Joseph Gerard Koroly

Joseph Gerard Koroly, born August 19, 1932, in Scranton, PA  at 91 years old, passed peacefully, on Saturday, December 30, 2023, surrounded by his loving caregivers at the Veterans Home in Batavia, New York.  His children and some of his grandchildren were able to be with him the days before to say goodbye. We gathered, shared stories, and played music for him.

Joesph is pre-deceased by his parents, John and Anna Koroly, and his siblings, brother, John Koroly, and sister, Margaret (Koroly) Karley. Joseph is survived by his four adult children, son, Zain Koroly and spouse/daughter-in-law Lori Leckie and granddaughter, Shelby Koroly and great-grandchildren, Peyton and Greyson, and grandson, Zain Koroly; daughter, Kolein (Koroly) Carlson and spouse/son-in-law, Eric Carlson and grandsons, Kenyon and Sean Carlson; daughter, Jenelle Koroly and granddaughter, Kristina (Koroly) Soto and grandson-in-law, Edwin and great-granddaughter, Alanna Couture and son, Brier Koroly and spouse/daughter-in-law, Carolyn (Crawford) Koroly, grandsons, Michael, BJ, Tripp, and Tyler Koroly; as well as his wife of 66 years, Frances (Watson) Koroly and many nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and nephews. 

Joseph, known to some as Dad, Poppy, Grandpa, Joe, or "Crotch" served in the National Guard for 2 years and then the Coast Guard for 4 years during the Korean War. He was employed with the Rochester Telephone Company for his working career. Joe/Dad was a lover of country music, horses, barns, and lighthouses. With his naturally gifted melodic singing voice, he would play the guitar and sing at home as well as locally at barn nights in and around the Rochester area. He had an uncanny way of making vocal sounds, whistling like a bird as well as his beautiful gift of yodeling. He loved to laugh and crack jokes! He was an amazing and talented woodworker; he loved to work with his hands and create.

He lived the last two years of his life under the care of the loving staff at the Batavia Veterans Home. There Dad made friends, sang and yodeled, and was given the task of reading the morning announcements on occasion - complete with songs and yodels.  He was the life of the party.  Joe was loved by the staff and will be missed by many of the residents as well.

Joseph's viewing will be on Friday, January 5, 2023, at Ross Funeral Home, Akron, New York from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon followed by a Military Burial Service at 1:00 pm at the Interment Chapel at the WESTERN NEW YORK NATIONAL CEMETERY in Corfu, New York. 

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