Obituary of Nicholas A. Rossello

Rev. Nicholas A. Rossello, age 86, of Lockport, NY passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 12, 2016 at Mercy House of the Southern Tier in Endicott, NY. He was surrounded by friends and family. Father Rossello was born in Endicott, NY to Theresa (DeSanta) and John Rossello. He graduated from Union Endicott High School, Broome Community College and Canisius College where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree. He then attended Our Lady of Angels Seminary at Niagara University and was ordained in St. Joseph's New Cathedral on March 12, 1960 by the Most Rev. Joseph A. Burke. He celebrated his first Mass at his home parish, St. Anthony of Padua in Endicott, NY. During his priestly career, he served as administrator on the Missionary Apostolate at St. John of the Cross in Whiteville, NY, and Immaculate Conception Church, East Bethany, NY. As associate pastor, he served at St. James, in Jamestown, NY, and Holy Cross, in Buffalo, NY. He also served as teacher of Religion and Chemistry at Cardinal Mindszenty High School in Dunkirk, NY. His first pastor-ship of seventeen years was at Our Lady of Loreto, in Falconer, NY. He then served as pastor of St. Joseph Church in Lockport, NY for eleven years until his retirement to Pastor Emeritus in June of 2001. Father Rossello was a Life Member of the Knights of Columbus and served as Chaplain of the Knights of Dunkirk. He loved flying and was a member of the Priest Pilots' Association for more than 35 years. He also enjoyed many other sports including golf, fishing, hunting, and even skiing in his younger years. His time in retirement gave him the opportunity to travel which included trips to Italy and Sicily. Father Rossello also spent much of his retirement filling in where needed saying Masses at local parishes including Odd Fellows Rebekah Home and Our Lady of Good Council. He is survived by his brother-in-law Edward Bernhauer, nephew Edward Bernhauer, wife Brenda, grandnephew, Lucas, grandniece Melanie, all of Endwell, NY, and an aunt, Dorothy DeSanta of Phoenix, AZ, and many cousins in Cortland, NY and Italy. He was predeceased by his parents, Theresa (DeSanta) and John Rossello, and his sister Genevieve Bernhauer. Visitation will be held at the St. Joseph Oratory at All Saints Church, 391 Market Street, Lockport, 14094-2823. Times for visitation will be from 3 to 7 pm on Friday, June 17th with the parish Mass celebrated at 7 pm. Visitation will again take place at St. Joseph Oratory on Saturday, June 18th from 9:30 to 10:30 am. The Mass of Christian Burial, which will be celebrated by Bishop Richard J. Malone, will take place at 10:30 am on Saturday, June 18th, also at the St. Joseph Oratory, with a luncheon to follow in the church hall. Burial will be on Monday, June 20th at 1pm, in Calvary- St.Patrick Cemetery, in Johnson City. Following the burial, the family will receive friends at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 701 West Main Street, Endicott, NY 13760, from 2 pm to 4 pm with a memorial mass at 4:30 pm. A reception dinner will follow the mass in the church hall. Memorials may be made in the honor of Father Nicholas Rossello's memory to Mercy House of the Southern Tier, 212 North McKinley Ave., Endicott, NY 13760.