Obituaries

Twila Sara Whalen, passed away peacefully on October 19, 2013 in Elk Grove, California.  She was 97 years old. Twila was born in in Williamsport, Pennsylvania on November 5, 1915 to Margaret "Effie" (Clowes) and John Christian Wagener. A talented artist, Twila attended Buffalo State University and graduated in 1938 with a Bachelor of Art degree in Art Education and began her career as a high school art teacher. She married William Whalen in 1946 and moved to Attica New York where they raised their two daughters, Margaret and Maureen.  She was an art teacher at Alexander High School for 22 years and in 1976 she retired after a total of 27 years of teaching. Twila was a dedicated Christian and active member in her church, the New Life Fellowship in Attica, New York.  She enjoyed hosting weekly Bible Study groups and spending much of her efforts for God.  She loved to draw and paint and she showed her appreciation of natures beauty in her artwork.

Twila is survived by her brother, Phillip Wagener, her nephew, Robert Wagener, her daughter, Margaret (Whalen) LaPlaunt and her husband, Greg, her granddaughter Erin (LaPlaunt) Hohl, grandson Gregory LaPlaunt and Great- Grandson, Tommy Hohl.

There will be no prior calling hours and Funeral Services will be held privately. She will be laid to rest at Forest Hill Cemetery in Attica.

For more information please call (585) 343-8260 or to sign the online guest registry please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020.

Age 72, of Lancaster, died peacefully Wednesday evening October 23, 2013 at Buffalo General Hospital with his family at his side. He was born January 15, 1941 in Bergen, NY to the late Morris and Monica (Lynch) Cunningham also preceded in death by his brother, John and sister, Ann Murphy.

   Robert was an Army Veteran and then served many years with the USAFR at the Niagara Falls Air Base, retiring in 2001 as a Tech. Sergeant. He had an extensive career in public service, having been a City of Batavia Fireman, served with the LeRoy Police Department and retired as a Senior Officer with the East Aurora Police Department. As he retired, Bob developed a passion for golf, enjoyed woodworking and refinishing furniture.

   Surviving is his beloved wife of 43 years, Linda (Mickey) Cunningham of Lancaster; sons, Daniel of Bloomfield, Michael (Joanne) of FL, Steven (Julie) of Bergen; daughter, Charlene (Mark) Baylor of Holley; brother, George (Marjorie) Cunningham; sister-in-law, Norma Cunningham all of Bergen; 7 grandchildren, Joshua, Robert, Sean, Seth, Ainsley, Eagan & Venus; 3 great-grandchildren, Dylan, Jackson & Emily; brothers and sisters-in-law, Susan Mickey of Batavia, Carol (Angelo) Gifaldi of Holley, Joseph Mickey of Elba, Nancy Mickey of Batavia, Gary (Tina) Mickey of Brockport and Sharon (Steve) Lauzze of Corfu along with many nieces, nephews and friends.

   Family and friends may visit from 2-8 p.m. Saturday October 26, 2013 at the Michael S. Tomaszewski Funeral & Cremation Chapel, LLC 4120 West Main Street Road Batavia, New York 14020, where funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Sunday October 27. Burial will be in Grand View Cemetery with Full Military Honors, in lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Hospice Buffalo 225 Como Park Blvd. Cheektowaga, NY 14227 or the Wounded Warrior Project P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, KS 66675.           

Please share your memories of Bob, with his family at www.tomaszewskifh.com and for more information call Michael at (585)343-7500.

THE FAMILY OF ROBERT M. CUNNINGHAM IS BEING CARED FOR BY THE MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK 14020.

Freda Little, 91 of Batavia, passed away on Wednesday October 23, 2013 at United Memorial Medical Center. She was born March 9, 1922 in Robinson, PA to the late Harry (Minnie Mae Henderson) Johns. Mrs. Little was retired from the Daily News and she previously worked at Cooperative Extension. She was a wonderful cook who enjoyed canning and candy making. Her greatest joy was taking care of her family and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband David Little Jr. in 1984, great-grandson Justin Jacobs, son-in-law Norman Wawrzyniak, brothers Ralph, Paul, Art, Tom Johns, and sister Laurabelle Mack.

Freda is survived by her sons David (Zoraida) Little III of Batavia, Paul (Linda) Little of Elba, daughters Mary Graham, Winifred Wawrzyniak, Betty (John) Worthington and Patty Little all of Batavia. 13 Grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren,      8 great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call on Sunday October 27, 2013 from 3 to 7 PM at the Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main St. Batavia, NY 14020. 11:00 AM Funeral Services will be held on Monday October 28, 2013 at the Funeral Home. Interment will take place in Grand View Cemetery, Batavia.

Memorials are suggested to a Charity of the Donor’s Choice. For more information please call 343-8260 or to sign the online guest registry go to www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020.

LeRoy ~ Thelma M. Ash, age 86, of West Avenue, passed away early Sunday evening (October 20, 2013) at United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia.

     There will be no calling hours and services will be announced at a later date.

     Mrs. Ash is being cared for by the Falcone Family Funeral & Cremation Service Inc. (585) 768-2400

Mary A. Jacobs, 83 of Batavia, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday October 21, 2013 at the Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center in Rochester. She was born December 21, 1929 in Batavia to the late Salvatore (Phyllis LaLoggia) Maniace. Mary was a longtime member of St. Anthony’s church and the Notre Dame Prayer Group. She worked for 27 years at GTE Sylvania and then at Kodak for 7 years. Mary was a very giving and charitable person that donated to many charities including the Boys Club of America, Catholic Charities, UNICEF, and the American Cancer Society. She loved cooking, cleaning, gardening, planting flowers, and holidays especially Christmas. Mary will be remembered as a peacemaker, very loving wife, mother, grandmother. Her love of family, strong faith in the Lord and generosity will be missed by those who knew her. She is preceded in death by brothers, John, Charles, Sam Jr., Dominic, Franklin "Ace" Maniace; sisters, Josephine DeFazio and Frances Mandelar.

She is survived by her beloved husband Neil Jacobs, son Neil (Luann) Jacobs, Jr., daughter Patricia Barnes, grandchildren Joshua, Taylor, and Jenna Jacobs all of Batavia; brothers, Michael (Beverly) of Batavia, Joseph (Joan) of East Bethany, Nathan of Batavia, Richard (Kathy) of FL and Robert of Batavia; sisters, Angeline Siracuse, Lucille (Clarence) Dora, Rose Marie Torres, Dorothy (Lester) Schaffer and Linda Maniace all of Batavia; sisters-in-law, Nicolina Maniace of Batavia; Linda (Dick) Wolfe of Batavia; brother-in-law Larry (Audrey) Jacobs of FL, along with many nieces, nephews and friends.

Friends are invited to call on Friday October 25, 2013 from 2-6 PM at the Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main St. Batavia, New York 14020. A 10:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday October 26, 2013 at Resurrection Parish-St. Mary’s Church 18 Ellicott St. Batavia, NY 14020. Interment will take place in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Batavia. 

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center 2652 Ridgeway Ave. Rochester, NY 14626. To sign the online guest registry please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com or for more information call (585) 343-8260. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020.

Ronald J. Root, 71of Albion, passed away on October 18, 2013 at the United Memorial Medical Center. He was born March 5, 1942 in Brockport to the late Sheldon C. (Lois Barclay) Root. Mr. Root served his country proudly as a Sergeant 1st Class in the United States Army from 1964 until his retirement in 1990. He was a longtime member of the Conservation Club of Brockport.

Ronald is survived by his beloved wife Patricia G. (Manning) Root of Albion; son Jeffrey Root of Albion; daughter Wendy (Michael) Mucher of Batavia; grandchildren David DiSalvo of Oswego; Katelyn DiSalvo of Cheektowaga; Kari Root-Stoddard of Jacksonville, NC; Aaron (Crystal Brazil) Mucher of Batavia; great-grandchildren Maddison and Mason Mucher of Batavia, along with several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call on Monday October 21, 2013 from 4 to 8 PM at the Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main St. Batavia, NY 14020. 11:00 AM Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday October 22, 2013 at the Funeral Home. Interment will take place in Lakeview Cemetery, Brockport.   

Memorials are suggested to Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance 239 S. Main St. Albion, NY 14411 or to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org. For more information please call 343-8260 or to sign the online guest registry go to www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020.

Craig Nelson Nobles, 47 of Buffalo, passed away at his home on October 19, 2013 after a courageous battle with lifelong illness’s. He was born February 22, 1966 in Olean to the late Richard Nelson Nobles Sr. and Patricia (Mulvenna) Nobles of Batavia.

Craig is survived by his mother, brother Richard N. (Susan) Nobles, Jr. of Batavia; sisters Eileen (Louis) Paganello of Batavia; Joanne (Steve) Kawa of West Seneca; several nieces and nephews; dearest companion Michelle Skinner of Canada; close friend Tom Kawa of West Seneca.

Friends may call on Tuesday October 22, 2013 from 5 to 8 PM at the Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc., 329-333 West Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday at 10:00 AM in Resurrection Parish, (St. Mary’s site) 18 Ellicott Street, Batavia, NY. Entombment will take place in St. Joseph’s Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested in the form of Mass Cards.  For more information please call 343-8260 or to sign the online guest registry go to www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020.

DOMINIC V. MANIACE – Age 85, of Batavia, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday afternoon October 16, 2013 at United Memorial Medical Center. He was born January 28, 1928 in Batavia, NY to the late Salvatore and Phyllis (LaLoggia) Maniace, also preceded in death by his brothers, John, Charles, Sam Jr., Franklin "Ace" Maniace; sisters, Josephine DeFazio and Frances Mandelar.

   Dominic was a lifelong Batavia resident, an Army Veteran of WWII, member of Ascension Parish and its Holy Name Society and the Notre Dame Prayer Group. He enjoyed playing the guitar, cooking, baking, watching sports, especially football, his dog, Ginger and his daughters dog, Selah. Dom will be remembered for his love of family and his strong faith in the Lord.

   Surviving is his loving daughter, Deb Maniace of Batavia;  brothers, Michael (Beverly) of Batavia, Joseph (Joan) of East Bethany, Nathan of Batavia, Richard (Kathy) of FL and Robert of Batavia; sisters, Mary (Neil) Jacobs, Angeline Siracuse, Lucille (Clarence) Dora, Rose Marie Torres, Dorothy (Lester) Schaffer and Linda Maniace all of Batavia; sister-in-law, Nicolina Maniace of Batavia along with many nieces, nephews and friends.

   Family and friends may visit from 2-6 PM Monday October 21, 2013 at the Michael S. Tomaszewski Funeral & Cremation Chapel, LLC 4120 West Main Street Road Batavia, New York 14020, where prayers will be recited 9:30 a.m. Tuesday October 22, 2013 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 a.m. at Ascension Parish (Sacred Heart Site), celebrated by Fr. Richard Csizmar. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery, memorials are suggested to Genesee Cancer Assistance, Inc. 16 Bank Street Batavia, New York 14020 or Care-A-Van Ministries PO Box 1611 Batavia, New York 14021.           

Please share your memories of Dom, with his family at www.tomaszewskifh.com and for more information call Michael at (585)343-7500.

THE FAMILY OF DOMINIC V. MANIACE IS BEING CARED FOR BY THE MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK 14020.

Unique-Lynn Fox, 5 months of Batavia, passed away on October 11, 2013 at the United Memorial Medical Center. She was born on April 24, 2013 in Batavia to Thomas Gibson of Batavia and Christina Fox of Batavia. Unique-Lynn will be remembered as a very happy, curious baby that had a tremendous smile.

Unique-Lynn is survived by her parents, maternal grandparents Tim Fox of Batavia; Shari Fox of FL; paternal grandparents Angela Flowers of Batavia; Harry Gibson of Batavia; 7 siblings along with many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Friends may call on Wednesday October 16, 2013 from 11 AM to 12 Noon at the First Baptist Church 306 E. Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020. Funeral Services will follow calling on Wednesday 12:00 Noon at the church. Interment will take place in Grand View Cemetery, Batavia.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Family. For more information please call 343-8260 or to sign the online guest registry go to www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020.

LeRoy / Limerock ~ Audrey M. Finco, age 89, passed away peacefully Friday evening (Oct. 11, 2013) at her home surrounded by her loving family.

     Mrs. Finco was born December 25, 1923 in Caledonia, N.Y., a daughter of the late Richard Grayson and Helen Skelly Pangrazio.

     She will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother and sister, who was truly devoted to her family.  She was a fantastic cook and wonderful pie maker, who cherished the family holiday gatherings.  She was also a great New York Yankee fan.  She was a member of Our Lady of Mercy Parish and had a very special devotion to St. Jude.

     She is survived by her daughters; Janice (Donald) Kurtz of LeRoy, Judith (William) Holly of E. Bethany and Joyce (Gerald) Aron of LeRoy, her sisters; Regina Alexyn of LeRoy and Lorraine Maxwell of LeRoy, her brother; Paul (Virginia) Pangrazio of Stafford, 7 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, her beloved pet, Ali, along with many cousins, nieces and nephews.  In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Alfred.

     Family and friends may call on Tuesday from 4 ~ 8 P.M. at the Falcone Family Funeral & Cremation Service Inc., 8700 Lake Road (Rt. 19), LeRoy.  Rite of Christian Burial will be Wednesday at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Mercy Parish (St. Peter's Site), 44 Lake Street, LeRoy.    Memorials are suggested to either St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Volunteers for Animals, 3841 W. Main Street Road, Batavia, NY 14020. 

      Condolences may be offered to Audrey's family at www.falconefuneralhome.com .

     Mrs. Finco and her famiy are being cared for by the Falcone Family Funeral & Cremation Service Inc. (585) 768~2400

George F. Gilmartin, 84 of Batavia, passed away on October 9, 2013 at the United Memorial Medical Center. He was born August 23, 1929 in Eagle, NY to the late F. Leon (Katheryn George) Gilmartin. George was a graduate of Batavia High School, he attended the Citadel, and graduated from Syracuse University. He was a member of Resurrection Parish, a Navy Veteran of the Korean Conflict where he was a pilot trainer. He was the Director of the Budget for  SUNY at Alfred College of Technology, where he retired in 1987 as Administrator Emeritus from SUNY Alfred. He previously was a member of the startup staff for GTE Sylvania in Buffalo and then in Batavia, he worked for the former Springfield Casket Co and Boyertown Casket Company. He was an officer and member of the Board of Allegany County Community Service , officer and director of Allegany Council on Alcoholism, officer and director of Allegany Rehab Associates, officer and director Rural Health and Human Services Corp., Officer and director of Alfred Lions Club, and the Financial Chairman of St. Brendan & St. Jude R.C. Churches in Almond and Alfred.  George was an avid sports fan especially of the NY Yankees and the Syracuse Orangemen.  He is preceded in death by two brothers Darwin and Donald Gilmartin, sister Virginia (James) Metzger and nephew Peter Metzger.

George is survived by his sister in law Marie Gilmartin of Batavia, nieces and nephews Maria (Timothy) Woodward of Batavia, Patrick (Lucinda) Gilmartin of Buffalo, James (Tracy) Metzger of CA, Jennifer Brundage of NJ, John Gilmartin of FL, Susan Ohlemacher of Ohio, Richard (Nancy) Gilmartin of Batavia and Mary Beth (Peter) Mattei of CA. Several great  and great great nieces and nephews also survive along with his dear friends Mr. & Mrs. Chester Galle of Alfred Station.

Friends may call on Sunday October 13, 2013 from 2 to 5 PM at the Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, NY 14020. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday at 9:30 AM in Resurrection Parish, (St. Mary’s site) 18 Ellicott Street, Batavia, NY. Entombment will take place in St. Joseph’s Mausoleum, Batavia. 

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Genesee Cancer Assistance, 16 Bank Street, Batavia, NY 14020 or Resurrection Parish, 303 East Main St., Batavia, NY 14020.  For more information please call 343-8260 or to sign the online guest registry go to www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020.
 

Mary A. McComb (Nee, Tomasello) passed away peacefully and contentedly on Monday October 5, 2013 at the Crossroads House in Batavia. She was 90 years old. Mary was born May 18, 1923 and raised in in Buffalo, daughter to the late Anthony (Concetta) Tomasello.

She came to live in Batavia in 1965 with her husband, Daniel R. McComb, to work at Sylvania.
Mary loved to sing, cook Italian dishes and watch the news on TV. Her whole life revolved around her children, Daniel, Dennis, Sharon and Darlene. Mary was always there for her children right until the very end. She was always, first and foremost, a mother to her children.
One of Mary’s first jobs was as a secretary to the Mayor of Buffalo. In later life she worked at Sylvania and then at Kodak. 

Those who passed away before her were her husband, Daniel McComb; her father and mother, her brother, Charles Tomasello; her sister, Caroline Carey and her brother, Salvatore Tomasello.

She is survived by her children, Daniel (Peggy) McComb of Batavia; Dennis (Karen) McComb of Oakfield; Darlene McComb of LeRoy; Sharon Chase of Rochester; brothers, James (Terry) Tomasello of Buffalo; Anthony (Delores) Tomasello of Grand Island; David (Jackie) Tomasello of Kenmore; Richard (Elaine) Tomasello of Buffalo; sisters, Frances Bly of Springville; Constance Cusimano of Kenmore; Delores (Robert) Hylkema of Amherst; Linda Morton of Kenmore; and Diana (Gary) Noddy of Alabama.

There will be no prior calling hours. There will be a private party to celebrate her life.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Crossroads House 11 Liberty St. Batavia, NY 14020. To sign the online guest registry please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com or for more information call (585) 343-8260. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020.

Olga had a great love for family and friends, she enjoyed cooking and gardening.

Surviving is her loving daughter, Maria (Jim) Pinopoulos, a son, Telly all of Albion;  brother, Stylianos "Steve" (Rula) Spyropoulos of Batavia; sisters, Anthi (late Van) Lolis of Victor, Eleni (Menelas) Tsatsauris, Stauroula Mertsiotos, Georgia (Vasilios) Tzetzis all of Greece and Vasiliki (Sotirios) Natsias of Australia; daughters-in-law, Sophie Tavelaris of Brockport and Artemis Tavelaris of Spencerport; 11 great-grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends may visit from 5-8 PM Tuesday, October 8, 2013, at the Michael S. Tomaszewski Funeral & Cremation Chapel, LLC 4120 West Main Street Road Batavia, New York 14020, with the Trisagon prayer at 7 p.m. Please join the family at 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 9 at the Greek Church of the Annunciation: 926 East Ave. Rochester, New York 14607. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Albion, NY memorials are suggested to the church.           

Please share your memories of Olga, with her family at www.tomaszewskifh.com, and for more information call Michael at (585)343-7500.

THE FAMILY OF OLGA TAVELARIS IS BEING CARED FOR BY THE MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK 14020.

SALVATORE R. FIANNACA – Age 89, of Scottsdale, Arizona and formerly of Batavia died Thursday September 12, 2013 at Hospice of the Valley @ Eckstine in Scottsdale. He was born January 18, 1924 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Joseph and Jacqueline (Graziano) Fiannaca also preceded in death by his brother, Joseph and sisters, Theresa and Josephine.

   Mr. Fiannaca was an Army Air Corp. veteran of WWII serving in the Pacific Theatre. He and his wife loved to travel and in the early 90's retired to Scottsdale. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

   Surviving is his beloved wife of 67 years, Lena (Pilato) Fiannaca; loving son, Joe (Rosemary) Fiannaca of Batavia; 3 grandchildren, Joseph (Kristin) Fiannaca of Rochester, Greg Fiannaca and Melissa (AJ) Kasmarek both of Batavia; brother, Jack (Jean) Fiannaca of Rochester; sisters-in-law, Frances Pilato and Fee McDermott both of Arizona and Jennie Bianconi of TN; 6 great-grandchildren, special niece, Karen McDermott of Arizona along with several nieces and nephews.

   Funeral services will be held privately by the family, burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery with Military Honors. Memorials in Mr. Fiannaca's memory are suggested to Genesee Cancer Assistance 16 Bank Street or Crossroads House 11 Liberty Street Batavia, New York 14020.

Please share your memories of Salvatore with his family at www.tomaszewskifh.com and for more information please call Michael at (585)343-7500.

THE FAMILY OF SALVATORE R. FIANNACA IS BEING CARED FOR BY THE MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK.