Obituaries

Jan 14, 2022

Mary L. (Paonessa) Distefano, 99, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away on Friday, January 14, 2022 at Mt. St. Mary's Hospital. Born in Niagara Falls, she was the daughter of the late Louis E. and Teresa (Posca) Paonessa; and beloved wife of the late Vincent "Jim" A. Distefano whom she married on August 21, 1948.

Mary is...

Jan 11, 2022

Joseph A. Denitto, Sr., 69, passed away on January 11, 2022 at Mount St. Mary's Hospital in Lewiston, NY.  Born in Niagara Falls, NY, he was the son of the late Orlando and Alice (Alviti) Denitto.

Joseph was a graduate of Niagara Falls High School, and later earned Associate's and Bachelor's Degrees in Theology from Houghton College. ...

Jan 11, 2022

Dennis "Denny" Lentz, Age 70, of Mahtomedi, passed away at his home on January 11, 2022.

He had a love of cooking, traveling, history, and especially enjoyed his black & white cowboy TV shows, not to mention the Twilight Zone.  He was a very caring easygoing guy that went with the flow and always met "friends" along...

Jan 11, 2022

Anthony R. "Tony" "Butch" Forgione, 76, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 at Mt. St. Mary's Hospital. Born in Niagara Falls, he was the son of the late Anthony and Marianna (Cammarata) Forgione.

Anthony attended local schools and was a 1964 graduate of Trott Vocational High School. He served in the...

Jan 11, 2022

Josephine Santangelo, 96, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away on January 11, 2022 at Elderwood at Wheatfield.  Born in Niagara Falls, NY, she was the daughter of the late Peter and Angeline (Lioi) Spendio.

Josephine was a graduate of Niagara Falls High School.  On April 27, 1946, she married John Santangelo at St. Joseph's Church.  Mr. Santangelo...

Jan 9, 2022

Jacqueline Marie Nowakowski, age 78, peacefully joined her heavenly Father on Sunday, January 9, 2022.  Jackie, as she was known to family and friends, was born in Buffalo, New York to Jack A. and Ethel N. (Arcangel) Kelleher on July 17, 1943.  On August 14, 1965, she married Anthony J. Nowakowski in Kenmore, NY.

Jackie was a...

Jan 8, 2022

Theresa A. Tumeo, 93, of Niagara Falls, NY passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at Northgate Health Care Facility. Born in Archbald, PA she was the daughter of the late Dominic and Jennie (Cerene) Felicetti; and the beloved wife of the late Angelo S. Tumeo, whom she married on December 3, 1955 in the former Our Lady...

Jan 8, 2022

Julie Eve Beckett, 68, of Niagara Falls NY passed away peacefully on January 8th at Humboldt Home Rehab Center in Buffalo.  Born in Utica NY, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Helen (Zuchowski) Mezzanini.

Julie was a graduate of Proctor High School in Utica NY.  She was previously married to Dale W. Beckett Sr. ...

Jan 7, 2022

David R. Dufresne, 66, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away on January 7, 2022 at Buffalo General Hospital.  Born in Niagara Falls, NY, he was the son of the late Maurice and Ernistine (Harms) Dufresne.

David was employed as a Crane Operator with Great Lakes Carbon.  He was also a cab driver in the City.

...

Jan 7, 2022

Barbara A. Sears, 75 of Niagara Falls, NY passed away on January 7, 2022 in Mt. St. Mary's Hospital, Lewiston, NY. Born April 11, 1946 in Newburgh, NY, she was the daughter of the late James C. and Emma Francis (Anderson) Fehr.

Barb was a graduate of Newburgh Free Academy and worked for several years as a...

Jan 6, 2022

Jeanne Jeras, 65, of Lewiston, NY, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at Mt. St. Mary's Hospital after battling covid pneumonia for six weeks. Born in Niagara Falls, NY, she was the youngest daughter of the late John and Vivian (Walters) LaVia.

Jeanne attended local schools and was a 1974 graduate of the former Madonna...

Jan 4, 2022

Kathleen M. Keeler, 76, of Honeoye Falls, NY, passed away on January 4, 2022. She is predeceased by her parents, William and Eileen (Powers) Keeler, and her sister and brother-in-law Sharon (Keeler) and Ronald Thorpe. Kathleen is survived by her niece, Judy (Richard) Gauger, nephew, Thomas Thorpe (Marcia Benwitz), great nephew, Jacob Thorpe (fiancée Meagan Wansong), great niece Margaret...

Jan 3, 2022

Amalia ("Mollie") Czyhura, 96, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2022 surrounded by her loving family.  Born in Niagara Falls, NY, she was the daughter of the late Cirillo 'Jerry' and Rosalia (Sannicolo) Maule.

Mollie was a 1943 graduate of Niagara Falls High School.  On July 23, 1960, she married Nick Czyhura at...

Jan 1, 2022

Frank Sbrocchi, of Wheatfield, NY, passed away at his residence on January 1, 2022.  Born in Roseto Valfortore, Puglia, Italy, he was the son of the late Antonio and Anna (D'Avanzo) Sbrocchi.

Frank came to America at the age of 13 with his mother reuniting with his father who came years earlier. His brother Nick and sister...

Jan 1, 2022

James E. 'Pnut' Elder, 62, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away on January 1, 2022 at Millard Filmore Suburban Hospital.  Born in Niagara Falls, NY, he was the son of Jerlene (Tyson) Jackson and the late James Elder.

Pnut attended local schools. He proudly served in the United States Army from 1977 until his honorable discharge in...

Dec 31, 2021

Joseph Bradigan, 65, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away on December 31, 2021 at Sisters Hospital in Buffalo, NY.  Born in Niagara Falls, NY, he was the son of the late William J. and Jean E. (Speiran) Bradigan.

Joe attended and graduated from local schools.  On June 30, 1984, he married Janet M. (Fasso) Bradigan in Niagara...

Dec 30, 2021

Marion McKie, 55, of the Sand Turtle Clan and Tuscarora Indian Reservation, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 30, 2021 at Mt. St. Mary's Hospital. Born in Niagara Falls, NY, she was the daughter of the late Thomas A. "Gus" VIII and Myrtle Kay (Patterson) McKie.

Marion was a graduate of Niagara Wheatfield High School and attended...

Dec 30, 2021

Lois Kashella, 73, of Niagara Falls, NY, was called to her everlasting heavenly home by the Lord on Thursday, December 30, 2021. Born in Niagara Falls, she was the daughter of the late Ernest "Bud" and Lois H. (Cassatt) Knapp.

Lois attended local schools and graduated from Niagara Falls High School in 1966. She met her beloved...

Dec 30, 2021

Cassie L. Costanzo, 39, of Tonawanda NY, passed away on Thursday December 30, 2021, after fighting a long battle with mental illness. Born in Lewiston, NY, she was the daughter of Joseph D. and Karen A. (Custode) Costanzo.

Cassie was a graduate of Lewiston-Porter High School and went on to earn her bachelor's degree in hospitality at...

Dec 28, 2021

Ida DeSimone, 94, formerly of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away on December 28, 2021 at her residence in Stony Point, NY surrounded by her family. Born in Welland, Ontario, Canada, she was the daughter of the late Egidio and Nazarena (Dominelli) Ravazzolo. Ida was raised in Canada and attended local schools. As a young woman, she was employed at...