FRANKLINVILLE - Jeffrey West Sortore, 67, of Franklinville
passed away on Sunday, May 26, 2018 at the Olean General Hospital. He was born
on May 31, 1950 in Wellsville to John and Geanne Morey Sortore. On February 14,
1985 he married Anna Colunio who survives. Jeff
grew up in Belmont from where he graduated from High School. In 1983 he
earned a Bachelor’s Degree and in 1988 he earned his Master’s Degree, both from
St. Bonaventure University. He started his teaching career with BOCES and
retired from West Valley Central School after 33 years of teaching English. He
kept busy during the summer months teaching Summer School at many different
school districts and spent a few summers working at the Marina on Rushford
Lake. In a recent article in the Olean Times Herald Thomas Randolph said this, “He
was a teacher all students would love to have, caring, funny, and teaching for
all the right reasons. He also served as coach of the girls' soccer team and as
advisor for the annual plays”. Jeff's love of all motor sports led him, along
with Thomas Randolph, to start a newspaper dedicated to motor sports. Jeff
later became a contributing writer of motor sports to the Olean Times Herald.
He was a member of the West Valley Teacher's Union where he was a negotiator
for the Union and was a volunteer for the Cattaraugus County SPCA.
Surviving beside his wife Anna are 2 sons, Kelly Tighe of
Aberdeen, MD., and Christian [Donna] Tighe of Ellicotville; 2 daughters, Emily
Sortore of Chatham, VA., and Jennifer [Matt] Bogumil of Ithaca; 4
grandchildren, Elisa, Tia, Olivia, and Cameron; a sister, Anne Sortore of
Belmont. The family would like to thank all his friends for all they have done
for Jeff especially Mike Tronetti, Leonard Presutti, and Thomas Randolph.
Friends are welcomed to call at the Holy Family Catholic
Church in Belmont on Saturday, June 2, 2018, from 10 to 11 a.m. at which time a
funeral service will be celebrated with his Friend, Deacon Frank Pasquale.
Memorials if desired can be made to the Cattaraugus County SPCA. To leave
online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.
