W. Leo Karr

W. Leo Karr

W. Leo Karr 79, of  18 Meadowbrook Drive, passed away  Sunday (August 29, 2010) at Strong  Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

Born in North Hornell,  September 16, 1930, the son of Wilson B. and Maude I. Shafer Karr,   he had resided in Almond and Hornell for several years prior to moving to Arkport in 1963. He was a graduate of Avoca High School and received his Associates degree from the State University of New York at Alfred. He had been a salesman at the former Elsenheimer Chevrolet, and later as a Senior Engineer Technician at the New York State Department of Transportation in Hornell.

Leo proudly served his country as a member of the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict. He continued his loyalty to his country as an active member of the  American Legion. He served as Commander of the Arkport, Steuben County, and 7^th District Legion .In addition, he served as Department Vice Commander of New York State. He held many other positions and committee appointments within the Legion. He was honored to receive Lifetime membership and a citation from the Arkport Legion for fifty years of dedicated service. Leo was named District Legionnaire of the Year in 2001.   He was also a member of the Hornell Moose Lodge, the Hornell VFW,  the Legion Past Commander’s Club, and the Civil Service Employees Union (CSEA).  Leo was a member of Our Lady Of The Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church in Hornell. Leo will be sorely missed by all those who depended upon his leadership and knowledge.

He was an avid reader, with a special interest in history and World War 11. He also had many other diverse interests including classic American cars, military aircraft and US naval ships. He traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada, as well as trips to China, Italy, and France.  A special highlight was a 2008 visit to Hawaii and Pearl Harbor with his son, Berry, followed by a week aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, sailing from Hawaii to San Diago.

He took great pride in his family, home, and garden, and was a notoriously reckless card player; he enjoyed demolishing family members at euchre on a regular basis.   

He was predeceased by his parents, and  his sister, Janice LeClair (Norman).

He is survived by his wife, Angelina Orologio Karr, whom he married February 23, 1957, his daughters, Marianne Vanderwerff (Marten) of Chappaqua, Kelly (Patrick) Sullivan of Ft. Collins, Colorado, Tracy (Robert) Dreiling of Parker, Colorado, his sons, Barry (Christine) Karr of Buffalo and Steven (Young-Hee) Karr of New York City, his sister, Arlyss Domagala of Webster, 10 grandchildren, Benjamin Vanderwerff, Leah Vanderwerff, Alex Vanderwerff, Haley Karr, Nicole Karr, Christopher Sullivan, Daniel Sullivan, Kelsey Sullivan, Sydney Dreiling and Kayla Karr, his sister-in-law, Rose Marie (Felix) Natoli, and his brothers- in-law, Vincent (Sandi) Orologio, Biagio (Barbara) Orologio, Gioacchino Orologio ,  as well as several nieces & nephews.

To send a remembrance to the family, please visit www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com. The family is being assisted by Gerald R. Brown, Director.

The family will be present to receive friends on Friday from 4 PM until 7 PM , including a American Legion Service at 6:30 PM  at the Robertson Funeral Home. 354 Canisteo Street, Hornell.  Friends are invited to meet the family at St. Ann’s Church, Erie Ave. in Hornell on Saturday at 10 AM when Leo’s Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Arkport Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the attention of : Katie Bresnan, Cardiac Care Unit/ Strong Memorial Hospital, 300 East River Road, Suite 202, Rochester, NY 14627. Checks should be designated to the Cardiac Care Unit noting, “In Memory of W. Leo Karr.”