James R Alessio

Seneca Falls - James R. Alessio, 91, of Lehigh Acres, Florida, formerly of Seneca Falls, NY, passed away on Thursday (December 27, 2018) at Landmark Hospital in Naples, Florida.

Jim's family will greet friends on Friday (January 4, 2019) from 4 PM to 7 PM at the Doran Funeral Home, 4 E. Bayard St., Seneca Falls. His Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday (January 5, 2019) at 11 AM at St. Patrick's Church, Seneca Falls, by Reverend James Fennessy, Pastor. Burial, in St. Mary's Cemetery, Geneseo, NY, will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Francis/St. Clare Parish, 25 Center St., Waterloo, NY 13165, Seneca Falls/Waterloo Knights of Columbus, C/o George Sanderson, 9 Sullivan Dr., Seneca Falls, NY 13148 or Seneca Falls Community Band, P. O. Box 488, Seneca Falls, NY 13148.

Jim was born in Piffard, NY on March 15, 1927, son of the late George & Georgetta (Pisaro) Alessio. He served honorably in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a graduate of the State University of New York at Geneseo where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and was nominated as a Distinguished Educator in 2010. He later attended Cornell University and earned his Master's degree in Education from Syracuse University, sparking a lifelong love of Syracuse sports, especially the Orange basketball and football teams. Jim spent his career as an elementary school principal, ultimately retiring as the head of Frank M. Knight Elementary and Elizabeth Cady Stanton School in Seneca Falls. Jim was devoted to his young students, and received national recognition for knowing the names of every single child in his care. He was a member of St. Patrick's Church while residing in Seneca Falls and was a 4th degree member of the Seneca Falls Knights of Columbus. He was proud of an honor he received while in high school -- the Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award. Jim was a talented woodwind musician, playing the clarinet, flute and saxophone in several bands, including the Seneca Falls Community Band. Jim was very community-minded, serving with and supporting several local organizations. He truly loved all aspects of Seneca Falls.

He is survived by:
2 daughters - Judy (Robert) Palmateer - Canandaigua, NY
Stacey (James) Anderson - Seneca Falls, NY
3 sons - Richard (Linda) Alessio - Hudson, MA
Michael Alessio - Seneca Falls, NY
Thomas Alessio - Lehigh Acres, FL
His grandchildren - Paige Palmateer; Cassandra Benedek; Michelle LoFurno; Dominic, Alejandra, & Julio Alessio; Jacob & Ian Anderson, Isabella Alessio, & Nicholas Jones
His great-grandchild - Otto Benedek
In addition to his parents, Jim was predeceased by his wife, Phyllis Alessio, who died April 23, 2008, a daughter, Kim, 2 sisters, Louise Alianell & Agnes Bonacquisti, 5 brothers, Frank & Thomas Allison, George Alessio, and Rodney & Ronald Alessio.

Please consider leaving a condolence in memory of Jim at:
doranfuneralhome.com

Service Details.

Visitation

When: Friday, January 4th, 2019 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: Doran Funeral Home
Address: 4 East Bayard Street Seneca Falls, New York 13148

Mass Saturday, January 5th, 2019 | 11:00am
When: Saturday, January 5th, 2019 11:00am
Location: St. Patrick's Church
Address: 97 W. Bayard St. Seneca Falls, New York 13148