Comella, Francis J.

With heavy hearts, we announce the death to this life of Fran, who celebrated his 82^nd birthday on July 23, this year and was called home to his Creator Father on October 28, 2023.

He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Isabella Comella. Fran’s deeply saddened survivors are his wife of 60 years, Kathy, his brother Gerard, his 3 sons and spouses: Mike (and friend Edie Fulton), Chris (Kathy), and Joe (Michelle); his 6 grandchildren: Phillip, Lauren, Isabel, Ingrid, Madalyn, and Sophie, special young friends Ethan and Owen Fulton, much-loved sister-in-law and brother-in-law Toni and Eugene Pickett, nephews, nieces, grandnieces and grandnephews, numerous relatives and friends.

Fran was a graduate of St. Mary’s School and Canandaigua Academy. His mechanical passion began when, while in high school, he was given an old mercury. He sent many hours rebuilding and refurbishing that car. After graduating high school, he was employed as a route man for Frosty Vend in Rochester, eventually transferring to Quik-Cafe in Canandaigua in the same capacity. In 1965 he was blessed with the opportunity to open his own full automotive service business, Comellas’ Service Station, in Canandaigua. In 1994 he closed his shop and was employed by Canandaigua Wine Company as a forklift operator until retirement in 2012.

He resided in Canandaigua until 1996 and was a parishioner of St. Mary’s in Canandaigua, where he served as parish council president and was a Third Degree Knight Of Columbus. In March, 1996, he and Kathy moved to Pittsford, and became parishioners of St. John of Rochester in Fairport.

Fran was happiest when puttering with machines whether his vehicles, lawnmower, and snowblower, or working at his work bench, which he built. Zydeco, jazz, and the Big Bands were among his musical favorites, and, until his vision became problematic, he enjoyed reading, working crossword puzzles, tinkering with whichever household item needed repair, watching old westerns, “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy.”

On October 12, he was admitted to Rochester General Hospital and took his last breath on Saturday, October 28, in the Medical ICU, where he received excellent care. His profound faith in his loving God, his honesty, candor, and wry sense of humor are deeply embedded in those who knew Fran.

In lieu of flowers, donations, in Fran’s memory, may be made to St. Ann’s Community, 1550 Portland Ave, Rochester, NY 14621.

At his request, there will be no calling hours. Mass of celebration of Fran’s life will be held Friday, November 3^rd, at 1 PM, at St. John of Rochester, Fairport, NY, with a reception immediately following. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Fran’s life.

For those unable to be with us in person, a live funeral link at SJR can be found at https://stjohnfairport.org/streaming.