Obituaries

Feb 19, 2023

Shirley Mae Geltz, 94, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away peacefully in Elderwood at Lockport on February 19, 2023. Born in Niagara Falls, she was the daughter of the late Stephen and Lillian (Leisle) Taylor.

Shirley attended local schools and graduated from Niagara Falls High School. On May 8, 1948, she married her beloved husband, Kenneth L....

Feb 18, 2023

Helen Zaninovich, 98, of Niagara Falls, New York, passed away on February 18, 2023, at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. Born in Nagyhalasz, Hungary, she was the daughter of the late Steve and Pearl (Kish) Tolmacs.

Helen moved to Montreal, Quebec with her family as a child, and later moved to St. Catharines, Ontario. On...

Feb 17, 2023

Hilborn Duncan, 85, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away on February 17, 2023 at Niagara Hospice House in Lockport, NY.  Born in Dozier, AL, he was the son of the late Sim and Rozadie (Jowers) Duncan.

Dunc came to the Niagara Falls area in the Mid 1950's.  On June 26, 1982, he married Yvonne (Warner) Duncan in...

Feb 16, 2023

Ann Marie Sterzinger, 77, of Lockport, NY, passed away on February 16, 2023 at Newfane Rehabilitation and Health Center in Newfane, NY.  Born in Cheektowaga, NY, she was the daughter of the late Charles L. and Bernadette (Fitzpatrick) Sterzinger.

Ann Marie was employed as a Cashier at Tops Markets in Haeberle Plaza.  In her younger years, she...

Feb 15, 2023

Heather Ann Williams, 59, of Buffalo, passed away on February 15, 2023 at Buffalo General Hospital.  Born on April 18, 1963 in Syracuse, NY, she was the daughter of the late Hugh and Jean (Brandt) Gould.

Heather earned her Bachelor's Degree in Communications from St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY.  On July 2, 1988, she married...

Feb 15, 2023

Joseph Anthony Toarmino, 71, of Niagara Falls, NY passed away February 15th, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Niagara Falls, NY on June 20th, 1951 to the late Peter Toarmino and the late RoseAnn Falbo Toarmino Rizzo. He was predeceased by a very special and loving stepfather, Angelo Rizzo.

Joe graduated from the...

Feb 15, 2023

Frank B. Martinez, 98, of the Town of Niagara, NY, passed away on February 15, 2022 at his residence under the care of Niagara Hospice.  Born in Meadowbrook, West Virginia, he was the son of the late Louis and Josephine (Menendez) Martinez.

Frank proudly served in the United States Coast Guard in wartime from 1943 until his...

Feb 15, 2023

Michael A. Sepielli, 59, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away on February 15, 2023 at Mt. St. Mary's Hospital.  Born in Niagara Falls, NY, he was the son of Priscilla (Vacca) Sepielli and the late John M. Sepielli and grandson of the late Amerigo and Flora Vacca.

Mike was a graduate of Niagara-Wheatfield High School and attended...

Feb 15, 2023

Mary G. Cosby, 100, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away on February 15, 2023 at her residence under the care of Niagara Hospice.  Born in Niagara Falls, NY, she was the daughter of the late Pasquale and Anna (Wojtac) Guercio.

Mary attended local schools and graduated from Niagara Falls High School.  She earned her Bachelor's Degree in...

Feb 12, 2023

Joseph M. Gambino, 54, of Youngstown, NY, passed away on February 12, 2023.  Born in Niagara Falls, NY, he was the son of the late Joseph and Loretta (Rufrano) Gambino.

Joe was employed as a laborer with Laborer's Local #91 in Niagara Falls, NY and with Laborer's Local 210 in Buffalo, NY.  Joe enjoyed bowling in various...

Feb 11, 2023

Barry J. Virgilio, 65, of Niagara Falls, NY passed away on February 11, 2023 at Niagara Hospice House in Lockport, NY.  Born in Rochester, NY, he was the son of Phyllis (Stehler) Virgilio and the late John Virgilio.

Barry was a graduate of Sperry High School and earned his Bachelor's Degree from Buffalo State College.  He was...

Feb 11, 2023

Vincenzo 'Vince' Perri, 90, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away on February 11, 2023 in West Palm Beach, FL.  Born in Bianchi, Province of Cosenza, Italy, he was the son of the late Giuseppe and Annunziata (Quaranta) Perri.

Vince came to Canada in 1951, and later to Niagara Falls, NY in 1956.  On November 2, 1963 he...

Feb 10, 2023

The one and only Benny Delmont Streeter, the world's greatest Niagara Fall's Finest, the 56 sensation of Niagara Falls, NY made his transition from this life on February 10, 2023. He was born on August 27, 1966, to the Late Doris J. Streeter and Benny Brown. He was a lifelong resident of Niagara Falls he attended  Niagara Falls High...

Feb 9, 2023

Marlene J. Gasbarre, 89, of Niagara Falls, NY passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2023, while a resident of Schoellkopf Health Center. Born in Niagara Falls, NY she was the daughter of the late Simon and Eva (Spencer) Rivers. Marlene was a lifelong resident of Niagara Falls. She attended local schools and graduated from Niagara Falls High School in...

Feb 6, 2023

After a hard-fought battle, Cancer has again taken a beautiful soul, James Bellavia, 69, of Niagara Falls, on February 6, 2023, at his residence.  Jim was a wonderful partner, husband, father and mentor to our son.  He was full of life and love.  He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Lenora (Farrell) Bellavia and his loving son,...

Feb 4, 2023

Sandra J. Monti, 82, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away on February 4, 2023 at her residence after a battle with an illness.  Born on August 6, 1940, she was the daughter of the late Kenneth J. Waggoner, Sr. and the late Marguerite (Benson) Waggoner.

Sandie was a graduate of Niagara Falls High School.  After high school,...

Feb 4, 2023

John R. Passalacqua, 52, of Lewiston, NY, passed away on February 4, 2023 at his residence under the care of Niagara Hospice after a courageous 17-year battle with Multiple Sclerosis.  Born in Buffalo, NY, he was the son of John and Michele M. (Falsetti) Passalacqua.

John was employed with Babcock & Brown Residential Property Management in Charlotte,...

Feb 3, 2023

Donald Lee Streeter, known as "Don" 70, of Niagara Falls, NY peacefully made his transition from this life on February 3, 2023. Born on March 5, 1952 in Niagara Falls, NY, to the late Eddie and Ruth (Pickett) Streeter.  He was raised by his aunt and uncle, Corene & Toby Jackson.

Don was a lifelong resident of...

Jan 29, 2023

Lorraine Theresa (Conti) Pealer, 87, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away peacefully on January 29, 2023 at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center after a long and courageous battle with cancer.  Born on February 17, 1935 in Niagara Falls, NY, she was the daughter of the late John (Giovanni Poggiani) and Josephine (LaVerde) Conti.

Lorraine was raised on...

Jan 29, 2023

Clara M. Ligammare, 100, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away on January 29, 2023 at Our Lady of Peace Nursing Care Residence in Lewiston, NY.  Born in Dubois, PA, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Gaetana 'Ida' (Benfante) Nero.

Clara came to the area with her family as a child.  She attended local schools...