December 21, 2020, surrounded by his loving family. Pat is predeceased by his siblings, Rosemarie Moranz, Josephine Belluscio Rev. Angelo Bovenzi, CSB. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Lena "Sadie" (Contreras) Bovenzi; children, Dominick Bovenzi, Lou (Sandy) Bovenzi Mary (Tod) Lansberry; grandchildren, Lorraine Watson, Andy (Camellia) Custer, Ashley (Victor) Tompkins, Malory (Tom Nocula) Lansberry, Patrick Bovenzi Cody (Alyssa) Lansberry; 10 great-grandchildren; sister Margaret Romei; several nieces, nephews, cousins dear friends. Pat served overseas in the Marine Corps 1st Marine Division during the Korean Conflict. Per NYS regulations all guests are required to wear masks and hand sanitize at the funeral home and church. Pat's life story will be shared during his visitation, Monday, December 28th, 3-7 PM at the funeral home, 1411 Vintage Lane (Between 390 Long Pond Rd.). His Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, December 29th, 10AM at St. Jude the Apostle Church, 4100 Lyell Rd. His entombment in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Veteran's Outreach Center, 459 South Ave., Rochester, NY 14620 in Pat's memory. Click here to sign Pat's guest book Pat lived to be 91 years old, born on October 7, 1929 to immigrant parents, Dominick from Pignataro Italy and Jennie from Caltinasetta, Sicily. He grew up in a very close-knit Italian American community, full of an extremely rich collection of Aunts, Uncles and cousins. He freely and lovingly passed on these traditions to his family. The Bovenzi household is a very warm and welcoming place to be. Pat grew up on the west side of Rochester attending Holy Apostles grammar school then on to Aquinas institute, where he loved boxing in the famous mission bouts and playing center on the Aquinas football team. During these days he had several childhood pals that all grew up in the neighborhood and walked to school together. The pals eventually decided to start a baseball team and called themselves the 'Ravens'. Since the organized little leagues didn't exist, they challenged other teams formed in the neighborhoods. They actually had to clear out the overgrown grass in the empty lots that they played in and place rocks that they could find for bases, before the game. They used one softball over and over, and taped it up as necessary, as times and money were tight. The guys - they refer to each other as the 'gang', have stayed together ever since, growing apart at times for military service and jobs, but always coming back together. Their families would get together for a yearly picnic and enjoy their children and reminisce about fun times. In fact, they would meet once a week for coffee at various diners and have some very 'spirited' conversations! The democrat and chronicle wrote an article about their lifelong friendships several years ago, along with a visit to the Princess diner where they were meeting at the time. They took some great photos of the guys and also took a photo of all the gang at home plate in the field that they used to play in! Within those neighborhood connections and friendships, Pat met his future bride to be and truly the love and absolute treasure of his life, Lena Contreras. Lena also lived in the neighboring area and their families knew each other, they were close knit Italian American communities. Pat began his work career at Eastman Kodak and retired after approximately 35 years as a Production Supervisor in the Camera works - injecting molding, lens manufacturing division located on Plymouth Avenue, eventually moving to Kodak Apparatus division on Elmgrove Road. Pat and Lena began dating seriously when they were both 17, when Pat first started working at Kodak. Lena also worked at Kodak on State Street as a transcriber. It was during this time that Pat decided that he wanted to enlist in the Marine Corps. He enlisted in March, 1948. Pat served a total of 4 years. His first deployment after training was in the Asiatic Pacific area, Guam, from July 1948 to March 1950 with the 1st tank Battalion, 1st Marine division. From Guam he was ordered on a secret combat mission that entailed the assault and landing at Inchon, Korea and eventually the capture and securing of Seoul Korea. He then participated in the Wonsan-Hungnam - Chosin campaign (Frozen Chosin) and operations against enemy forces in South and Central Korea until August, 1951. Pat then returned stateside to complete his service in a Marine training group and was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant, from Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, NC in March, 1952. Pat received the Korean Service medal with 3 stars. Presidential Unit Citation with 1 star. Pat and Lena continued correspondence through Pat's military involvement and knew that they were destined to be lifelong partners. Pat returned home on leave in September 1951 and they were married on September 22, in Holy Apostles church on Lyell Avenue, Rochester, NY. Lena is the absolute love of his life for 69 years and as I am writing this, I am unable to find words to truly describe the love, devotion and constant show of affection that was so much a part of the fabric of their being. Pat was an extremely caring, strong, guiding light for his family. He is truly a husband and father that put the needs and care of his family above all else, and willing to sacrifice his own comforts for the needs of his loved ones. His home is a welcoming respite that always includes a warm hug, cool (or hot!) drink and good hearted conversation with many jokes and antidotes thrown in along the way. Pat returned to Kodak after the Marine Corps and spent most of his career working 'swing-shifts' which can be extremely challenging. However he always made sure that he attended and participated in all or most of his family's special events and functions. He sometimes worked a second or third job to make sure he provided for the needs of his family. During times when the children's needs grew and I can attest as one of his sons, that he was there physically and emotionally for any of his children at any time for any reason. He was a truly remarkable man in every way. His life is a humble testament to what fatherhood is truly meant to be. Pat and Lena had 3 children, Dominick, Lou, and Mary- 6 grandchildren and 10 great grand children. Pat coached little league baseball for several years through the 40 and 1 program in Rochester, NY, even while maintaining his varying work schedule and all of life's interruptions with a growing family. He was the best fishing and hunting partner that anyone could ever have. He would welcome any opportunity to be with his kids or grandkids in a fishing or hunting outing and even helping them to win a tournament. He coached one of his baseball teams to an all-star team playoff in Cooperstown, NY, where several other teams around the state completed. He was an 'all-star' father. He loved to socialize with his friends and family. At parties, he and Lena would be one of the first on the dance floor. He had a welcoming presence and had many friends. Any event at their home was full of laughter, great conversation and discussion, and many, many hugs. When Kodak moved the Apparatus division to Gates, NY he and Lena joined the St. Jude parish and established a wonderful group of church friends over the many years. Through the church he joined the Knights of Columbus charitable organization that provide Catholic values based help for those in need. He rose through the ranks through his dedication of the organization's mission to helping those in need, to become Color Corp Commander; organizing and leading tributes for events such as funerals and special religious events such as a visit from a dignitary of the church or anytime special honor is required. Pat helped to kick-off an annual Knights of Columbus golf tournament to help raise money for a chosen charity. He helped extensively in the organization and procuring raffle prizes with many local businesses. When they saw Pat coming they knew he was there for a donation for the tournament and to help raise as much money as possible. As a result of his enthusiastic efforts over the years, he became the tournament chairman and the Knights council decided to name the yearly tournament after him, "Patrick F. Bovenzi, Knights of Columbus Annual Charity Golf Tournament". He was an extremely dedicated member of the Knights and spent many hours over the years helping to organize events, fundraise or provide support to those in need. He had developed many cherished friendships through this work. Once Pat retired from Kodak, he worked part time as a bus driver for Spencerport School district. He drove for a few years. Being retired and only working part time, he had more time to share his love of helping others in a larger way. He became a meals on wheels volunteer and helped to deliver meals to the homebound for over 20 years. He recently received a formal recognition of his service. He enjoyed visiting with the folks and would stay and share in some conversation and companionship and if the occasion arises, singing happy birthday to a shut in while delivering a much needed meal. He was a very active, friendly and social man. He welcomed opportunities to help others if he could and got involved in many volunteer efforts. Pat was the first one to teach his kids and grandkids how to throw a curve ball, how to use just the right bait for the trout derby, the 'right' way to hold and swing the baseball bat, hold and swing the golf club, how to load and shoot a shotgun, field dress a deer, and even get out the power auger and ice fishing tip-ups and go out to the middle of frozen Sodus lake and catch perch and pike, and he absolutely loved it. He especially loved going to the cabin in the Nunda area that was built with family love, to hunt or just spend time with his family and dear friends. I can go on and on. He loved nothing more than to spend time with his family. He was a fiercely devoted and loyal father, grandfather, uncle and friend. To his family he was a rock of support. When times got a little rough over the years, he would do whatever it took to help out family and sometimes friends, through their own hardships without judgment. His life was exemplary in that he chose to live his with an unwavering devotion to his wife and family and an extremely strong faith with humility, integrity and love.