Category: Obituaries

Mark Woodard Sr passed away peacefully on February 9, 2025.

He was predeceased by his daughter, Nina Woodard; father, Donald Woodard Sr; brother, Donald Woodard Jr.

He is survived by his sons, Mark Woodard Jr & Richard Woodard; grandchildren; Yaralize, Yulianna, Yianni, Giovanni, Richard Jr, Emma & Hailey; Mother Jackie Woodard (Larkin); brothers Michael J. (Tracey) Woodard & Terry A. Woodard; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins

Mark was a devoted Buffalo Bill’s fan. He enjoyed fishing & watching wrestling.

Calling hours will be held Saturday, February 22nd from 1-3PM at Dierna Funeral Home.

Bernice Ruffino
Irondequoit – February 15, 2025. Predeceased by her husband Joseph. Loving mother of Joseph III (Lynn) and Susan Ruffino-Sprague, grandmother of Joseph IV (Kristen), Nicole (Christopher) Morehead, Jason (Danielle) and Jake Hanson; great-grandmother of Joseph V, Hadleigh, Claire, Luca and Ada; sister of Lucy (Salvin) LaMana. She also leaves cousins, Josephine and Leo and many treasured friends.
Per her wishes there will be a private family service.

Iris Cruz

Passed away on February 11, 2025. Predeceased by her parents Juan and Inocensia Cruz and sister Mary Cruz. She is survived by her daughter Magdalena Jean Baptise, grandchildren Ari, Omar, Oziah, Micah, Phoebe, Ellyora, and Gideon Jean Baptiste, siblings Gladys Martinez, John Cruz, and Hector Cruz, nieces Marisol Allen, Jennifer Cruz, and Ash Cruz, nephews Hector Florez, Michael Martinez, and Danny Martinez.

Calling hours will be Saturday February 15th from 10am-12pm followed by a service and burial at Riverside Cemetery.

Francis R. Mummery
Irondequoit- February 10, 2025 at age 80. Predeceased by his wife Nancy, his parents Percy and Dorothy Mummery and brother Arthur and his wife Zola. Survived by his children David, Ann, Michael (Predeceased by Jim DiNoto) and Chris, grandchildren Jessica, Adam (Omar Monroy), Alexa (Vassilis George) and Elizabeth, great grandchildren Cecil and Elaina, sister Florence and many nieces and nephews.  He was a proud Vietnam veteran with the Navy Seabees.  He cherished his many years as Cub Scout leader Pack 299.

Calling hours will be Friday 4-6pm at Dierna Funeral Home 2309 Culver Rd. His Funeral service will be held on Saturday at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery 11am Please meet at Lake Ave Gate. In lieu of flowers donations to the National Kidney Foundation or Lollipop Farms.

Theresa D. Carter

March 5, 1928 – February 8, 2025

It is with great sadness that the family of Theresa D. Carter, 96, of Webster, NY, announces her passing. Theresa was a beloved sister, aunt, and friend whose kindness and warmth touched all who knew her. She was predeceased by her first husband, Anthony Cinicola, second husband Al Carter, long-time partner Lars Lien; her sister, Victoria Sapienza; and her brothers, Al and Dominic Miglioratti.

She is survived by her devoted nephews and caregivers, Jim (Kim) Sapienza and Paul (Sue) Sapienza, along with many cherished nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Theresa was fiercely independent and lived life to the fullest. She found joy in golfing, playing bridge, and spending time with her family and friends throughout her 96 years. Her legacy is one of love, generosity, and the countless memories she created with those she held dear. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered in the hearts of all who knew her.

In accordance with her wishes, the family will hold a private service to honor her life.

Jonathan Ginsberg Giordano

Passed away on February 9, 2025, at 39.

He would be extremely disappointed to be featured in an ordinary obituary, so let it be known that family, friends, and former students will remember Jon as a prodigious cook, talented math teacher, and tabletop gaming enthusiast whose hit points were finally depleted after a long and difficult battle with cancer. A fan of hosting parties at which he prepared veritable feasts, Jon could easily be located by using a decibel meter and moving in the direction of the highest volume. With his wooden bowtie, asymmetrical glasses, and endless array of Marvel and Dungeons & Dragons T-shirts, one could be forgiven for assuming Jon was simply a nerd. However, his nerdiness was not simple but extraordinary, and was matched only by the size of his heart. Yes, Jon was always willing to give his opinion on topics ranging from the appropriate number of kiwis to eat in a sitting (five) to the quality of the Gundam Wing anime (“terrible”) to the culinary status of Chicago-style pizza (“It’s casserole!”). But he was also always willing to put his whole heart into educating his students, supporting his friends with kindness and food, and being the best possible husband and dog-father he could be. His wit, care, and grumpiness will be missed in equal measure.

With the retirement of Jon’s character sheet, the players left at the table include his loving wife, Dr. Allison Giordano; their dog, Mr. Stephen Pibbles; his parents-in-law, Mr. Jim and Mrs. Carole Giordano, and the members of his found family to whom he was a brother in the ways that matter most.

Funeral services will take place at the Dierna Funeral Home on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at 11AM. Doors open at 10AM. Reception to follow.

Stanley Jay Williams passed away on February 2nd, 2025, after a long journey with Alzheimer’s Disease. He was 68 years old.

Stan was born in Monticello, New York, to Jerry and Delores Williams on July 26, 1956. Stan’s father was a staff Seargent in the United States Army which allowed him to travel extensively during his childhood. They were stationed in various places throughout the United States and abroad. He spent many years in Germany, his favorite place! While there, Stan was an avid participant in childhood sports at school and learned to speak German fluently. Upon returning to the United States, he graduated from Monticello High school and Orange County Community College, where he stood out in track and soccer. Following in his dad’s footsteps, He joined the United States Army in 1975 and became a sergeant in the 101 st Airborne Air Assault, stationed in Korea.

Stan returned to the states after his honorable discharge and pursued a career in law enforcement with the Village of Monticello Police Department. It was while on his foot patrol routine at a local radio station, that he met his devoted wife of 39 years Patricia (Patton) Williams. It was not long after their marriage that Stan was recruited by the Rochester Police Department as part of their new Lateral Transfer program, bringing six veteran officers to their department.

While on the department “Stan the man” as he was called, received numerous letters of recognition and was known for his excellent physical condition, neat appearance, (always had his shoes shined!!) and his mediation skills. Stan was a man of quiet strength. Stan had always been a great athlete and easily became a physical fitness trainer. He was a Detective Tactics Instructor and an Edge weapons Certified Instructor. He also worked narcotics investigations with the H.I.T. Team. Stan was passionate about powerlifting and as a member of the New York State Police Olympics Team, He won 2 nd place in the state competition and 4 th place in the National competition. In 2008 Stan decided to retire and give it “arrest”! Although retired, he continued to work part time for C.O.P.S. security and security for the Buffalo Bills. When Stan was not working, he was spending quality time at the gym with his son, riding his bike with his wife, running thru his neighborhood in his Under Armour gear, and especially enjoyed running 5k’s with his athletic daughters! He loved listening to Smooth Jazz, watching golf, soccer, tennis, football, and March Madness!

Stan leaves to cherish his memory his wife Patricia, daughters Deshaya Williams, Dr. Renata Fraser (Rayon) and Jade Adams (Brandon) His son Terance, His sister Michelle McNeal, three grandchildren: Rayden, Marley, and Hendrix and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins, great nieces, great nephews and friends.

We will miss Stan’s big heart, his great cooking skills, his cool calm peaceful demeanor, his guidance, his kind gentle soul, And his great smile! His memory is our keepsake, with which we’ll never part. God has him in his keeping…we will have him in our hearts.

Calling hours will be held Saturday, February 8th from 10AM-12PM, with his Funeral service immediately following, at Dierna Funeral Home, 2309 Culver Road, Rochester, NY.

Joseph Meyers

Passed away on January 31, 2025, at 42.
Predeceased by his cousin Adam Francis.
Survived by his father Bruce (LeAnna) Meyers; mother Laurie (Daniel) Burgess; brother David, stepbrother C.J.; grandparents Leon and Janice Ridikas; niece and nephew Cole and Madisyn; special friend Anthony; several aunts, uncles, close cousins and good friends.

Joey loved his family and friends, Vegas football and hockey, playing cards, bowling, traveling, movies and Star Trek. He will be missed so much.

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, February 15, at 11am at St. Cecilia Church with a reception to follow.