Obituaries

Beaver Island, Michigan - Dennis Onofrio Monachino, age 68, died suddenly on December 21, 2022 on Beaver Island, Michigan.

He was born on June 7, 1954 in Batavia. He is predeceased by his parents, Pat C. and Mary Ellen (McDonough) Monachino.

Dennis is survived by his loving daughter, Crystal Brook Monachino; step-daughter, Carla King and her children, Rhonda, Godfrey, Damien and Austin King; step-grandson Brandon Bragg, Jr. who is predeceased by his father, Brandon Bragg, Sr.; siblings, Cynthia, Julie, Patrick (Anne Marie) and Thomas (Daun) Monachino; his companion, Eileen Woolford-Ballard; and several nieces, nephews, grand-nephews and a grand-niece.

Dennis traveled the world on his terms. He grew up in Batavia, then lived and worked in LeRoy, St. Augustine, Florida, Fort Wayne Indiana and settled in Beaver Island, Michigan. His spirit of adventure took him to faraway places like Australia and New Zealand. Dennis was an accomplished musician and artist. He regularly entertained family, friends and local audiences on Beaver Island with his superb guitar playing and singing. He shared his drawings with all who appreciated his art. His generosity and commitment to family were well known as was his love for, and mastery of, motorcycling, boating, antiquing, music and horsemanship.

Dennis was a jack-of-all-trades who loved to build and rebuild anything motorized and mobile. He worked as a local and long-haul truck driver as well as an international importer/exporter. In retirement he returned to his beloved Beaver Island-the island that captured his heart as a boy-where he owned and rode horses and sailed Lake Michigan.

Family and friends are invited to Batavia Country Club on Saturday, January 21, 2023 from 1 pm to 4 pm to celebrate his life. Please consider memorials in his name to the Elks Chapter 2886, P.O. Box 141, Beaver Island, Michigan 49782. Local arrangements are under the care of the H.E. Turner & Co. Inc. Funeral Home, 403 East Main Street, Batavia.

Batavia - Kathleen  "Kathy"  Hopkins, 68  of Oakfield passed away on Friday, January 13, 2023 at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Kathy was born Saturday, April 3rd, 1954 in Buffalo, NY, daughter of the late Victor and Theodora (Switek) Rydzynski.

She was a member of the Oakfield volunteer fire department for over 20 years. Kathy loved spending time with her family, decorating for the holidays (both inside and out), and hosting family holiday dinners.

Kathy graduated from the John F. Kennedy High School and married David Hopkins, who predeceased her in 2001. She loved her job as a teachers Aide for Oakfield-Alabama Central school until the day she retired.

Kathy was a loving wife, a caring and compassionate mother, and affectionate grandmother. She is survived by her husband Russell Young; Children, Dennis (Shana) Hoy, Christopher Hoy and Tracy Minor; Stepchildren, Will (Julie) Young and Michael (Holly) Young; a brother, Dennis Rydzynski; grandchildren, Matt Minor, Andrew Minor, Kayla Hoy, Skylar Hoy, Haylee Hoy, Emersyn Dyer, Drake Dyer, Alexander Hoy, Michael Hoy, Ashlee Young, and Haylee Young; brother in law, Jake (Peg) Fager, Robert (Linda) Young, and Mark (Janine) Young; her fur buddy, Radar, and and many nieces and nephews.

Kathy is predeceased by her husband David Hopkins; sibling, Donald (Arlene) Rydzynski, and her loving parents.

Family and friends are invited to call on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 from 3:00 pm  to 6:00pm at Burdett & Sanford Funeral Home, 11 Maple Avenue Oakfield, NY 14125.  Kathleen's funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 19th at 10:00 am at Burdett & Sanford Funeral Home, with burial to follow.  Burial will be in Grandview Cemetery in Batavia, NY.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Oakfield Volunteer Fire Department P.O. Box 184 Oakfield, NY 14125.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Burdett & Sanford Funeral Home, Oakfield.  Please leave a condolence, share a story, or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Batavia - Betty J. "Boogie" Morgan Luperino, age 83, passed away on Friday, December 30, 2022 at the LeRoy Village Green Nursing Home.

She was born on May 11, 1939, in Warsaw, a daughter of the late Charles Morgan and Florence Burse Morgan.

A 1957 graduate of Notre Dame High School, Betty graduated from the Catherine McCauley School of Practical Nursing in 1959. An LPN at the former St. Jerome Hospital, Betty also did spiritual care at area hospitals following her retirement. Betty was a member of St. Joseph's Church, board member and trustee emeritus of The Jerome Foundation, volunteer and former board member for St. Jerome Guild and volunteer at Crossroads House.
 
Betty took pride in being a nurse; she was a true caregiver.  She loved being with others whether it was a Notre Dame get together, meal with friends, or visiting with family and friends.  Betty was known for enjoying a good story and a good laugh.  She was a wonderful Aunt to her nieces and nephews; she was a big part of their lives that they are grateful for.  Telling stories of growing up with Aunt Betty always ends with laughter and love.

Her husband, Joseph J. Luperino, passed away on December 23, 2007.

She is survived by several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

She is the sister of the late Kenneth (Virginia) Morgan, Mary Louise (Leonard) Iannello, Phyllis (John) Mulcahy and Donald (Kay) Morgan.

There are no prior visiting hours. Betty's Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 20, 2023 at 11 am at St. Joseph's Church, 303 East Main Street, Batavia. She will be laid to rest in St. Francis Cemetery, LeRoy. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name may be made to Crossroads House, P.O. Box 403, Batavia, New York 14021. To leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle in her name, please visit www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Bohm-Calarco-Smith Funeral Home, 308 East Main Street, Batavia.

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.