Category: Obituaries

Josephine A. Gammiero

Passed away peacefully on April 24, 2025. Predeceased by her parents Jack & Constance Spallina, her loving husband Gino Gammiero, her brother & sister-in-law Samuel & Antoinette Spallina.

Survived by her son and daughter in law Gene & Lea Gammiero, daughter and son in law Gail & Jerry Gallipeau, grandchildren Jenel (Scott) Gammiero, Marc (Kasie) Gammiero, Randy (Romeo) Gammiero, Christopher (Rene) Gallipeau, Jeff Gammiero, Jerid (Angela) Gallipeau, & Jenette (Jake) Gammiero, Great grandchildren, Carmelo, Rosalina, Ethan, Eli & Chloe, Grey, Noah, Nathen, and Cadence, and estranged son Gary Gammiero.

Josephine was a kindhearted soul, always putting everyone before herself. Even through her long journey with dementia, she continued to be her loving, wonderful self.

Her Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, May 1st, 10am at St. Cecilia Church 2732 Culver Rd.  In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her memory to the Dementia Society or New2Uanimal Rescue.

Dorothy J. Vinci

Dorothy Jane (Spisz) Vinci, born and raised in Toledo, OH, age 90, lived a joyful, faith filled life which centered around loving her family and friends and serving her community. She was the youngest of three and the only daughter raised by John and Mary Spisz. She attended the University of Toledo studying secretarial science. She worked for the Electric Light and Spark Plugs Company, Catholic Diocese of Rochester, and retired from corporate banking at Fleet Bank.

She was predeceased by her loving husband Joseph of 49.5 years; brothers, Ernest (Nancy) and John Spisz; and granddaughter Samantha Kelly.  Beloved mother of Thomas (Erin) of Dublin, OH, Teresa Vinci (Robert Crandall) of Rochester, NY, Joanne Doarn of Westerville, OH and Brian (Jonna) of Hagerstown, MD; Grandmother of Ashley (Joel) Pryor, Nicholas (Katie) Doarn, Shannon (Kevin) Richardson, Meagan (Jackson) Neesley, Joseph (Tessa) Vinci, Cristin Vinci and Jack (Cayla) Kelly; Great Grandmother of Mia and Grant Pryor, Clare Richardson and Kendall Kelly; and many nieces and nephews.

Dorothy was Past President of St. Cecilia’s Lady’s Guild and volunteered in many ministries at St. Cecilia’s. Dorothy remained active in service to her community as a Resident Ambassador of Baywinde Senior Living Community and served on the board of the BW Council.

The family would like to thank Donna for her companionship and many happy days in recent years.

Friends may call Wednesday 4-7pm at Dierna Funeral Home 2309 Culver Rd. (near Norton St.) Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday 10:30am at St. Ambrose Church. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Samantha Kelly Memorial Fund at samanthakellymemorialfund.org.

Passed away on April 18, 2025, at 82. Predeceased by her husband Joseph and son James Carter. Survived by her children Marcia (Michael) Austin, Lucille Forte, and Ronald (Annmarie) Carter, grandchildren Anthony (Lil) Forte, Rosemarie Forte, Christina Forte, Marie Forte, Chase Carter, great grandchildren Elysa, Isabella, Leiana, Mazzalynn, Gianna, Luke, and her dog Gracie May, niece, nephew, and beloved family friend Tina.

She worked for over 30 years as an operator at Rochester Telephone Co. She always loved going out for a donut.

Calling hours will be Wednesday, April 23rd, from 11am-1pm followed by her funeral service at Dierna Funeral Home 2309 Culver Rd. Entombment at Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to Lollipop Farm or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Arcadia Andreina Melendez Rosado returned to her heavenly home on April 16, 2025.

Arcadia, lovingly known as Cayita, was born to Victor Melendez and Ana Rosado-Melendez on November 10, 1937, in San Juan, PR. She married Ventura Soto on August 17, 1963, in San Juan, PR.

Cayita, from the very beginning, dedicated her children to God and encouraged them to encounter God as she had done.  Cayita as a young woman loved to sing and would sing in clubs in Puerto Rico but one day had an encounter with God and stopped singing in clubs to dedicate her talent to singing to the Lord. She also cared for many children and ministered to other married women and couples along with her husband. Cayita, her husband, and their 4 children, had a puppet ministry where they went to the streets in PR taking the word of God to the children in the neighborhood.

Cayita was known for her cooking and her house has always been open for all making everyone feel as part of the family. She was also known for her unshakable faith and generosity she had for others.

Cayita is survived by her sons David Soto and Andrew Maldonado; her daughters Ruth Maldonado, Rebeca Burgos, and Andrea Maldonado; her grandchildren, Jeremias Soto, Emanuel Soto, Raquel Burgos, Francisco Burgos, Jr., Christian Soto, Daniel Soto; great grandchildren Victor Maldonado, Lohgon Shelton, Daniel Maldonado and Abigail Rose Maldonado, Marcus Soto, Levi Nathaniel Graham, Jonah Soto, Zamar Burgos, Lucas Soto and her sister Luz Amparo Melendez.

She is predeceased by her husband Ventura Soto, eldest son Juan Soto, and her parents.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, April 21st from 10 – 11AM immediately followed by a service at Dierna Funeral Home – 2309 Culver Rd. Irondequoit. Private burial.

Sophat Yann, 78, of Rochester, New York, passed away peacefully on April 9th, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones.

She was born on January 12, 1947, in Cambodia and in 1983, with our father by her side and eight children in her care, she left everything familiar behind and started over in a foreign place with foreign customs, where she had to learn everything from scratch. Our Mom, a woman of extraordinary courage, boundless love, and unshakable faith, did not flinch nor falter and fought every day to build something better for us.

She was not only the heart of our family, she was our foundation, our protector and guiding light. Mom survived what many could not. She escaped a war-torn country, carrying not just the weight of fear and uncertainty, but also the fierce determination to give her children a better life and make this new land feel like home. It’s easy to talk about courage as an idea but our Mom lived it. She showed us what true strength looks like. Not in loud moments or grand declarations, but in quiet perseverance through working long hours, stretching every dollar, staying up late sewing and cooking or comforting a crying child while hiding her own exhaustion. Despite everything she endured, Mom remained gentle, loving and kind. She could laugh easily, even when life was hard. She believed in family, hard work and hope and passed those values on to us which continue to shape who we are today. To say we are proud of her would be an understatement as we are here today; strong, resilient, and rooted in love because of her.

Our Mom leaves behind not just a legacy but a living testament in all of us. In every value she passed on, in every story we share, in every act of love we show one another she lives on. We love you, Mom. We miss you more than words can express, and we promise to honor the life you built by reflecting the same love, strength, grace, and courage you showed us every single day.

Sophat is preceded in death by her parents Youn Suong and Yann Em and mother-in-law, Sirk Bouy. She is survived by her loving husband Hay; her children, Sophal (Chhiv), Hort (Karren), Heak (Thum), Sophea, Sophos, Sopheak (Sarah), Phally (Rob), Vanny; her grandchildren, Vereak, Sennett, Rosemary, Samantha (Phu), Andy, Johnathan, Jennifer (Shar), Salina, Kurt, Sarah, Taylor, Ethan, Aiden, Kenzie, Landon, Keira and her great grandchildren, Ronin and Silver.

Calling hours will be held Friday, April 18th 4-8PM at Dierna Funeral Home. Service will be Saturday, April 19th at 8AM at Dierna Funeral Home immediately followed by a service at Mt. Hope Cemetery.

Julie Long
Rochester, NY – Julie was welcomed into the arms of the Lord on March 27, 2025, at 56.

Predeceased by her parents, Butch and Linda Hann. She is survived by her husband John Long III; children Justin (Ashley) Hann, Tiffany Hann, John (Jamie) Long IV, and James Long; grandchildren; sisters Priscilla Hann, Lisa Patterson and Michelle Long; brother Christopher Hann; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews, and many cherished friends.

Julie will be forever at her home away from home in the Thousand Islands.

Julie was known for her giving nature and living life to the fullest. She had a beautiful heart, and she loved her family and friends deeply. She loved her grandchildren and nieces and nephews and enjoyed spending her time with them all. She was an accomplished artist and enjoyed her painting and crafting.

Julie truly made the world a better place and will be missed by all who were lucky to know her.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, April 19th from 1-4PM with a service to follow at Dierna Funeral Home. A Celebration of Julie’s Life will also be held on Sunday, May 11th from 2-6PM at Hazelwood Grove Lodge in Ellison Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Julie’s name to the American Cancer Association.

Joe passed away on January 13, 2025 at age 69. Predeceased by his parents Vitus and Arline, son Joel and stepson Devin. He is survived by his wife Maureen, son Derek, stepdaughter Renee Kusse, grandson Isaiah Kusse, brothers Bill (Carolyn), Richard (Barbara), and Don (Lin), many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday April 26th at 1pm at Irondequoit Cemetery followed by a celebration of his life at Bill Gray’s in Sea Breeze.

Passed away on April 1, 2025 at the age of 74. Predeceased by his parents Angelo and Grace. Survived by his children Melissa (and her mother Patricia), Christopher (Margaret) and Kaitlin (Michael) Stevens and their mother Sandra. Grandfather to Grace, Stella, and Wyatt; step-father to John and Mark Griffin and their children Brenden and Madison. Brother to Steven (Diane) and Lisa (David) Phillippsen; leaving behind many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

Born April 13, 1950, David lived a very full life. A business owner and entrepreneur at the age of 19, he eventually owned and operated one of the largest towing businesses in Rochester for many years. Throughout his life, David became an avid motorcycle enthusiast, owning many Harley Davidson motorcycles on which he enjoyed riding. An adoring father, grandfather and friend, he enjoyed any time he could spend with those that he loved. Forever a cowboy, saddled up for his final ride.

Calling hours will be Friday, April 4th, 4-7pm with a service to follow at Dierna Funeral Home – 2309 Culver Rd. Irondequoit.

Colleen M. Fox

1961-2025

Passed away peacefully on March 20, 2025. Predeceased by her father Roger Fox. Survived by her life partner of 19 years Linda Canfield, her mother Jean Fox, brothers Ralph (Barb) Fox, and John Fox, sister Catherine Fantauzzo, sister-in-law Susan Jones, aunts and uncles Bob and Sharon Harster, Phil and Marylou Marolta, and Jack and Donna Harster, the children and grandchildren of Linda Canfield, DJ, Nikki, Maddox, Kim, Dan, and Zackary, several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and her beloved Dogs.

Calling hours will be Friday March 28th from 4-7pm at Dierna Funeral Home 2309 Culver Rd. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday 10am at St. John of Rochester Church, 8 Wickford Way Fairport. Interment Lyons Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society, Wilmot Cancer Center or Lollipop Farm.

To view a livestream of Colleen’s service, please use the link below:

https://c.streamhoster.com/embed/media/W9sdlg/G7S2WdvsmgR/NheSa1sAzuu_5?preview=1

John Lieber

Passed away on March 13, 2025, at age 70. Predeceased by his parents Williard and Doris Lieber, brothers William and Joseph. He is survived by his brothers Donald, Peter, Richard, and James, many nieces, nephews and friends.

John was intelligent, kind, a loving brother and friend.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.