Hornell, NY / Rochester, NY
Kyle Jeffery Johnson, 43, of Rochester, NY passed away at his home on January 5, 2025.
Born in Dansville, NY on January 29, 1981, he was the son of Jeffery H. and the late Susan J. (Smith) Johnson.
Kyle graduated from Hornell High School in 1999, where he was a record-holding, three-sport athlete excelling in football, basketball, baseball, and a charismatic and gregarious leader on and off the field. He went on to pitch for SUNY Cortland, where he graduated in 2003 with a degree in business and marketing. While pitching for Cortland, the team participated in two Division 3 NCAA Baseball World Series and was the first ever collegiate baseball team to play in Russia. Kyle was inducted into the Hornell High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2009 and the SUNY Cortland Baseball Legends Club in 2019.
Following college, Kyle’s unmatched charm and charisma fostered a successful career in pharmaceutical sales specializing in nephrology, representing and directing the Northeast region with several companies. Although his work often had him traveling, he resided in Rochester, NY for all his adult life. Kyle was an avid sports fan, religiously following the Buffalo Bills, New York Yankees, and LA Lakers. He enjoyed playing basketball and golf with his cherished family and friends. Ever the music enthusiast, Kyle was always up for a rap battle and/or a dance off. He is described by all who knew him as having a larger-than-life personality, someone who loved everyone and was loved by anyone that knew him. His kindness and compassion for all, sense of humor, magnetic personality, and generosity had no boundaries.
Kyle was preceded in death by his grandparents, William B. and Doris Johnson, Nancy (Smith) Duke and Dr. Richard Smith; mother, Susan J. (Smith) Johnson; aunt, Patricia (Smith) Eichler; uncle, Warren Abbey; cousin, Graham Andrus; brother-in-law, Timothy Manchester; and stepbrother, Jason Hale Freeman.
Kyle is survived by his loving family: father and stepmother, Jeffery and Carla Johnson; sister Keegan (Johnson) Manchester; brother Kurt G. Johnson; grandmother Arlene Dennis; stepsister Johanna Freeman; nieces Anna and Katherine Manchester & Sylvie and Nadia Kaplan; uncles William (Gail) Johnson, Greggery (Liz) Johnson, aunts Anne Smith-Abbey, Kathleen (Dan Crossman) Smith, Karen (Tom) Andrus and cousins Vanessa (Danny) Spitulnik, Jaime (Scott) Milanovich, Matt (Mandy) Johnson, Erica Johnson, Brandon Mambelli, and Jade Andrus, along with numerous second cousins and countless friends whom he considered family.
The Dagon Funeral Home will be supporting the family with a private service with Deacon Robert McCormick officiating.
Friends are encouraged to join the family for a Celebration of Kyle’s Life on Saturday, March 1st, 2025 beginning at 1:00 PM at The Main Place in Hornell, 251 Main St., NY. In the spirit of Kyle, an invitation is not necessary.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to an annual Kyle Johnson Memorial Scholarship through the Hornell High School Alumni Association (℅ Keegan Manchester, 61 Sawyer Way, Leominster MA 01453). Additionally, contributions may be made in Kyle’s memory to the Hornell Area Family YMCA (18 Center Street, Hornell NY 14843) where he fostered his love of sports and community as a child.
To leave an online condolence or share a memory, visit www.dagonfuneralhome.com.
I am so sorry to hear about your son and pray for all of you during this tragic time. May he rest in peace. 💔 😔 🙏
Rest in Peace Kyle. You were a great neighbor and loved by all. I will miss you smile and visits.
I am so sorry to your family for this tradegy. Kyle was a great friend and I miss him dearly already. Lots of love to your family. He was an awesome guy and an even better friend. Rest in Peace Kyle. Keep smiling and laughing and watching over all of us. Love you buddy
Rest in peace, Kyle… Thank you for all the support over the years for my business. You will be missed my friend. See you on the other side.
Jeff and to your whole extended family, please accept our heartfelt sympathy for the loss of your son Kyle😔😢🙏🙏❤️. Rest in peace beautiful Kyle🙏🙏❤️❤️
My heart breaks for the Johnson family with this devastating loss. From youth sports through High School, you couldn’t talk about Hornell Athletics in the 90’s without mentioning the name Kyle Johnson. Kyle was gifted, an outstanding athlete and a Raider to the core. More than that though, I remember him just being a great person to be around. Prayers out to all of Kyle’s family and friends during this difficult time. Rest in Peace, Kyle.
Kyle you will be missed very much. Even though we moved to another state I will never forget your smile, sense of humor and visits with us. Our condolences to your whole family on their loss. You were quite a force! You were quite successful in your career and a very caring person. May you rest in peace.
RIP Kyle. I loved hanging out with you and Duncan at Dave and Kevin’s. You were always upbeat and making us laugh. Until we meet again.
Dear Jeff and your family,
I am saddened for you and your family at the loss of your son Kyle. He surely had many accomplishments in life! My sister Linda also sends her thought and prayers. I wish him peace and tranquility with his Holy Maker. Knowing you and your family I know your son was an accomplished and well loved by all who knew him. RIP Kyle as the Lord be with you always!!!
Karen Piccirillo Kelly
Linda Piccirillo Hinckley
Rest In Peace Kyle, Apollo so much enjoyed seeing you on our daily walk around the block, running up your path for that special greeting. Now you get to walk him in heaven. 🐕🦺. My sympathy and prayers are with your family.
Our deepest condolences to you and your family. This is so unbelievable. Prayers and comforting hugs for all.🙏🙏🙏😥😥❤️
Love, prayer and comfort to you and your family at this sorrow filled time.
Mike and Ann Marie Barillo
To Kyle’s Family and Friends,
We had the pleasure of meeting and working with Kyle when he joined the inaugural salesforce of a small, pharmaceutical company, Ardelyx, Inc., as an Area Business Director at the beginning of 2021.
We all remember Kyle and wanted to honor his life so our Great Lakes sales team will be making a collective contribution to his memorial scholarship at Hornell High School Alumni Association.
Please accept our deepest condolences. You all will be in our prayers and thoughts for peace, strength, and love to strengthen you during this time.
Signed,
The Ardelyx OG’s (Original Gangsters)
Brian Warn
Tracy Courter
Dena Dougherty
Jim Forker
Shelby Hamill
Siri Khurana
Michael Miller
Ann Pinnata
Chris Salvo
Jennifer Stuart
Mel Vester
Deepest condolences to Kyle’s family & friends on learning of this devastating news. I had the absolute pleasure of working with Kyle at the beginning of his career at various stops. He always greeted you like a valued friend and I looked forward to connecting with him at meetings & conferences. He was always up for fun excursions and Kyle made a positive impact wherever & whomever he interacted with. Kyle will be greatly missed and dearly remembered.
Dearest Jeff and Carla, my heart goes out to you at this truly difficult time. There is no harder loss than that of a child. May God keep you in His care as you navigate through this painful journey 🙏🏻