Mr. Jerome A. Puzzilla, age 91, a longtime resident of Frankfort, passed away on Monday afternoon, November 15, 2004 at the Mohawk Valley Nursing Home in Ilion. He was born on July 19, 1913 in Frankfort, a son of the late Anthony & Angela (Capitano) Puzzilla and was a Graduate of Frankfort High School, Class of 1934. On October 8, 1938, Jerome joined in marriage with Nancy Plano at St. Mary's Church in Frankfort, a union of nearly 47 years. Nancy passed away on September 24, 1985. Jerome later joined in marriage with Rosalie (Loiacano) Cushman on May 29, 1992 at St. Mary's Church in Frankfort. Rose passed away on April 29, 1998. Jerome was a World War II Veteran, having proudly served our country with the United States Army Air Force, with much of his duty focusing within the Flight Tower. He was honorably discharged On February 15, 1946 in Fort Bragg North Carolina with the 302nd Army Air Force Base Unit. Upon relief from active duty he held the rank of Corporal and was the recipient of an American Theatre Service Medal, a Good Conduct Medal, and a World War II Victory Medal. Jerome enjoyed being actively involved within the communities that he had lived. His working career began with Remington Arms in Ilion where he had worked as a foreman. He then worked with Met Life in Herkimer as an insurance agent. Following this he worked with Utica Chrysler Plymouth as a salesman. A known chef, he had also worked with Hennessey Service as a cook at the former Mohawk Data Sciences, along with preparing foods at the Utica Airport. Jerome had lived for quite some time in the Ithaca area where he was employed at Cornell University. It was there that he enjoyed working with the Statler Hotel School of Administration as a manager of the employee lounge. In 1988, this particular lounge was dedicated in his honor and named "Jerry's Joint." He retired from Cornell in 1991 as a chef after years of dedicated service. While in Ithaca, Jerome enjoyed membership with Knights of Columbus Council #277 of which he was a 3rd Degree member, and the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge #666 of Ithaca. He was a communicant of Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church in Frankfort, and was a Frankfort Fire Department Member Exempt, 27 years. He was an active member of the Frankfort Volunteer Fire Department and later was a member of the Frankfort Volunteer Firefighter's Benevolent Association. In 1940 he served the deaprtment with CO #3. He was also a member of the Frankfort American Legion Post #845, and thoroughly enjoyed his friends and the comraderie of the St. Francis Club of Frankfort. He was a member at one time of the Frankfort Fish & Game Club. He is survived by his beloved family, including three step daughters: Rose Marie Surace and her husband George of Camillus, Mayme Palumbo and her husband Paul of Frankfort, and Charlotte Capoccia and her husband Robert of New Hartford; sisters in law: Marie Puzzilla of Frankfort; Flora Plano of Frankfort, Nancy Plano of Frankfort, and Marie Giardino of Rochester; several loving step grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his brother: John "Puzze" Puzzilla, a sister Mamie Nurod, and infant sisters Rose and Mary Puzzilla, and a sister in law: Carm Plano, and brothers in law: Carl, Frank, Jerome Plano, and Dominick Nurod. Funeral services will be held with full military honors on Thursday November 18, 2004 at 1:15 PM from the Enea Family Funeral Home, Main Street Between Frankfort & Ilion, where prayers will be offered, and at 2:00 PM from Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church, Frankfort Street, Frankfort where a Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated by Rev. Alfred A. Lamanna, Pastor Emeritus. Interment will take place in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Frankfort. Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours at the Enea Family Funeral Home on Thursday prior to the funeral service from 10:00 Am until the time of the services at 1:15 PM. In lieu of flowers, those wishing are asked to consider donations in Jerome's memory to Our Lady Queen of Apostle Church. Envelopes are available at the funeral home (894-8000). The family extends a warm thank you to the 3rd Floor Staff of the Mohawk Valley Nursing Home for the kindness extended. Members of the Frankfort American Legion will gather at the funeral home on Thursday (TBA) and members of the Frankfort Fire Department will gather in a body on Thursday at the funeral home (TBA). The St. Francis Society will gather at the funeral home on Thursday at 11:30 Am for a service. For directions to the funeral home, click the facilities link above.