Ruth was a graduate of Our Lady of Mercy High School. She volunteered with Penfield Volunteer Ambulance Company as an EMT for many years. She was a member of the Century Club in Rochester and participated in many charitable activities with them. Ruth and her husband were long time members of Oak Hill Country Club, longstanding patrons of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and belonged to St. Joseph’s Church in Penfield, NY.
Mary’s deep faith, devotion to God, family and friends were demonstrated by how she lived her life. She taught CCD (Catechism) classes for many decades at Holy Spirit Church. Once the children of her former students began cycling through her classes over the years, Mary decided to retire at age 80. She then volunteered to help count with the collection committee.
Paul was deeply devoted to his Catholic faith serving God and his community his entire life. He began his career at Catholic Family Center in the foster care and adoption department. He moved to become the Director of Social Services at St. Joseph’s Villa. He had many jobs where he helped people in Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse - retiring at age 82. Paul was a compassionate leader and servant of God, serving on the Board of Directors of the Mary Cariola Center, the Christmas Bureau and Alternatives for Battered Women which he also helped establish. He was a fourth degree Knight of Columbus, earning the Knight of the Year Award for his service to the community and the Catholic faith. Paul served on the parish council at St. James and St. Joseph’s Churches and was also a parishioner at St. Jerome’s Church for the last 20 plus years.
John was a parishioner at St. Joseph’s. He taught physics for two years at the University of Rochester, and then he worked as a scientist at Xerox until his retirement. Jack was awarded 22 patents during his career.
Tom was a St. Joseph’s parishioner for 50 years, faithfully attending Mass every week. He worked for the Monroe County Sheriff Road Patrol from 1960–1966. He owned and ran Goodland Hoffman tire and automotive business (1966–1985) and worked as a Monroe County Sheriff Deputy Supervisor from 1985 until his retirement in 1999. Tom volunteered for the Penfield Fire Company in 1957. He was Fire Chief from 1971-1973 and was appointed to the Fire Commission in 1973. He served the Penfield Fire Company for over 65 years. Tom served our country in the U.S. Army (1960–1962) and experienced the trip of a lifetime when he travelled to Washington D.C. on the veteran’s Honor Flight in 2017.
Joan grew up in St Johnsbury Vermont. Joan was a teacher for many years, and after her only son was born, Joan went back to work in automotive manufacturing for the remainder of her career. She eventually moved to The Legacy at Clover Blossom apartments. She volunteered every week to help set up the chapel for weekly services and also volunteered to read every week or two.
Ray was a St. Joseph’s Parishioner from 1968 – 1981 and was active in the Legion of Mary religious practice. He was a devoted Roman Catholic who attended Mass daily if possible and also prayed the rosary daily. Ray worked as a patent attorney for 60 years at Monsanto in St. Louis, MO and Xerox in Rochester, NY.
Ted was a parishioner at St. Joseph’s for 39 years. He was very spiritual, attending weekly masses until COVID and then watched daily masses at home on TV. Ted worked as a Sheet Metal Worker for Local Union 46 and retired from Eastman Kodak Company. Together with his wife, they ran a successful upholstery business for over 40 years.
Bev was a parishioner at St. Joseph’s from 1970 until her passing. She was Roman Catholic. Bev taught ‘CCD’ in the 80’s at St. Joseph’s, was a member of the ecumenical and St. Joseph’s Prayer groups, was a past Minister of Holy Communion, and volunteered at Shepherd Home. She also sang in St. Joseph’s Choir.
Andy was a St. Joseph Parishioner from 1970 until he passed. He sang bass in the choir for more than 50 years! In 1970, Andy moved with his family to Penfield and accepted a position with Xerox Corporation. He was a life member of the Perinton, NY VFW Post 8495, and a past Commander of American Legion Braman Post 1229 in Penfield, NY where he often led the Independence Day parade carrying the American flag.
Carl, with his wife Josephine, were parishioners of Holy Spirit. He donated the PA System at Holy Spirit and helped to install it under Pastor Fr. Bush. Carl was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served in Okinawa. He was past Vice President of Rochester Radio, and Simcona Electronics.
Bob was a parishioner at Holy Spirit. He was an Eagle Scout and a life-long supporter of the Boy Scouts of America. He had been an amateur radio operator for over 60 years. Bob retired from Xerox Corporation after nearly 20 years. Bob grew up in a religious family (Eastern Orthodox) and practiced his Catholic faith with his wife.
Tom was a graduate of Alfred State College and retired from Marine Midland Bank after a career of more than 40 years. He was a parishioner of St. Joseph’s for 55 years where he regularly attended Mass and served in many ways over the years, most recently as a Minister of Communion and head collection counter. His faith was very important to him. Tom’s passion was Penfield Little League baseball. He served as a dedicated volunteer, coach, board member and President with Penfield Little League for nearly 50 years.
Charlie worked at Kodak. He was a parishioner at St. Joe’s since 1990. Charlie was married to his wife, Filomena, for 60 years until her death in 2020. His life reflected his love of family and friends and appreciation of family traditions which he passed on to his children and the next generation.
Joan was a parishioner since 1967. She was a part of the dinner crew that prepared meals for the local priests who routinely gathered at the Rectory. Joan had a very strong Catholic faith. She remained constant in her efforts to practice and learn more about her faith, reading from the Bible, the Catholic Catechism and books on our religion.
Matt and his family became parishioners of St. Joe’s about 10 years ago. Matthew described attending Mass as ‘coming home.’ He earned a Master of Arts in philosophy at Michigan State University and went on to teach at Monroe Community College.
Mary had been a parishioner at St. Joseph’s since 1961. As a member of the church, she would go to mass when she was mobile, and later would watch on TV. She worked at Kodak until her son Michael was born, leaving to become a homemaker. She was a poll worker for general elections.
Marty grew up in Penfield and was a 1984 graduate of McQuaid Jesuit High School. He studied Forestry at Paul Smith’s College and received his degree from the University of Montana at Missoula.
Lou was a graduate of Aquinas High School and the University of Rochester. He was a member of the United States Marine Corp. He retired as Executive VP of Rochester Instrument Systems, Inc. and had previously worked for Stromberg-Carlson in Rochester NY and San Diego, CA. He was a longtime member of Oak Hill Country Club and a member of its Board of Governors. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Church.