LIVONIA: At age 99, Frank entered into the loving arms of his savior on March 12, 2024. He was predeceased by his parents Michael and Laura (Smith) West; loving wife of 65 years, Betty Ann West; sons Michael and Brian West; grandson Todd West; and siblings Joseph West, Annette Panipinto, Joan Trescott and Grace Shepard. He is survived by his children Daniel (Karen Kurtz) West of Fernandina Beach, FL; Frank (Wendy) West of Rochester; Barbara West of Livonia Center; and Colleen (Earl) Hay of Livonia. He is also survived by daughters-in-law Susan (Peck) West and Sandra (Johnson) West; sisters Patricia Bush, Carole (E. Philip) Saunders, Sheila Cook, Sharon (Johnston) Fitzsimmons; 17 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and many dear nieces, nephews and friends.
Frank was proud of his large extended family and was the self-proclaimed “Patriarch of the West Family.” His Italian heritage was very important to him, and he was deeply moved when his son, Frank, took Betty and him to Italy to visit his father’s birthplace in Passopisciaro, Sicily. While there, they saw where his grandmother Antonina “Anna” Vasta operated her cigar shop before emigrating to the United States.
Frank used to say he was born and grew up in Livonia Center “in back of St. Mike’s.” A lifetime Catholic, he was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church until it closed on June 6, 1982, and he subsequently became a member of St. Matthew Faith Community. In recent years, Frank was not able to attend Mass in person, but he faithfully watched it on television every Sunday and prayed regularly for his family, friends, and community.
In addition to his love for the church, Frank possessed a strong work ethic. He started working on the family farm in South Lima as a boy, then helped his father run the Commercial Hotel in Livonia. After leaving the Hotel, he was employed at Rochester Products, a division of General Motors, where he advanced from Screw Machine Operator to General Plant Manager of the Lexington Road location. Not only did he work hard to support his family, but he taught his children the importance of diligence, excellence, and loyalty. For example, he only drove GM cars and insisted his family follow suit.
Frank had a passion for hunting, fishing, the Yankees and the Buffalo Bills and enjoyed sharing these pastimes with friends and family. One of his favorite sayings was, “you don’t have to be hungry to eat,” and he relished cooking and eating a variety of wild game and Italian dishes. Venison, eggplant parmesan, and cuccidati were some of his favorite foods.
Family and friends may call Tuesday, March 19th, from 4-7 PM at the Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc., 21 Big Tree St., Route 20A, Livonia, NY. Funeral Mass, Wednesday, March 20th, at 10 AM at St. Matthew Church, 6591 Richmond Mills Rd., Livonia. Livestream at: www.facebook.com/stsmaryandmatthewfaithcommunity. Burial, St. Michael’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Frank’s memory to: Livonia Ambulance, PO Box 8, Livonia, NY 14487; and Chip Holt Nature Center, c/o Matt Sanderson, Treasurer, PO Box 523, Lakeville, NY 14480. To send a condolence or share a memory please visit: www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com
I met Frank back in the late 80’s, very soft spoken person and enjoyed speaking with him on several occasions over the years.
Our condolences to Dan, Frank and family.
Lived behind Frank and Betty on Frances Way for a few years. He was always ready with a smile and a wave when I walked by with my kid or dog. Rest in peace he was a great man. Kristen Brown
Very sorry to see that Frank passed. He was a good friend to my dad, Albert.
Sincerely, Raymond Valerio
To the West family,
What a long and wonderful life your dad lived, and with your mom, produced a large and wonderful family! How lucky you were to have that smile for so long! My fondest memory is of Frank’s smile – warm and loving and it always made me feel he was happy to see me. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of loss.
Frank was a special guy. He was a fixture in Livonia, raised a great family and always welcomed you anytime you ran into him with his great smile and kind words. He will be missed and remembered. Im only sorry I can not attend his memorial . My thoughts and prayers to his immediate family. Mike and Shari West
So sorry for your loss…
Frank was an enduring, interesting, fun man. He was always eager to meet with friends, enjoy chats and give everyone a big smile. He will be missed!
I HAVE KNOW FRANK SINCE CHILDHOOD. SPENT MANY WEEKENDS AT THE
WEST HOME IN LIVONIA CENTER VISITING HIS SISTER CAROL WHO SHE & I
WERE VERY CLOSE FRIENDS FOR MANY YEARS. FRANK WAS SUCH A GOOD LOOKING MAN AND FRIENDLY TO ME. LOVED SEEING HIM AT WEST’S
STORE TO HAVE A SHORT CHAT. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE FRANK.. ;
To Barb and her family, so sorry for your loss. How fortunate you were to have him for such a long life. RIP Mr. West
Frank was blessed, proud, loved, faithful, happy … always a gentleman!
He will be missed by many, but the angels happily escorted him “home”.
Love and prayers to his family and all who loved him.
My deepest most heartfelt condolences to the Family of Mr. West. May the many happy memories you hold soon replace the grief of your loss.
My condolences to all Franks family . He was a man of integrity and caring ..I always enjoyed our post office chats when I saw him and he never forgot to ask about the Ark and my donkeys. A true fixture of Livonia to be missed.
My condolences to Dan, Frank, Barb, and Colleen as well as the entire West family. You were so blessed to have him with you for so many years, and I’m sure that you take comfort in knowing he is reunited with your beautiful mother in Heaven now. May memories of happy times spent with your dad sustain you all at this difficult time.