J. Homer Ball Funeral Home

WHITELAW. . . Michael J. Bosak, 69, of 8676 N. Main Street, Canastota, passed away unexpectedly, on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at his home, that he was so proud to have designed, following a brief illness. He was born on November 1, 1955, in Utica, the son of the late Charles and Helen (Dymon) Bosak. Mike lived in the Utica area most of his life, and was a 1973 graduate of Notre Dame High School. He graduated from Mohawk Valley Community College in 1985. Mike later graduated from SUNY Geneseo and SUNY Buffalo, earning a Master's Degree in Architecture. He worked at Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome for many years, and later worked for USDA Rural Development in Syracuse and Marcy for...

NORTH BAY . . . Jeannette F. "Jean" Patsy, 98, formerly of North Bay and Canastota, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 27, 2024. She was born on August 17, 1925, in Clinton, the daughter of the late Harold, Sr. and Frances (Roach) Morgan. Jean spent her early years in Clinton, attending the Clinton schools. She later lived in North Bay most of her life, and in Canastota for ten years. Jean has been a resident of the Extended Care since 2016. She was a beloved school bus driver for the Camden Central School, retiring after thirty years of service. She loved and cared for all the children on her bus. Jean was very involved in the Camden Little League many years ago, and at...

CANASTOTA . . . The Rev. James K. Heidt, Esq., 70, passed away peacefully, on Monday, June 12, 2023, at his home. He was born on April 17, 1953, in Suffern, NY, as Kevin Bristow, he was adopted by Herbert and Dorothy Heidt into a fully nurturing and dynamic family. As a child, Jim was immersed into the intimate family culture of railroaders: riding with his dad throughout NYS to inventory the lost NYO&W, watching his grandfather working on a weekend steam excursion train, and, during high school, became the 4th generation by working on the O&N, the Ogdensburg and Norwood Railway, the family business and 25 - mile shortline railroad. Jim went to college at Buffalo State, where...

Susan L. (Freunscht) Arre, 96 of Oneida, Passed away on Sunday August 1, 2021, at the Abraham House, in Rome with her daughter at her side. She was born on November 13, 1924 in Fort Salonga, NY, the daughter of the late Otto and Adeline (Bohnenkamp) Freunscht. Susan held a position with the Magnavox Company in Manilus, NY as an assembler for many years and previously on Long Island with Grumman Aircraft. Sue was married to the late Alvin R. Arre. She enjoyed gardening, embroidering and going on rides to see all the deer and beautiful landscapes. Surviving is a daughter Patricia Arre of Oneida with whom she resided; Two cats Emme (Grammie's Sweetie) and Truffles. Sue is also survived by many...

CANASTOTA . . . Ernest P. Catello, III, 43, of 484 Pheasant Run, Canastota, and a longtime resident of Rome, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, May 23, 2021, at his home. He was born on October 10, 1977, in Rome, the son of Ernest P. Catello and Diane (Loson) Catello. Ernie lived in Rome most of his life, attending Rome Free Academy, and he later attended Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica. He has lived in Canastota for the last year. He has been a residential counselor in the Utica area for the last ten years. Ernie loved people, and enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, playing golf, and spending time with his family. He was of the Catholic Faith. Surviving are: two daughters,...

CANASTOTA . . . Kendall P. "Ken" Martin, 87, of Canastota, passed away on Sunday, November 15, 2020, at the Oneida Healthcare Extended Care Facility following a lengthy illness. He was born on December 24, 1932, in Rome, the son of the late Amos H., Sr. and Jessie Mae (Johnson) Martin. Ken spent his early years in Rome and was a 1952 graduate of Rome Free Academy. He has lived in Canastota for many years. He worked for Oneida Limited in Sherrill for 18 years, and later worked for the Canastota Central Schools as a Bus Driver for 8 years, and as Superintendent of the Buildings and Grounds for 9 years. He was a courier for Alliance Bank in Oneida, for 5 years, retiring in 2003. Ken was...

CANASTOTA . . . Clara M. DiPietra, 100, of formerly of 7076 New Yorker Ave, Canastota, passed away on Friday, December 20, 2019, at the Oneida Health Care Extended Care Facility. She was born on May 1, 1919, in Rome, the daughter of the late Nazareno and Modesta (Dursi) Pironi. Clara lived in Rome most of her life, graduating from Rome Free Academy High School in 1937. She lived in Canastota from 2000-2013, when she became a resident of the Extended Care. She worked at Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, from 1942-1967, retiring in 1967. Clara was a member of St. Agatha's Church in Canastota, and formerly of St. John the Baptist in Rome. She enjoyed knitting and crewel, and was an avid...

CANASTOTA . . . Jeanette T. "Gina" Farnach, 89, of Canastota, entered Eternal Life on Monday, December 16, 2019, at the Oneida Healthcare Extended Care Facility, after a brave battle with progressive Alzheimer's disease. She was born on October 10, 1930, in Rome, to the late Philip and Caroline (Cecchetti) Caponera. Jeanette spent her early years in Rome, graduating from Rome Free Academy in 1947. She has lived in Canastota most of her life. She was employed by the Canastota Central School District until her retirement. Jeanette was a communicant of St. Agatha's Church in Canastota. She lived for her family and Sunday dinners, and will be missed by all. Surviving besides her...