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Adam DeSantis Obituary
Chili: On Nov 3, 2017. Predeceased by his son David; great-granddaughter Avery. Survived by his wife Arlene; children Sharon Rogers, Daniel DeSantis, Christine SaintOurs; brother Joseph (June) DeSantis; 6 grand & 4 great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews & cousins. Adam was a WWII Veteran.
Friends may call Tuesday 4-7 pm at James R. Gray Funeral Home, 1530 Buffalo Rd. Burial in Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Kindly consider the National Kidney Foundation in memory of Avery Frechette.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Adam DeSantis
Sponsored by James R. Gray Funeral Home.
Jean Given
November 20, 2017
Adam was a World II very close friend of my husband, Theron (Bill) Given. We always kept in touch with Adam all these years. As a matter if fact, I had an e-mail from Adam just before his passing. My husband, Bill, passed away in 2015. My thoughts and prayers are with all your family.
Karen Zilora
November 10, 2017
I just heard about Adam and am very sorry for your loss. I met him through Honor Flight and we continued to keep in touch.
I loved how he was not afraid of technology. I am very glad that I got to see him one last time at the benefit concert in Greece this summer.
Ken McBride
November 9, 2017
My deepest condolences to the DeSantis family.
I met Adam several years ago and taught chess with him at a few different schools such as Victor, Washington Irving (a school in Gates that no longer exists) and Seton as well as at a couple of libraries. Even though I saw myself as relatively experienced, there was almost always something new to be learned from watching him teach and interact with students.
Adam was a fantastic teacher but was an even better friend. He was always willing to help and usually did this with little or no fanfare. I consider it an honor that Adam was willing to spend time with me telling me stories, news, history, etc., but is truly humbling that he allowed me to consider him a friend.
Lynn Moulton
November 9, 2017
Our condolences to all of the DeSantis family at this difficult time. May happy memories help support you.
I am certain there are many kids that have grown up learning chess due to Adam's patience and I know they are better for having known him. Even though I don't play chess, I looked forward to seeing him in person or receiving emails about Honor Flight, chess games/players, and his WWII experience. He would talk with my husband about airplanes and always have a story to tell.
My son Calvin and I met Adam at the Chili Library chess club in the summer of 2011 when my son was 10 years old. Calvin had played chess at school and liked it and when I saw a newspaper ad for the club, I thought he might enjoy it. We made it there several times through the years and Adam and Fred were always supportive of the kids, no matter their age or chess level. Occasionally they had guest players come and do simuls with the kids. The guest players were young adults that had met Adam and Fred through the years and they wanted to give back to the younger chess players. The guest players may not have realized it, but they were following the role model that Adam and Fred had shown a love of chess and a desire to share it with others. It was, and is, a great experience for the kids and, of course, they always provided snacks that made it that much more fun.
My son continues to play chess at school in the chess club and with the chess team. He has participated in the Marchand Tournament since 2012 and Adam would always be there to check on him and the other kids that he knew from the Chili Library or the Rochester Chess Center. He would gently warn me to not push too hard and let my son determine for himself his level of chess interest and I've taken that parenting advice to heart in many ways :)
With caring thoughts,
Lynn & Bryan Moulton
Jason Lewis
November 8, 2017
Adam was a great man who was so amazing ..I knew him as a visitor to sprinkles ice cream who became a good friend anytime you needed to smile or laugh or just wanted to learn some history or Whatch a very good chess player you could count on Adam ..he would bring his grandson to hit golf balls with me and loved talking about his family I'm very proud to have known Adam and wish I was able to attend his service .He will be missed but always in are hearts because to know Adam was to know he always gave you a piece of it..
Lily Hoeflein
November 7, 2017
Adam was like a grandfather to me. Adam taught me how to play chess for the first time at the age of 8. He taught me how to think ahead so I can know what my apponent might do next. He also taught me that when others want to attack my king and queen I should always have a defense around me so I can fight back. Those words have helped me to become stronger in who I am now. Adam you have always been caring and kind to me and I will miss you dearly.
Michael Lionti
November 7, 2017
Adam was a tremendous friend to many, a long-time chess teacher and an incredibly active chess player. With his teaching and mentoring, he introduced literally thousands of young people in the Rochester area to the game of chess. Adam loved the game of chess and he loved sharing his love of the game. Over many years, Adam introduced and taught chess in many Rochester schools, libraries and essentially any place where a chess board could be set up. You might have found Adam teaching or playing a quick game of chess at the Wegmans cafe, Leaf and Bean coffee shop in Chili, one of the many sports gyms, and the list goes on and on. He was absolutely the biggest proponent of chess with the biggest heart the Rochester community have ever come to know. This is why Adam DeSantis was known also as "Mr. Chess".
Adam was also one of the most generous and kind-hearted people. I know that Adam donated money anonymously for chess player entry fees, USCF memberships, food at tournaments and chess books. He never wanted attention for all the good deeds he did for us and the Rochester community. Adam donated many things, and the biggest of those was his own time. He had time for everyone.
I will miss his friendship and the time we spent together talking at Wendys before going to the Community Chess Club on Wednesday nights. Adam had the best stories to tell, whether about WWII or people he's met. He absolutely loved just hanging out with all the players at the chess club. He was an amazing person, and he is irreplaceable. I will miss him!
Rest in Peace Adam.
My sincere condolences to Adam's family.
Bonny Hoeflein
November 7, 2017
"Grandpa Adam" was such a kind, generous, cheerful man. He was a real blessing to me and my children on Mondays when he taught them chess. Adam's selflessness and servanthood made him a true example of model citizen.
Lorraine Christie
November 7, 2017
For the past year our 6 year old grandson James has played chess at the Chili library and we will greatly miss Adam. Adam was a wonderful and patient man.
Lorraine Christie
November 7, 2017
For the past year our 6 year old grandson, James, has been playing chess at the Chili library and we will miss Adam greatly. Adam was a patient and wonderful man.
Michael Lionti
November 7, 2017
The Burkhard Family
November 6, 2017
Our family has known Adam for a few years through the chess club at the Chili Library. We're all very saddened to learn of his passing. A wonderfully kind and patient man, he taught us both about chess and having a good outlook on life. We will miss him dearly.
Scott Lewis
November 6, 2017
Adam DeSantis was my chess teacher ever since I was 6 years old. It was him who taught me all that he knew about chess until I was finally able to beat him at his own game. Adam was a good friend to me and my family and I will never forget him.
Igor & Yelena Nikolayev
November 6, 2017
The best that is in this great country, and what we take for granted for all that we owe people like Adam DeSantis. A modest and big-hearted hero lived among us. A real, pro-active man of true values. I met him and became friends with him thanks to his love for chess. He truly was a loving and caring Uncle for all of us too, here under the RCC roof. Who can count how many times Adam treated Sat Open players with big pizzas! We used to think we would have Adam forever
Of course I do not know much about his long life, but what I've known is enough to call it beautiful. Many have told and will tell again and again how honest, principled, kind, generous, open-minded, humorous and intellectually curious Adam was. How much fun each of us had with him, what a bright impact here and there he had on various people I'd like to emphasize in particular that he was a hero. And I'd like all the kids, he warmed with his love, to know and remember that. After all, Adam was so young when he landed in France on D-Day+12 His war stories always fascinated me. A great mission on young shoulders, coupled with funny episodes that could have happen only with our Adam. It's a pity I cannot write a book about his WWII time, but I hope I was a good listener. And sure The Honor Flight Rochester MI 37 to Washington, DC would not have been complete without Adam DeSantis on board.
His curiosity, at such an advanced age, was awesome! He never missed an opportunity to learn. In chess that involved not only interesting positions and great players. He wanted to know much more about the world of modern chess: federations, functioners, Fischer's mysteries, Kasparov's political fight, etc. Once he greately surprised me with his good knowledge about Russian mafia in the FIDE highest echelones. Truly, there are not many chess players who have even a remotest idea of the things Adam knew. Because he cared.
With special warmth, I remember how Adam was genuinely interested in my daughter, admired her academic achievements, sent her gifts. And every time we talked, he did not forget to ask about her. Adam is an amazing example of love for kids.
He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.
Our deepest condolences to Adam's family.
Bojeram, Shaheeven, Kaviyuthan Naathan
November 6, 2017
My hero and favorite uncle, I learn lot of from you. My deepest condolences and Rest In Peace.
Chris Raker
November 5, 2017
Our Favorite Uncle, and I speak for all of the Raker children.
Thomas Lampanaro
November 5, 2017
Mr. DeSantis had an enormous impact on me in the years that I attended the Chili Library's chess club. He inspired me to pursue my love of chess, and was the highlight of every meet with his sense of humor and considerate attitude. No matter how many kids showed up each week at the library he would be there to teach and encourage. Playing chess won't be the same without Mr. DeSantis.
Ryan Patalano
November 5, 2017
Adam taught me how to play chess and his enthusiasm for the game made me more enthusiastic to learn. He was very kind and generous and I always looked forward to going to his chess club meetings and learning from him. He will be missed
James F. Lawrence
November 5, 2017
I too am saddened by Adam's passing. He was my hero at the Chili gym. He often regaled me with war stories, especially about his time in France.He also amazed me with his proficency with his tablet and the always interestimg emails he'd send. Too, I'd run into him at the Chili library. What a vibrant, intellectually curious guy.
As you can imagine, he made quite an impression on me.
God bless.
Jim and Tammie Guerin
November 5, 2017
Our deepest condolences to Mr. DeSantis' family. He was always so kind and genuinely interested in our children as well as all children in our community. We will always remember how he generously shared his love for chess and volunteering many hours to teach others how to play. His kind and caring ways will be missed. Thank you for everything and rest in peace Mr. DeSantis.
Cathy (Faso) Milks
November 5, 2017
Chris, My son Mario & I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to you and your family at the passing of your dad. As you know, Mario went to the Chess Club at the Chili Library and your dad also visited him at the Chess Club at school. Mario learned a lot from him and he really enjoyed the chess club because of your dad. He will be greatly missed.
Fred Mellender
November 5, 2017
Adam taught chess to Rochester kids over the last 50+ years. He started chess clubs in schools, libraries, and recreation centers. His influence in the lives of so many kids cannot be overestimated. I assisted him in some of these clubs. I knew him as a kind and generous man. He taught me by his example and I will miss him greatly.
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