HORNELL –Walter Dominic Argentieri, 86, passed away Friday morning (Dec. 11, 2015) at his home on Main St.
Born in Hornell on Aug. 1, 1929, he was a son of the late Henry and Dora Iezzi Argeniteri. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his three brothers, Roger, Hank and Dominic Argentieri; and his sister Letizia Argentieri.
A lifelong resident of Hornell, Walt graduated from St. Ann’s School, when it was located in the Federation Building on Broadway and graduated from Hornell High School in 1947.
He was employed for a year with Things Shoe Store in Rochester and then he proudly served his country with the U.S. Army during the Korean War, from Jan. 8, 1951 to his honorable discharge on Dec. 10, 1952, attaining the rank of SFC. He was a recipient of the Army of Occupation Medal, Japan/Korea Service Medal with one Bronze Star, the Combat Infantry Badge and the United Nations Service Medal.
After being discharged from the military he returned to Hornell and began his career with his father and brothers in the family business, Argentieri Bros. Dry Cleaning & Laundry in Hornell and Wellsville; retiring as President in 2002.
Walt was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and was a communicant of St. Ann’s Church in Hornell where he served as an usher for many years. His other memberships included the Hornell Council No. 243, Knights of Columbus, the Cpl. J.J. Mooney VFW Post No. 2250, the Arthur H. Cunningham American Legion Post No. 440, the AmVets Post No. 245 and the Carducci Lodge, Sons of Italy in Hornell. He was a former member of the Hornell Elks Lodge No. 364 and the Hornell Moose Lodge No. 210.
He enjoyed his morning coffee with friends at Billy Schu’s and reading several newspapers each day. Throughout the years Walter was very generous with his contributions to POWs and Disabled American Vets.
One of Walt’s famous traits, that everyone will remember, were the fancy socks he wore along with a matching dress shirt.
His loving family includes his wife of 56 years, Susan, who he married at St. Ann’s Church in Hornell on Oct. 24, 1959; his four children, Lisa (Keith) Oley of Richmond, Va., Gina (Jim) Speedy of Rochester, Toni (Rick) DeLettera of Rochester and Walter Argentieri of Hornell; his 10 grandchildren, Jimmy Speedy, Amanda Oley, Nick Oley, Vince Oley, Jake Speedy, Catherine DeLettera, Joe DeLettera, Sam Argentieri, Lia Argentieri and Ava Grace Argentieri; his great-grandson, George Oley Gagne; his brother, Richard (JoAnn) Argentieri of Hornell; his sister, Doris (Robert) Kaplan of Rochester; his three sisters-in-law, Peggy Argentieri of Hornell, Jean (the late John) McKay of North Carolina and Kathy (Paul) Zwiefel of Virginia also his many nieces, nephews and cousins.
His family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to neighbors, Philip and Julie Falzarano and Tom and Ann Hoeffner as well as the wonderful care provided by the CareFirst (Hospice) nurses.
The Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. in Hornell is honored to serve the family of Walter D. Argentieri.
Calling hours are 3-7 p.m. Tuesday 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. Wednesday.
Committal prayers and interment, with military honors, will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Town of Fremont.
The United States flag and the Army flag will proudly fly at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. in recognition of Walt’s military service during the Korean War.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to either, St. Ann’s Academy, P.O. Box 446, Hornell or to St. Ann’s Church, 27 Erie Ave., Hornell, N.Y. 14843. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.
Online condolences or remembrances of Walt are welcomed at www.bishopandjohnsonfuneralhome.com.
