Category: Obituaries

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..

Philip David Sacco “Phil”

Passed away on November 27, 2023 after a short illness at 40 years old. He is predeceased by his father Neil and grandparents Phil & Ida Sacco and aunt Darlene Hutchinson. He is survived by his loving mother Idamae Sacco, uncle David Sacco, aunt Marie Chornopyski, several cousins and many friends.

Phil was an independent film maker known as Joe Black and enjoyed his work with the Town of Irondequoit.

Calling hours will be held Saturday December 9^th from 12-3pm at Dierna Funeral Home 2309 Culver Rd.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in his memory to the Norman Howard School 275 Pinnacle Rd. Rochester, NY 14623.

Daniel David Ott “Danny”

Unexpectedly on November 26, 2023 at age 30. Predeceased by his grandparents Barbara & Frederick Ott and Lowell Miller and his cousin Joe Vazquez. He is survived by his loving mother Michelle Miller, his proud father Daniel (Doreen) Ott, his true love Samantha Raspudic, grandmother Dorothy Miller, aunts Sandy Wiegele, Sheri (Scott) Shuman and Susan Vazquez, uncles Dave Ott, Peter Miller, and Steven (Evelyn) Miller, cousins Jamie, Joe, Patrick, Eric, Olivia, Nicholas, Evan, Luke, Aaron, Chris and Alex, and all of his brothers in the Point Pleasant FD.

Danny followed his fathers footsteps and became a volunteer fireman for Point Pleasant Fire Dept. and competed on the Pea Picker Drill Team, as well as a sheet metal worker for Local 46. Most recently he was an EMT and looking forward to working at Lakeshore Fire Dept.

Danny was loved by so many, and his loss leaves a tremendous void in all our lives, but we will always remember him and the love we shared.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday 12/3, 2pm at Point Pleasant Fire Dept. 55 Ewer Ave Rochester, NY 14622.

Joanne Campanella Cimino

We are sad to announce the passing of Joanne Campanella Cimino of Rochester, NY.  She died at the age of 89 on November 18, 2023.  Joanne passed away surrounded by her loved ones after a battle with illness.

Joanne was born on September 8, 1934. She is predeceased by her father Philip Campanella, her mother Antoinette Campanella and her sister Ann Campanella. She is survived by her immediate family consisting of her husband Eugene A. Cimino M.D., and daughters Lisa (Joseph) Taddeo, Lauren (Timothy) Guinane, Jeanne Cimino and Juliette Cimino (Todd).  She adored her three grandchildren Alexandra Guinane, Aaron Taddeo and Tyler Guinane.  She is also survived by her sister Mary (Robert) Schefter of Manlius, NY.

Her passions included reading, needlepoint and travel and her greatest love was her family.

The funeral will be a private ceremony with immediate family members.