CANISTEO-John J. Dessena, 61, of Cliffside Dr., passed away late Tuesday afternoon (Feb. 3, 2015) at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, after a long illness.
Born in Hornell on Nov. 25, 1953, he was a son of John Dessena, who survives and Julia Marino Dessena, who predeceased him on April 20, 1993.
A graduate of Hornell High School, John received an associate’s degree from Alfred State College and also attended Geneseo State College and Alfred University.
For more than 37 years John was employed by the NYSDOT, retiring as a Main Office Reviewer for Real Estate; he also owned and operated Finger Lakes Appraisal.
He was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and was a communicant of St. Ann’s Church in Hornell. At one time John had his own band, “Breezin”, and was also a member of the Hornell Area Wind Ensemble, the Sterling Brass and the A.O. Pilot Association.
Along with flying, music was his main interest. John also enjoyed gambling, trips to casinos, especially Las Vegas, playing cards, boating, fishing, cigars and a fine wine.
His loving family includes his two children, Lauren (Brian) Prunoske of Livonia and James Dessena (Leslie Nolasco) of Odessa, Tx.; their mother, Susan Dessena of North Hornell; his father, John Dessena of Hornell; his two brothers, Richard (Kathy) Dessena of North Hornell and Carl Dessena (Terri LaVerde) of Hornell; also his nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins
The Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. in Hornell is honored to serve the family of John J. Dessena.
Calling hours are 4-8 p.m. today (Friday) at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell. Friends are invited to meet his family at St. Ann’s Church in Hornell where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday. Following the Mass, the immediate family will attend a private committal prayer service at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Town of Fremont.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute his memory to either the American Diabetes Assoc., 160 Allens Creek Road, Rochester, N.Y. 14618 or the American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.
Online condolences or remembrances of John are welcomed at www.bishopandjohnsonfuneralhome.com.
