Obituaries published the week of May 1, 2003

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In Memoriam

Richard A. “Paul” Christiano

Owned & operated Christiano Farms

Richard A. “Paul” Christiano, 78, of School St. in Cuylerville, died April 25, 2003 at Wyoming County Community Hospital in Warsaw, N.Y. Mr. Christiano was a lifelong resident of Cuylerville. He owned and operated A. R. Christiano Farms in Leicester. He is survived by his wife Matylda “Tillie” Christiano; three daughters, Karlene Roberts of Conesus, Geraldine Knapp of Baltimore, Md., Mary (Carmen) Sofia of Irondequoit, special son-in-law Thomas (Jane) Knapp of Bel Air, Md.; six grandchildren, Jaime (Kevin Izzo) Roberts of Rochester, Jeffrey Roberts of Conesus, Lesley Knapp of Baltimore, Md., Bradley Knapp of San Diego, Calif., Megan and Matthew Sofia, both of Irondequoit; one sister Mary (John) Andolina of Leicester; three brothers, Francis Christiano of Leicester, Anthony Christiano Jr. of Cuylerville, Gerald Christiano of Geneseo; sister-in-law Anita Christiano of Leicester; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Vincent Christiano March 5, 1995. He was born Feb. 25, 1925 in Cuylerville, the son of Anthony R. and Mary (Longhine) Christiano. Paul was an Honorary Member of the Cuylerville Fire Department and an avid fan of horse racing. Visitation was held at Rector-Hicks Funeral Home, 111 Main St. in Geneseo on Sunday and Monday. Funeral Mass was held April 29 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Leicester with Father Michael Murimi officiating. Burial, St. Mary's Cemetery in Geneseo. Memorials may be made to Cuylerville Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 247, Leicester NY 14481 or Wyoming County Community Hospital ICU, 400 N. Main St., Warsaw NY 14569.

Richard D. Holler

World War II Navy veteran

Richard D. Holler “Dick”, 75, of Livonia, died suddenly April 24, 2003 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. He was born the son of Carl and Elizabeth Allen Holler of Feb. 21, 1928 in Rochester. He was a retired plumber from Eastman Kodak Company and was the grounds keeper at Vitale Park in Lakeville for the last eight years. He was a member of the United Church of Livonia. He was a World War II Navy veteran. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Shirley; his sons, Allan (Joanne) Holler, Michael (Kathryn) Holler, John (Joanne) Holler; six grandchildren, Amy, Nicholas, Jackson, John, Jenny and Jacqueline; sister Marion (William) Boddy; sister-in-law Patricia Holler; several nieces and nephews. Friends called Monday at the Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home Inc., Route 15 in Livonia where Funeral Services were held Tuesday with the Rev. George Davis officiating. Friends wishing may make memorial contributions to the United Church of Livonia or the Livonia Public Library.

Victoria M. Ruffo

Retiree of Craig Developmental Center

Victoria M. “Vicky” Ruffo, 91, of Lackawanna Ave., Mt. Morris died April 22, 2003 at Highland Hospital in Rochester. She was born the daughter of Alfonso and Irene Dellapenna DiTillo on Oct. 11, 1911 in Brazil. She was predeceased by her husband John, son Richard and grandson John. She was a member of St. Patrick's Church in Mt. Morris. She was a retiree of the Craig Developmental Center in Sonyea where she was in the food service. She is survived by her children, John (Roberta) Ruffo of California, Marie (Robert) Zingerella of Greece, David Ruffo of Delaware, Ronald (Ora) Ruffo of Brighton, Daniel (Martha) Ruffo of Albion, N.Y.; 10 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; brother Joseph (Marie) DeTillio of Angola; sisters, Theresa Interdonato and Marie (Dan) Sacco, all of West Seneca; several nieces and nephews. Friends called Friday at the John W. Martin Funeral Home, 37 Chapel St. in Mt. Morris where prayers were said Saturday followed by her Funeral Mass at St. Patrick's Church in Mt. Morris with the Rev. Michael Brown officiating. Burial, St. Patrick's Cemetery. Friends wishing may make memorial contributions to the Midwestern New York State Chapter Tourette Syndrome Association, 573 List Ave., Rochester NY 14617.

Carolyn R. Vedder

Retired stenographer

Carolyn R. Vedder, 75, of 4710 Scottsburg Road, Groveland, died April 25, 2003 at the Livingston County Skilled Nursing Facility in Geneseo. She was born on November 13, 1927 in Dansville the daughter of Daniel and Elvira (Balcom) Russell. Prior to her retirement in 1983 she was employed as a senior stenographer at Craig Developmental Center in Sonyea for 38 years. She was a member of Livingston County Club in Geneseo, Keshequa Golf Club in Sonyea and CSEA. She is survived by her husband of 31 years Deane; children, Linda Radesi of Mt. Morris, James (Jean) Love and John (Julie) Love both of Groveland; nine grandchildren and nine great grandchildren; one brother John “Jack” Russell of California; several nieces and nephews. Friends called Monday at the John W. Martin Funeral Home, 37 Chapel St. (Route 408), Mt. Morris where funeral services were held Tuesday. Interment, Mt. Morris Cemetery. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society or one's favorite Charity.

Harold L. (Pat) Whiteman

Farmer

Harold (Pat) Whiteman, 68, of Spencer, W. Va., entered into eternal rest on March 3, 2003 at Roane General Hospital, of complications of ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). He was born Nov. 16, 1934 in Springwater, N.Y. the son of the late Harold R. and Marion A. Morgan Whiteman. He had been a farmer for many years on the Richmond Beecher farm in Livonia Center. He moved to Florida where he was a golf cart battery salesman before retiring to West Virginia. Two wives, Harriet Whiteman and Diane Whiteman, his parents, Harold R. and Marion A. Whiteman, his sister Gladys Swick and his nephew Rodney Swick, predeceased him. He is survived by his wife of nearly 19 years, Peggy Whiteman; six stepchildren; his brothers, William (Jean) Whiteman of Dansville and John (Naiola) Whiteman, of Livonia; his sisters, Marge Thompson of Shinglehouse, Pa., Jean (Gordon) Rowley of Honeoye, and Nancy (Rich) Smith of Naples, N.Y.; his brother-in-law Elmer Swick of Hemlock; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service was held March 8 at the Spencer Baptist Temple in Spencer, W. Va., where he and Peggy were members.