Hornell - John A. Dessena, 89, formerly of 43 East Main St.,
and 2 Holly Terrace, Hornell, died Friday morning (November 17, 2017) at
Hornell Gardens, following a long illness. A native & life resident of
Hornell, he was born April 13, 1928 and was the son of Joseph & Mary
(DeGaetano) Dessena and the stepson of Teresa Marie (Scaglione) Dessena. John
attended St. Ann’s School and was a graduate of Hornell High School (class of
1946). He was a veteran of the US Army,
serving his country from 1946 - 1948.
While in the Army, he was stationed for a time in Japan. He was employed
for about 44 years at the Erie Railroad, Erie Lackawanna Railroad and Conrail
in many capacities. He began his
railroad career by working in the Erie Shops and retired in 1988 as Division
Engineer with Conrail.
John was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a
communicant of St. Ann’s Church. He also
had been a member of the Hornell Knights of Columbus, the Carducci Lodge (Sons
of Italy) and the National Rifle Association.
He was a true outdoorsman who thoroughly enjoyed hunting
(both with a rifle and with bow & arrow) and also loved fishing. For many years, John enjoyed long distant
running and later he enjoyed taking daily walks.
He was married on June 28, 1952 to the former Julia Marino
who died April 20, 1993. He was also
preceded in death by his son, John Dessena JR who died February 3, 2015.
Surviving are two sons, Rich (Kathy) Dessena of Hornell and
Carl (Terri LaVerde) Dessena of Hornell; 1 sister, Leona Dessena of Hornell; 1
brother, Joseph (Adele) Dessena of Hornell; 5 grandchildren, Lauren (Brian)
Prunoske, James (Crystal Montoya) Dessena, Kaelyn (Matt Wilcox) Dessena,
Matthew Dessena and Sam Dessena; 1 great-grandson, Zachary Prunoske; several
nieces, nephews & cousins.
The family of John A. Dessena will receive friends on Friday
(Nov. 24, 2017) from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38
Church St., Hornell, NY. A Memorial Mass
will be celebrated on Saturday (Nov. 25, 2017) at 11:00 a.m. at St. Ann’s
Church with final interment in St. Mary’s Cemetery. In honor of John’s service
to his country by serving in the US Army, the American Flag will be flown at
half-staff at the Dagon Funeral Home. John’s family request that memorial
contributions in his name be made to either the American Diabetes Association,
PO Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 435 East
Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY 14620.
Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home.
