George Eugene Bedore, 87, of Niagara Falls, NY passed away on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at Buffalo General Hospital of heart failure with his daughters by his side. Born in Marmora, Ontario Canada on May 25, 1935, he was the son of the late Gordon and Delphine (Foley) Bedore.
George was a lifelong resident of Niagara Falls, NY moving from Canada at the age of 5. He attended Sacred Heart School and North Junior High School. On June 15, 1957 he married Flora Rose Cristofanelli at Sacred Heart Church in Niagara Falls, NY. Rose, the love of his life, predeceased him on October 27, 2015. George and Rose enjoyed traveling to Disney World in Florida, Bronson, MO, Dollywood, TN, and Reading, PA; camping at Sandhurst, Letchworth and Allegany State Parks as well as spending time at the family cottage in Canada. But most cherished by George were his girls and their families who meant everything to him. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
George played football, competed in roller skate dancing, and earned metals for his swimming ability during his high school years, but what he was most proud of was earning his Eagle Scout badge partaking in building a chapel at the Northern Lights Boy Scout Camp in NY. Throughout his life, George was employed at Niagara Welding & Boiler Works, South Avenue Coal Company, New York Central Railroad Company, Union Carbide, and Hooker/Occidental Chemical Corporation which he retired from after 32 years in 1997.
Being mechanically inclined, George loved his cars, often seen many times under the hood and underneath them, or showcasing one of his cars at various car shows throughout the area. Earlier in life, he drag raced at Niagara Dragstrip and was a Starter at Ransomville Speedway and the annual Niagara Falls Soap Box Derby. He enjoyed spending time with numerous friends at Jonfres and the Village Gate in Niagara Falls and visiting various area garages, especially that of his best friend, Tony Casero. He looked forward to the challenge of anything breaking so he could fix it and often saved the spare parts until something else broke. George loved watching football especially the Buffalo Bills and any type of stock-car racing.
George is survived by his three daughters Pamela (Joseph) Casero, Niagara Falls NY, Donna (Dean) Baldassaro, Lewiston NY, and Sandra (Steve) Mayes of Grand Island NY; seven grandchildren Adam (Sara) Rivers, Eddie Joe (Amanda) Todino, Joseph (Margie) Casero, Sarah (Fiancé Anthony Miano) Rivers, George (Cristina) Todino, Jeffrey Casero and Deanna (Fiancé Mark Montes) Todino, step-grandchildren Christina (Chris) Berak and Amanda (Gregory) Tarnowski; ten great grandchildren Brayden and Brielle Rivers, Gianni and Dominic Todino, Aiden and Gianna Casero, Callen, Kenadie and Raegan Voak, and Coletta Todino; his brothers and sisters, Joseph (Reda) Bedore, Eileen (late David) Fleck, Vincent (late MaryLou) Bedore, Janice (late Brian) O’Donnell, sister-in-law Emma Kotlarz and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by brothers- and sister-in-laws, Anthony Cristofanelli, Mary (late Russell) Daniels and Vincent Cristofanelli.
Visitation will be on Monday April 10th from 3 – 7 PM at the M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY where funeral services will begin on Tuesday April 11th at 9:30 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM at St. Vincent De Paul at St. Leo’s Church, 2748 Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY. Interment in St. Joseph Cemetery, Niagara Falls, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial offerings may be made to the Niagara County SPCA. Visit www.mjcoluccifuneralchapel.com for online guest register.
All WNY is made possible thanks to coffee and sleep deprivation.
We appreciate your readership. We like money, too.
