an usher and a dedicated worker at the church lawn fete for many years.  Hank was a member of the Polish Falcons, enjoyed bowling in a league into his seventies and playing cards with family.  He took great pride in taking care of his home and yard, especially meticulously mowing and maintaining his lawn.  Hank looked forward to growing vegetables in his garden every year as well as caring for his grape vines and raspberry bushes. It delighted him to share his harvest and canned goods with neighbors, friends and family.  He was also a talented cook and baker.

Hank was predeceased by his beloved wife of nearly 50 years, Dorothy (Kisiel) Kujawski, who died on November 22, 2008.  They were married at Sacred Heart Church in Batavia on August 8, 1959. He was also predeceased by: brothers John (Florence), Louis, Martin (Florence), Anthony (Natalie), Alphonso (Rose Mary) and Joseph (Mildred); sisters Luella (Karl) Suchy, Helen (Mike) Pigula, Francis (Stuart) Wade and Anna (John) Sass; and brother in-law Harry Malczewski. 

Hank was a loving father, grandfather and father in-law and will be dearly missed by his son, Henry Kujawski, Jr., of Batavia, his daughter, Karen (Stamford) Sherwood of Vero Beach, FL and his only grandchild Dustin Anderson (Preston Whitt) of Washington, D.C.  He is also survived by his sister Marion Malczewski of LakeView, NY and many cherished nieces and nephews. 

Hank's Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 11:00am at Ascension Parish (corner of Swan and Sumner Streets). Interment of ashes with Military Honors will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery in the spring or summer of 2023. 

For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Crossroads House, 11 Liberty Street, Batavia, NY 14020 (or crossroadshouse.com) or to the Palliative Care Program, Office of Advancement, P.O. Box 278996, East River Road, Rochester, NY 14627. Expressions of condolence may be shared with the family at: www.mcandrewfuneralhomes.net.

ARRANGEMENTS WERE ENTRUSTED TO THE J. LEONARD McANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 2 BOGUE AVE., BATAVIA, NY 14020. RONALD KONIECZNY II, DIRECTOR.