David James Kulesza, 56 years old and a resident of Avon, N.Y., departed life as we know it on Sunday, July 1, 2012 in Strong Memorial Hospital. He had been a patient in-residence at the hospital since January 2012. He was in the Heart Transplant Program there after being diagnosed with a congenital heart condition in his late 40’s. David grew up in Adams, N.Y. where he graduated from South Jefferson High School in 1974. He graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor’s Degree from SUNY at Geneseo. Dave was previously married to the former Lisa Grieco Smith. After college graduation he worked for many years at the Rochester Airport as a bartender where he loved to discuss politics with his friends and customers! David then worked as a laborer for the State of New York until his health deteriorated.

We will always remember Dave for his love of music, especially playing guitar and writing music. He also enjoyed camping, going to the beach, and doing anything that included the great outdoors. He loved his friends at Sundance Books in Geneseo where he worked on a part-time basis for many years.

David is survived by his father Edward Kulesza, his brother and sister-in-law Gary and Helen Kulesza with their children Brittany and Gary, all from Watertown, N.Y.; his sister Cheryl Trebi and her husband Tom and nephew Daniel Trebi of Virginia Beach, VA; and his nephew Eric Symonds of Charlotte, NC. His mother Virginia Slack Kulesza died in 2006. He was also preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Ruth and Sherwoord Slack and paternal grandparents John and Mary Kulesza.

On Thursday, July 5th at 1315 Marra Drive in Watertown there will be a celebration of David’s life from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. Donations can be made in David’s name to Strong Memorial Hospital, 7-3400 Education Fund, c/o Annette Grindle, 601 Elmwood Ave., Box 619-734, Rochester, N.Y. 14642 or Hospice of Jefferson County.

There will be another celebration of David’s life scheduled in Geneseo, N.Y. for his family and friends to be announced at a later time. Donations can be made in David’s name to the address given above or to Hospice of the Greater Rochester area.

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