Obituary of Bernard Leo Balistreri

Bernard 'Bernie' Leo Balistreri GENEVA- Bernard 'Bernie' Leo Balistreri, 69, passed away peacefully on Sun. (Dec. 27, 2015), at Geneva General Hospital. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Fri. (Jan. 1), at the Palmisano-Mull Funeral Home LLC 28 Genesee St. Geneva. Military honors will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Sat. (Jan. 2), at St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Geneva. Burial will follow in Oaklawn Cemetery. Donations in Bernie's honor may be directed to the Buckhorn Sportsman Club 323 State Route 96 Phelps, NY 14532, or St. Stephen's Catholic Church 130 Exchange St. Geneva, NY 14456. Bernie was born on June 11, 1946 in Geneva, NY and was the son of Frank and Mary (Luongo) Balistreri. He served his country in the United States Air Force from 1965-69. Bernie worked as a systems analyst and retired from Gould Pumps in Seneca Falls. He was a former member of the Sons of Italy Lodge 2397, a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of the Buckhorn Gun Club, the Newark Gun Club, the American Legion Post 396 and Our Lady of Peace Parish. After his accident in the fall 2000, he continued to enjoy his favorite passion which was hunting. Prior to his accident, Bernie enjoyed fishing and was an avid golfer and pool player. He is survived by his loving wife, Rose (McDonald) Balistreri of Geneva; daughter, Tara Balistreri of Geneva; sister, Camille (Gerald) Grosso of VA; nieces and nephews, Gina (Brian) and Jerry Grosso, Michael, Jennifer and Alyssa McDonald; very special sister-in-law, LuAnn McDonald; dear friend, Bill Chapman, who made Bernie's life so much easier after his accident. Bernie was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Mickey McDonald.