Vivian passed away on December 19th, 2023 at 64. She is survived by her mother Antonina LaDelfa, her children Arthur Pfund and Ashley Paasch, sisters Rita, Michelina, Ann, Lisa and Paulina, and her husband Joseph Viglino.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday January 13th, 9:30am at St. Theodore’s Church 168 Spencerport Rd. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the Roswell Park Cancer Institute.
Edward J. Blasko
7/28/1930-12/23/2023
He died at age 93 in Pittsford, NY. Ed was born in Spangler, Pa, and raised in a blended family, he was the second youngest of eleven children. He is the last survivor of his siblings. Ed was predeceased by his wife Donna, parents and his ten siblings. Ed is survived by his son Ward, daughter Mary, grandchildren Lindsay Cook (Peter), Laura Blasko (Chris Phillips), great-grandchildren Dylan, Tyler and Rylee Cook, and Josh Thompson.
Ed joined the Army out of high school after putting a roof on his parent’s home. He served in Germany during the Korean War where he learned to drive and after returning home, drove to Rochester, NY where he was hired at Eastman Kodak for his entire working career. He retired in 1989 traveling with Donna to Mexico, Hawaii, Lithuania, the Czech Republic and other European countries. He retired as a Director of Motion Picture and Television.
As an original shareholder, Ed thoroughly enjoyed watching the Rochester Red Wings and was a season ticketholder since 1986. He was also very active in his church, The Church of the Transfiguration, since it started back in 1983. Ed loved movies and after retirement went to up to 220 movies a year.
Ed was awarded a Scientific and Engineering Academy Award in 1981 for a process that he and Rod Ryan created back in the 1960’s. Their innovation allowed studios to process special effects film immediately with an onsite machine instead of sending it out for processing. He was awarded the Oscar by Lloyd Bridges.
Known for his wearing of shorts, Ed would not want you to mourn his death, rather to celebrate his life and unique personality.
Family and friends may join us at The Church of the Transfiguration, 50 W. Bloomfield Rd., Pittsford, NY on Saturday January 6, 2024, 10-11:30 for visitation followed by a Mass of Christian Burial.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Honor Flight Rochester.
Betty (Seils) Bobcia, born and raised in Irondequoit, NY, age 89, passed away on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, surrounded by loved ones. Betty was predeceased by her husband, Norman on August 27, 2003, her parents Al and Bertha Seils, and brother Bob Seils. Betty is survived by her son David Bobcia, daughters Deborah (John) Miller, Cheryl (Todd) Sherry, 6 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. Betty worked at RIT, JcPenney and Wards Natural Science Center. She loved knitting, crocheting, cross stitching, reading books and spending time with her family and grammar school friends. She was so proud that she was able to raise her own family in the house that she herself grew up in. In her younger years, she loved camping with her brother Bob’s family and traveling out to Albuquerque to visit family to see the hot air balloon show. A private memorial service and interment will be held on Friday, December 29th at the Dierna Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (mda.donordrive.com).
George F. Vogt, Jr., age 80, of Irondequoit, NY, passed away on December 23, 2023. George was blessed to have many roles in his lifetime as a son, husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.
During his long work career, George managed two apartment complexes, owned his own Mobil Gas Station on Monroe Avenue, and worked for Gleason Works, Realty Performance Group and retired from the Rochester Housing Authority. He also served as a volunteer fireman for 15 years in Farmington and with the Lake Shore Fire District. George had a lifelong passion for motorcycles, both on and off road. He rode enduros and flat track earning local accolades and enough points to become #3 in Western New York. In his later years he participated in several charity rides on his favorite Harley Davidson. George was also an avid boater and enjoyed having his boat in both Alex Bay and Sodus. He was a forever fan of Dale Earnhardt and NASCAR and fulfilled his dream of driving a stock car on several tracks.
George was predeceased by his parents, George and Octavia Vogt. He is survived by his wife, Pam, son James (Juli) Vogt, daughter Susan (Donny) Allen, stepchildren Brian Kroll and Christine Martin, grandchildren Caylee, Abby, Audrey and Chloe, great grandchildren Makenzie, Leo and Jackson, sisters Nancy Herbst, Judy Chambers and Barb (Tom) Tydings, nieces, grandnieces, grandnephews and his beloved Yorkie Mia who was his faithful companion.
Calling hours at Dierna Funeral Home, 2309 Culver Rd, Rochester, NY on Saturday, January 6, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. with a memorial service immediately following. A Celebration of Life will be held immediately after at Nick’s Seabreeze Inn, 4581 Culver Road, Rochester, NY.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in George’s name to:
Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center,
2652 Ridgeway Avenue
Rochester, NY 14626
-or to –
Shriners Hospitals for Children- Erie
Development Department
1645 W 8th Street Erie, PA 16505-5007
**Designate either Wheelchair Fund or Pops Fund.
Geoffrey Robert Pierce (Smith), 38 of Rochester, New York, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2023.
Geoffrey was born at Highland Hospital in Rochester, New York on November 8, 1985 to Cindy Pierce and David Smith. Geoffrey was raised from birth by his loving adoptive mother, Pamela Smith (Phillips) & Alan Vassallo and grew up in Irondequoit with his five siblings, David, Philip, Michael, Veronica and Alexandra.
Geoff attended Eastridge High School and then lived briefly in Baltimore, Maryland and New Bern, North Carolina before returning to Rochester. After returning home, Geoff reunited with his childhood sweetheart, Christina Norris (Cappucci) and soon after, welcomed their children Kaitlyn and Konner. Later in life, Geoff grew to know and love his younger sister Caitlyn, born to his birth mother Cindy, as well as his aunt Deborah.
Geoffrey’s greatest love were his two children, Kaitlyn and Konner and his mothers, Pam and Cindy. He did, and would, do absolutely anything for them and worked everyday to become a better person for them. Geoffrey was a gentle giant with a heart of gold and tremendous love to give. He rarely, if ever complained and took each chapter in life as it came, always hopeful for what the future may bring.
Geoff’s death is an especially devastating and heartbreaking loss for his children, his mothers and his brothers and sisters. His absence will leave a hole in our hearts that will never heal.
Geoffrey was preceded in death by his older brother, Geoffrey Robert Smith, his grandparents Bill & Ann Phillips, Robert & Valerie Smith, his aunt Patricia Chiosa (Phillips), his uncle Paul DiRisio and his cat Max.
He leaves behind a large family to grieve his loss and carry on his memory, including his birth parents David Smith & Cindy Pierce, and his mother Pam Smith. His children, Kaitlyn and Konner Pierce. His brother David & Seanea Smith and nieces & nephews Taylor, Daisean, Madison and Hayden. His brother Philip Smith and niece Ash Webber. His brother Michael & Brittany Smith. His sister Veronica Smith & Jason Wagner. His sister Alexandra & Jake Cirilla (Smith) and nephew Austin. His sister Caitlyn Heidenreich and niece Lexi. His sister; Christine Griffin, who he never had an opportunity to meet. His uncle Stephen Phillips, his aunt Ann Marie & John Muhleberger (Phillips). His aunt Deborah & Kipp Stein. His aunt Colette Batten and his cousin Nicole Chiosa and Nicholas Chiosa.
Calling hours will be Tuesday, December 26, 2023, from 4-8pm at Dierna Funeral Home, 2309 Culver Road, Rochester, NY 14609.
Family and friends are asked to bring, post or forward photographs and memories & stories of Geoffrey to share at calling hours. All who knew Geoffrey are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Details for a celebration of life for Geoffrey are forthcoming and will be posted by the family.
Billy passed away on December 16, 2023. He is predeceased by his granddaughter Darcie Alaimo. Survived by his daughter Stephanie (Jesse) Alaimo, grandchildren Lexie, Zoe and Daphne, his former wife Rebecca Bragg, sisters Linda and Cathy (Joe) Mesh, many cousins and other relatives.
Calling hours will be on Sunday December 31st, from 10am-12pm at Dierna Funeral Home 2309 Culver Rd.
Carrie Cleveland
Barbara Jeanne Walley
WEBSTER – Dec 11, at 94. Predeceased by her husband, John A.Sr.,and sons John A. Jr., Jeffrey A. and James L. Survived by children Joanne (William) Casey, Jeanne Sly, Jay, Janet (Salvatore) Laurro; 8 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren. Services will be held privately.
Virginia Makowski Kucak passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on December 3, 2023, at the Niagara Hospice House in Lockport, NY.
Predeceased by her husband Eugene Kucak, her parents and siblings.
Survived by her daughter Donna Marie Danny) Kucak Dollyhigh in Texas; daughter, Carol (Dr. Grant H.) Kucak Hobika, son, Tom (Debbie) Kucak. She leaves behind granddaughter Jenny (Ben) Kucak; step-granddaughters Grace and Claire Hobika; great-granddaughter Cadence Hobika and several nieces and nephews. She cherished her close childhood friends from Webster, NY and neighbors from Rochester.
Virginia, a Rochester native, worked for Eastman Kodak, Taylor Instruments and Rochester General Hospital doing clerical work. She maintained ongoing relationships with childhood friends and co-workers over the years. She nurtured everyone and loved children and animals. Family and friends were Virginia’s top priority, and she was ever present to lend a hand when needed.
She always ended conversations with, “Be careful”, “Stay Healthy”, “I wish you the Best”, and “that’s an order!”
Calling hours will be Monday, December 4, 2023, 3-7 PM at Dierna Funeral Home, 2309 Culver Rd. Rochester, NY. A Celebration of Life Mass will be held on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at 10AM at St. Stanislaus Church, 1124 Hudson Avenue, Rochester NY 14621. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Niagara Hospice House in Lockport, NY..
