Mary DiRocco – 77 – of 59 Sayles St., Alfred, died unexpectedly Monday evening (August 8, 2011) at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

Born in New York City on October 10, 1933, she was the daughter of Elmer & Mary (Lawlor) Howe.

Mary grew up in New York City and resided in the Buffalo – North Tonawanda area from 1965 – 1972.  From 1972 – 1975 she lived in Hornell and has resided in Alfred since 1975.

While living in New York City, she was employed as a waitress for several restaurants.  While living in Alfred, she owned & operated a Home Day-Care Service for several years.  Mary later was employed as an Adult Care Giver at Allegany County ARC.  More recently she worked in the catering department of the Alfred University Dining Facility.

Donato M. “Danny” Balassone – 76 – of 6118 Campbell Creek Rd., Bath, died Monday evening (April 25, 2011) at his home, following a long illness.

Born in Rockford, IL on August 27, 1934, he was the son of Michael & Satinna (Franka) Balassone.  He has resided in the Hornell – Bath area for the past 35 years. 

Danny was a well known sign painter and a self-taught artist.  He owned and operated Dan’s Signs which later became Studio one Signs. 

He was preceded in death by his grandson, Cory Bailey.

Surviving are his son, Michael Balassone; 3 daughters, Renee Balassone Wade, Charmaine Balassone and Michelle Bailey; his loving companion, Barbara Stives; his longtime best friends, Ronald & Sylvia Kukucka; 6 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren.

At Danny’s request there will be no prior calling hours.  Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.  Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.

Battle Creek, MI / Hornell, NY

Grace M. Guarglia – 87 – formerly of Hornell, died at Lifespan Good Samaritan Hospice Care Residence with her daughter at her side.

Born in Hornell on July 4, 1923, she was the daughter of Joseph & Adeline (Cilano) Carbone.  Grace grew up, married and raised her family in Hornell and has resided in Battle Creed since 2001.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Paul Gerace who died in 1951 and her second husband, Nicholas R. Guarglia who died in 1975; along with 2 brothers.

Surviving are her daughter, Frances M. Mank of Battle Creek; two grandsons, Bob Mank and Nick Mank; a brother, Nicholas Carbone; many old friends in Hornell along with many new friends in Battle Creek.

A private graveside service was held at St. Mary’s Cemetery.  Arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.

Susan D. Smith – 39 – of 99 ½ Steuben St., Hornell, died Friday morning (July 29, 2011) at St. James Mercy Hospital following a long & courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Gary, IN on March 29, 1972, she was the daughter of Sandra (Hughes) Smith.

Susan grew up in Canaseraga and was a graduate of the Hornell BOCES Program.  She resided in North Carolina for several years and has lived in Hornell for the past 6 years.

She enjoyed gardening, craft-working, and especially liked working on plastic canvas.  However, her true joy in life was raising, loving and caring for her children.  Simply put, her children were her life.

Esther F. (Pond) McAneney of 1 Crescent Street, Hornell, died Friday morning (July 22, 2011) at her home, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.  She was 76 years young.  She was the daughter of Franc & Esther (Walker) Pond, and was preceded in death by her brother, Samuel & Marie (Corvi) Pond.

Esther was born in Philadelphia and graduated from Frankford High School class of ’53.  At the age of 16, while still in high school she met her Sweetheart, Bernie.   And her lifelong journey was sealed.  It was love at first sight.  Forever, for always, no matter what!  Their years together were an example to her children and grandchildren of mutual respect and unconditional love.  Wherever Esther was, Bernie was there with her. They were inseparable. They travelled the world together, visiting             family and friends after retirement, enjoyed many vacations up and down the East Coast, always in tow was her companion Gizmo.

Lorraine L. “Lou” Lewis – 85 – formerly of Rochester, died late Monday evening (July 18, 2011) at McAuley Manor where she has resided for the past 2 years.

Born in Rochester on March 14, 1926, she was the daughter of August & Evangeline Vetter.

Lorraine resided most of her life in Rochester and attended Holy Redeemer Catholic School and Ben Franklin High School.  She later attended Nazareth College.

She had been employed for many years at Woolensock Optical and also McCurdy’s Department Store in Rochester.  She later worked as a bookkeeper at John Ames Motors for several years and had been a licensed real estate agent for Century 21 in Rochester. 

Anne M. “Annie” Eveland – 90 – formerly of Hornell & Florida, died Wednesday morning (July 6, 2011) at McAuley Manor where she has resided for the past 5½ years.

Born in Hornell on February 17, 1921, she was the daughter of Frank & Maria (Matrichiano) Roselli.
 
Anne grew up in Hornell where she attended St. Ann’s School.  She was employed as a waitress for over 25 years at the former Ponce DeLeon Restaurant in Hornell. Then onto Rawady’s  & The Classic. Thru the years, she worked at Snoopy’s, Al’s Place in Savonia and later she served as a bartender at the former Tony’s Place in Hornell.  She had been a member of the Hornell Elks Lodge and The Association.

Wilson F. “Willie” Nichols – 71 – of 6256 County Route 29, Hornell, died unexpectedly early Monday morning (July 4, 2011) at his home.

Born in Hornell on July 27, 1939, he was the son of Walter & Mabel (Davies) Nichols.

Wilson was a lifelong resident of the Hornell – Canisteo area and attended school in Hornell.  He was considered a “Jack of All Trades” and had worked for several construction companies, including Hornell Construction Co.  Years ago, he also owned & operated his own backhoe business.

When his health permitted, Willie enjoyed deer hunting.  His true love, however, was simply spending time with his family.

Nora Marie Heinig – 85 – of 424 Cleveland Ave., North Hornell, died Sunday evening (June 26, 2011) following a long illness.

Born in Clinton, MA on September 9, 1925, she was the daughter of Felix & Elvira (Garofoli) D’Olimpio.

Nora resided in Clinton, MA for most of her life and had resided in Hornell since 2005.  She had been employed for many years in the cafeteria at Boylston Elementary School in Boylston, MA.  Nora was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church.  She enjoyed cooking (especially Italian food) and collecting antiques.

She was married to George E. Heinig, SR who died February 19, 2005.  She was also preceded in death by 2 brothers, Vincent D’Olimpio and Angelo D’Olimpio.

Surviving are her son, George (Jennifer Moreira, O.D.) Heinig, O.D. of North Hornell; 1 brother, Felix D’Olimpio of Cape Code, MA; 1 sister, Felippa Garrity of Providence, RI; 3 grandchildren, Shannon, Sydney & Cameron; several nieces & nephews.

There will be on services in Hornell.  The family will receive friends on Thursday from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the Philbin – Comeau Funeral Home, 176 Water St., Clinton, MA 01510.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Friday at St. John’s Church with burial in St. John’s Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.

Jean Caldwell Weirick – 87 – formerly of 454 Seneca Rd., North Hornell, died Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at McAuley Manor.

Born in Scranton, PA on October 24, 1923 she was the daughter of Arthur and Sara (Ross) Caldwell.

Jean attended North Hornell School and graduated from Hornell High School (class of 1941).  Following high school, she attended Elmira College receiving her degree in Business Administration in 1945.

On July 6, 1946 Jean was married in New York City to Thomas C. Weirick.  They were married for nearly 52 years until his death on March 16, 1998.

After raising her family, she returned to college, receiving her Masters’ Degree in Education from SUNY Geneseo in 1965.  She taught third grade at the Canaseraga Central School for 23 years.

In 1935 Jean became a member of the United Presbyterian Church in Hornell.  Throughout the years she served as an Elder, was active in women’s groups and was a volunteer in the church office and at McCauley Manor.