Russell A. Cerminara, 83, of Grand Island, NY passed away on Wednesday January 1, 2014 at his residence. Born in Niagara Falls, NY he was the son of the late Antonio and Francesca (Guadagnola) Cerminara.

Russell attended local schools, and graduated from the former Trott Vocational High School. He proudly served in the United States Navy from January 21, 1949 until January 23, 1950, and from September 5, 1950 and served aboard the USS Salisbury Sound and USS Antietam until his honorable discharge on August 19, 1952. For forty-eight years, he worked as a police officer for the City of Niagara Falls and retired as a Captain in 2001. He also worked security part-time for Alfred Elia Construction in Niagara Falls, NY. Russell was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing and playing cards with his friends. He was proud that he constructed his own log cabin in the Southern Tier.

His wife of fifty-five years, Betty Ann (Daniels) Cerminara, passed away on December 15, 2008. Mr. Cerminara is survived by two daughters, Therese M. (Dale) Heary of Niagara Falls, NY and Debra M. (Todd) Reublin of Thousand Oaks, CA; five grandchildren, Nina (Kevin) Schendel, Christin (Venkat) Kolli, Anthony (Amy) Heary, Angela Heary, and Gabrielle Reublin; four great-grandsons, Cooper and Hudson Schendel, Nicholas Heary, and Amar Kolli; three sisters Nancy (late Ernest) DeLabio of Niagara Falls, NY, Rose Marie (Leo) Wrobel of Massachusetts, and Frances Cerminara of Niagara Falls, NY; and many nieces and nephews, and his beloved poodle, Fudge. He was predeceased by his siblings, Dora (late Jim) Baranyi, Jennie (late John) Hellman, Caroline (late Robert) Stumpf, Angela (late Harold) Patterson, Samuel (late Beatrice) Cerminara, Lena (late Bill) Bracalello, Leonora ( late Alfred) Ligammari, August (late Beatrice) Cerminara, Patrick (late Norma) Cerminara, and Mary Rosa Cerminara.

Visitation will be held on Monday January 6th from 10:30 AM until 12 NOON at the M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL 2730 MILITARY ROAD NIAGARA FALLS, NY where funeral services will immediately follow at 12 NOON with Rev. Duane Klizek, officiating. Entombment with military honors will be held at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lewiston, NY. Flowers are gratefully declined.