Obituaries

Aug 18, 2023

Van Jason Harry Herkimer Jr., beloved infant, was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on August 18, 2023.  He was the son of Van Jason Harry Herkimer Sr. and Melanie A. Smith.

In addition to his parents, Van is survived by his step-siblings, Sheila (Casey) Fernandez, Selena (David) Knoxsah, and Duey Longboat, as well as his granparents...

Aug 18, 2023

Aaron D. Swanson, 46, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away unexpectedly on August 18, 2023 at his residence.  Born in Buffalo, NY, he was the son of the Theodore R. Swanson and the late Dortha (McClain) Swanson.

Aaron received his Associates Degree in Culinary Arts from Niagara County Community College.  He was employed as a cook at...

Aug 17, 2023

Nancy A. Bonacci, 90, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away on August 17, 2023 at Niagara Hospice House in Lockport, NY.  Born in Manhattan, NY, she was the daughter of the late Salvatore and Florida (Guarnieri) Oliva.

Nancy was a graduate of Cathedral Prep in New York City.  On January 31, 1953, she married Edward H. Bonacci...

Aug 15, 2023

John M. Surma, 78, of West Seneca, NY, passed away on August 15, 2023 at Hospice of Buffalo.  Born in Dunkirk, NY, he was the son of the late Victor and Irene (Frankevich) Surma.

John was employed as an Electrician with Hebeler Corporation in Buffalo, NY.  He enjoyed playing the horses, going to the casino, and was...

Aug 15, 2023

Lloyd A. Potter, 98, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. Born in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, he was the son of the late Roy and Isobel (Williams) Potter.

Lloyd moved to Niagara Falls with his family as a child and graduated from LaSalle High School. During World War II, he proudly served...

Aug 14, 2023

John Paul Radford, 66, born on February 14, 1957 in Windsor, Ontario, tragically passed away on August 14, 2023, in a car accident near Raleigh, NC.

He graduated from The University of Western Ontario in 1980. Preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Edna, and his twin sister, Lisa, he is survived by his oldest brother,...

Aug 14, 2023

Kathleen A. Maher, 75, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away on Monday, August 14, 2023 in Buffalo General Hospital. Born in Niagara Falls, she was the daughter of the late Robert J. and Anne M. (Boland) Maher.

Kathleen was a graduate of the former Madonna High School and obtained her Bachelor's degree from Medaille College. She earned...

Aug 14, 2023

Timothy S. Woodean, 60, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed suddenly on August 14, 2023 in Niagara Falls. Born in Niagara Falls, NY, he was the son of the late Robert and Patricia (Wellsmiller) Woodean.

"Hap", as he was known to his very many friends, was a great man and was always willing to help anyone in need.  ...

Aug 12, 2023

Former Niagara Falls Fire Department Battalion Chief

Frank Eugeni, Sr., 88, of Lewiston, NY, and formerly of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 12, 2023. Born in Niagara Falls, he was the son of the late Luigi and Paradisa (Zuccari) Eugeni. He was predeceased by his dedicated wife and soulmate Loretta (Centofanti)...

Aug 10, 2023

Zora DeFranco joined her beloved husband James DeFranco and son Jimmy DeFranco in Heaven on August 10th, 2023. She was 93 years old, and in her home surrounded by her children and grandchildren when she passed.

She is succeeded by her daughters, Constance Nardello (Duke Nardello), Mary Kennedy, Andrea DeFranco (late Rick Tarapczynski), Denise Mast (Tim Mast),...

Aug 10, 2023

Josephine Lallo, 102, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away on August 10th, 2023 at Niagara Hospice House in Lockport, NY.  Born April 8th, 1921, in Termini Imerese, Sicily, Italy, the eldest of 4 children, she was the daughter of the late Antonio and Angelina (Alaimo) Merlino, a farmer and a homemaker. On September 6th,1952, she married Louis Lallo at...

Aug 9, 2023

Suzanne M. Austin, 69, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away on August 9, 2023 at Mt. St. Mary's Hospital in Lewiston, NY.  Born in Niagara Falls, NY, she was the daughter of the late Melvin and Jeanette (Morowski) Austin.

Sue was a graduate of Niagara Falls High School.  She was employed for over 20 years with the...

Aug 8, 2023

Alice Seigler Whitlock, a resident of Wheatfield, NY, passed away Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at Mount St. Mary's Hospital.  Alice was 83 years old.

Alice was born in Aiken, SC on April 15, 1940 to the late Mr. Wyman and Mrs. Lucy Seigler.  On September 2, 1961, she married her husband of 59 years, Emery Whitlock.  Alice...

Aug 7, 2023

Richard 'Rick' Eldridge, 67, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 7, 2023. Born in Niagara Falls, NY, he was the son of the late Frank and Audrey 'Stevie' Mae (Stephenson) Eldridge.

Rick attended local schools and graduated from LaSalle High School in 1974. In the late 1970's, he moved to Las Vegas, NV,...

Aug 3, 2023

Josephine J. Portik, 76, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away peacefully on August 3, 2023. Born in Niagara Falls, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Frances (Virga) Marra; and the beloved wife of the late John F Portik, Jr., whom she married May 22, 1971 at St. Joseph's Church.

Josephine was a graduate of...

Jul 31, 2023

Michelle Jansen, 48, formerly of Lockport, NY, and of Peoria, AZ, passed away on Monday, July 31, 2023, following a tragic motorcycle accident in Arizona. Born in Baltimore, MD, she was the daughter of Marie Stidham and the stepdaughter of Wayne Heil. On June 9, 2007, she married her cherished husband, Gerald 'Jerry' Jansen, Jr. Jerry sadly predeceased her...

Jul 31, 2023

Peter S. Fatouros, 90, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 31, 2023. Born in Niagara Falls, he was the son of the late Sarontos 'Steve' and Elizabeth (Stack) Fatouros.

Peter attended local schools and was a 1951 graduate of Bishop Duffy High School. He proudly served four years in the United States Navy...

Jul 29, 2023

Barbara B. Sharp, 68, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, July 29, 2023. Born in Niagara Falls, she was the daughter of the late John J. and Margaret R. (Irwin) Kelly.

Barb was a lifelong resident of Niagara Falls where she attended LaSalle Senior High School. She was an avid shopper, enjoyed listening to...

Jul 29, 2023

Jenny Ferlito, 91, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away peacefully with her family on Saturday, July 29, 2023. Born in Niagara Falls, she was the daughter of the late Gaetano and Maria (Trapasso) Schiro.

Jenny was a graduate of Niagara Falls High School. On December 22, 1951, she married her beloved husband, James 'Jim' Ferlito at St....

Jul 28, 2023

Mary Ann Fernandez passed away after a long illness at Our Lady of Peace in Lewiston, N.Y.  She was born in Niagara Falls, NY to Joseph and Mary Donofro on December 8, 1936.

Mary Ann was a well-respected business woman in Western NY as the owner of Celenza Florist which she established in 1970.  She served many...