Leo J. DelRossa, Jr., 76, of Penn Yan, NY, died Friday evening, July 12, 2019, at Hildebrandt Hospice Care in Rochester, NY.
Born in Penn Yan on December 2, 1942, he was the son of Leo and Rose (Ribble) DelRossa.
Leo grew up in Dresden, NY, and was a graduate of Penn Yan Academy. He had resided in Penn Yan since the age of 19.
At a very young age, Leo began working for his father at DelRossa Ford Tractor & Implement in Penn Yan. He was active in the family business for his entire life, managing DelRossa Ford—later Torrey Auto—in Dresden for 45 years. Leo was an award-winning mechanic and sales representative. He trained for, practiced, and mastered every aspect of the business including service calls, sales, mechanical service and repairs, accounting, and facility maintenance. Customer service was natural to this man who was loved by so many.
Leo attended St. Michael’s Church in Penn Yan. He was a member of the American Legion and many clubs, including the Elks, Moose, Duck Hunters, Penn Yan Hunting, and Himrod Field and Stream Conservation.
Leo was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was an excellent cook. He also enjoyed working in his vegetable garden. Leo was famously generous towards family, friends, and customers—and sometimes for complete strangers in need—there was no kindness that Leo would not do. To be touched by Leo’s unselfishness was to feel the Holy Spirit in action.
Surviving are his father, Leo J. DelRossa of Dresden; his longtime companion, Carol O’Keane of Rochester; a son, Leo J. “Skip” (Cindy Thompson) DelRossa, III; daughters Lena (John) McDermott of Hornell, NY and Christina DelRossa of Dundee, NY; brothers Alan (Joyce) DelRossa of Dresden, Erwin “Rocky” (Ginny Robinson) DelRossa of North Rose, NY, Jeff (Mary) DelRossa of Pittsburgh, PA, and Michael (Braedy) DelRossa of Geneva, NY; sisters Betty (Jerry) Masters of Geneva, Michelle “Mikki” (Eric) Sheldon of Dresden, Myra (Rick) Adsitt of Geneva, Dale Wood of Penn Yan, and Marcia (Tim) Gunkler of Penn Yan; grandchildren Britni (Jacob) Wilmot, Devon Forman, Alaina (David) Wilcox-McDermott, and Kelcie (Andrew) Lewis; great-grandchildren Caden Wilmot, Riley Wilmot, and Cullen Lewis; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
At Leo’s request, there will be no calling hours. A “Celebration of Life” will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2019 at 3:00 PM at the Himrod Field and Stream Conservation Club, 770 Rice Road, Himrod, NY 14842. Friends and family can gather there to share stories and reminisce, while enjoying food and drink in a casual outdoor setting.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.
Leo’s family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name be made to Hildebrandt Hospice Care, 2652 Ridgeway Ave., Rochester, NY 14626.
The DelRossa family and our family shared years of weekly family get togethers. Those years of family and friends gathering are so memorable. Leo will be missed by so many as he has touched many hearts. He was like another brother of mine. Prayers and loving thoughts to his family. Love Baby Sister Moira
Leo, Sr.,
I was saddened to hear of your loss. Please know how very sorry I am as I considered both of you as good friends when I was a Trooper at Penn Yan years ago. God Bless.
My condolences to Leo Sr and whole family. Leo Jr and brothers were always kind and helpful at the dealership when I stopped in. Those were the WSFW radio days many years ago. Take care, Moe (Koch) Young
“Butch” was a lifelong friend who I owe for many favors he always found time to help with over the years. I will miss him. My most heartfelt sympathy to the entire Del Rossa family. Leo (Sr) raised a good man.
My heartfelt condolences to all of you. I was so sorry to learn of the loss of Leo Jr. Praying, as you gather to remember such a beautiful life, that your memories and stories will comfort you as you grieve.
Carol, I am so so very sorry for your loss.
With deepest sympathies,
Peggy Roberts
Lena and family, sending love and condolences.
Over the years my parents bought their vehicles from Butch and he always serviced them, even coming to the house to pick up the vehicle and bring it back when he was done servicing it. For many years he drove my father up to the Adirondacks. Our family appreciates all he did for our dad and for us. I saw him after he got back from Florida and he told me he was retiring and looking forward to it. So sorry for your loss. Thinking about you Myra, and all your family.
My father, Tom McClure, and Chink grew up together in Dresden and dad had his cars serviced by Chink throughout the years until he finally broke down and bought a car from him! I’m so sorry to read about the loss of his son. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Butch will be missed! He helped me out so many times working with me on car repair for both myself and my kids as they started driving. So patient explaining what was wrong and what needed to be done and how it could be done and how to prevent it from happening again or at least delay the happening for a while….
My condolences to the family!