Rossiter William Sentiff

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 July 2023 at 6:13 pm

American flagLYNDONVILLE – Rossiter William Sentiff passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, July 8, 2023.

He was born February 9, 1926, the youngest of five children of Martha (Ledertherl) and Joseph Sentiff of Rochester, NY.

Ross had an incredible work ethic, loved the land, his country and his family. He was a life-long farmer who settled in Lyndonville on Angling Road in the 1960s. He employed a number of high school students over the years and enjoyed their return visits to the farm where he always felt, and hoped, he had given them a good start in their successful careers. His best fatherly advice: always tell the truth.

As a young man, he enjoyed his summers on Manitou Beach, played tennis and began his love affair with boating. In his early years, he enjoyed sailing on Lake Ontario with his family and, in his later years, enjoyed traveling with his wife. A veteran of WWII, one of their most memorable trips was to Normandy and Omaha Beach. Ross had a great sense of humor, enjoyed a gentle prank here and there, as well as a good joke, often crying his way through a punchline he found particularly amusing. He had an incredible sweet tooth, never meeting a dessert he didn’t like. Ross led out a long, well-lived life on the farm he established and loved.

He was predeceased by his wife, Martha (Dodd) Sentiff in 2006; and three siblings, Harry (Christine) Sentiff, Bill (Shirley) Sentiff and Carol (Robert) Doyle.

He is survived by his three children, Patricia (Mark) Calley, Bruce (Margaret) Sentiff and Anita (Daniel) Gildea; sister, Marge Sentiff; sister in-law, Jane Everhart. He was the proud grandfather of Kyle Sentiff, Renae Sentiff, Molly Gildea and Maggie Gildea; and uncle to many nieces and nephews.

His memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 29 at 11 a.m. at the Lyndonville Presbyterian Church, 107 N. Main St., Lyndonville, NY 14098.

If you wish to honor his memory, the family asks that you plant something beautiful in his name. Arrangements are in the care of Cooper Funeral Home, 215 W. Center St., Medina. Share condolences at www.cooperfuneralhome.com.