Obituary of John A. Levato

John A. Levato peacefully passed away surrounded by family, on November 15, 2024, at the age of 79.  He was the son of Anthony and Mary Levato.  His survivors are his devoted wife, Peg, son Nickolas and his wife, Heather; son Michael and his wife, Lynne, and their three children, Tyler, Ariella and Elliana; his sister, Linda Niles, niece, Molly Niles, nephew, Rick Niles and his three children; and several cousins.  Calling hours will be held at Harloff Funeral Home, 803 S. Washington St., East Rochester, NY, on Friday, November 22, 2024, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.  There will be a memorial service immediately following the close of the calling hours.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of John to the UMMC Wound Care Center. Donations should include John’s name and be mailed to Rochester Regional Health, 330 Monroe Ave., Suite 400, Rochester, NY 14607.

John grew up in the Village of East Rochester, in a loving family who gave him strong values and ideals.  It is here where John’s love for sports began.  He learned the importance of being a part of something larger than himself, when he played on both the basketball and football teams.  While he played for the sheer love of playing these sports, being a part of undefeated teams made it all the sweeter.  Though he didn’t know then, these experiences were laying the groundwork for the man he would become.

After high school, John went to SUNY Cortland and ultimately to Cornell, where he earned his Master’s in Biology.  His interest in science, led to his becoming a Biology teacher, and his love for sports, to also coaching football, for many years at Greece Olympia High School.  He loved being both.  His goal was to create ways for all his kids to achieve success, both in the classroom and on the football field, while interjecting his sense of humor in the process.  

As life’s demands led John down a different path, he entered the business world.  His hard work, and his reputation for being a man of his word, earned him the respect of members of the community.  One of his innovative endeavors was the introduction of Mini-Storages, to the residents of Monroe County, when he and his father built and established the first facilities of their kind in the 1970s.  

Along the way, John made many friends whom he treasured, from his buddies on fishing trips in and out of the country, to his good pals at the Dunkin Donut coffee hour.  John was a “people person”, who was always there to offer help to others.

Like anyone else, John experienced his share of ups and downs, but his unwavering belief in the importance of family was his guiding principle.  His daily lifeblood was his steadfast commitment to his wife, sons, and grandchildren. He cherished being a grandfather and had a unique way of connecting with his grandkids, often channeling his inner child to create unforgettable moments. From playful games like guessing how many coins were in Grandpa’s pocket to teaching them the proper use of “fuhgeddaboutit,” he found joy in sharing laughter and life lessons.

John’s love for his family was always evident in his actions. No matter how busy or stressed he was, he made it his top priority to attend every one of his sons’ sporting events, cheering them on from the sidelines. 

When younger, John probably never thought cooking would play such a key role in his life, but as a Dad, he became a true short-order cook in the morning, by making his kids whatever they wanted for breakfast!  Family always came first and of key importance was for all of us to connect at the end of the day at the dinner table.  Always considerate, and knowing his wife worked long hours as a dedicated high school counselor, John showed his devotion to us all by often taking on the additional role of chef on school nights.  

Every Sunday, John brought the family together around the dinner table for a traditional Sunday sauce, a ritual that embodied his belief in the importance of family traditions. Even after all that cooking, these dinners were often topped off with one of his homemade chocolate cakes, a sweet reminder of his love and care for those around him.

For John, tradition and supporting one another were the foundation of what it meant to be family. Christmas, in particular, was when his love for his family truly shone, bringing everyone together in celebration and unity. He was a man who never gave up, stood by his word, and deeply valued those who shared his dedication to loyalty, love, and mutual support. His strength of character, sense of humor, and heartfelt devotion to his family will forever remain an inspiration.  

John, you mastered the arts of mentoring and nurturing, imparting strong values and guidance, while at the same time, managing to make the journey to adulthood fun for your children.  To us, you are larger than life…you are our hero.  We love you with all our hearts, we miss you every day, and we know that we are truly blessed for the unconditional love you gave to us and all the wonderful years we have shared.  

Your spirit is within us… now and always.

Alla Famiglia!