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Falvo Funeral Home - Rochester

1395 North Goodman Street

Rochester, New York

Joseph Berta Obituary

Berta, Joseph M.

Henrietta: Suddenly after a brief illness October 12, 2017. Predeceased by his parents, Andrew and Jeanne Berta; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Vincent and Anna Faggiano; brother-in-law, Vittorio Cavalli; sister-in-law, Kathleen Faggiano. Survived by his adoring wife of 20 years, Susan; daughter, Michele Berta; step-daughter, Sondra Imperati (Michael Korn); sister, Virginia Cavalli; brother-in-law, Vincent Faggiano; several loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews; family members in NY and CA and his extended family at Hobart and William Smith College.

Joe was a native of Santa Barbara California where he received a BA and MA degree in music from The University of California, Santa Barbara doing post graduate work in Vienna Austria. He worked as a professor of music at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva NY since 1971 teaching music history and private lessons in woodwinds. He has served as an adjudicator at music festivals for the state of New York since 1972. Joe has given many solo clarinet performances throughout the United States and Europe, including solo concertos with the Rochester and Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestras. An author of numerous articles, he has received a Pillsbury Foundation Scholarship Grant as well as two separate research grants from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. In addition to his work as a musician Joe was an active member of the surrounding community serving as Chairman of the Board of Geneva Regional Health System, President of Rochester Lodge #2270 and NY State Trustee for the Order Sons of Italy in America, District Governor of Rotary District #712, Noble Grand for Toronto Lodge #8 of the International Order of Oddfellows and as a member of the Parish Council and Finance Committees at St. Marianne Cope Parish to name a few. His honors include being named Citizen of the Year in Geneva NY and Volunteer of the Year, Geneva United Way. He and his beloved wife Susan loved travel to Maine, Chautauqua Institute, and spending time with their dear friends and family especially their great nieces and nephews.

Calling hours, Monday and Tuesday 4-8 at Falvo Funeral Home, 1395 N. Goodman St. On Wednesday please meet the family at St. Marianne Cope Parish at Guardian Angels Church, 2061 E. Henrietta Rd. for his Funeral Mass at 11 AM. Interment, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Special thank you to the doctors and nurses at Strong Memorial 3-1800 ICU for their loving care of Joseph.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Rochester Democrat And Chronicle on Oct. 15, 2017.

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Clayton Wilson, oboe, and Joe Berta, Clarinet, rehearsing at the bear Valley Music Festival summer of 1973 or 1974.

Philip Wilson

February 4, 2020

Joe was a student at UCSB in the 60s. My father, Clayton Wilson, was a professor of Music there, teaching oboe and other woodwinds. The attached photo shows my father and Joe rehearsing at the Bear Valley Music Festival in the summer of 1973 or 1974. The pianist, if I remember and spell her name correctly, is Marilyn Truchon Uusitalo. I enjoyed turning pages for her during their performance of the Mozart Piano Quintet K. 452. Joe was a good friend of the family, a wonderful guy, and my father always remarked on his natural and musical vibrato, which many clarinet players traditionally avoided . If any family or friend wish to contact me, I may have other old photos with Joe in them. [email protected]

Daniel McGowan

October 20, 2017

Joe and I taught music and economics in Vienna in the fall of 1980. It was a beautiful way to meld two disciplines that are not often thought of together. We remained good friends for over 40 years. Monika and I shall miss his smile.

Llewellyn Lafford

October 18, 2017

My family was so sad to hear of Joe's sudden passing. My father, Lindsay (1912-2014), was a colleague of Joe's at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in the 1970's and would fondly recall both their time as fellow professors and their association as the Berta-Lafford Duo. Besides local recitals in upstate New York, they appeared on tour in Florida and California and produced an LP record of their work. Dad spoke in the highest regard of Joe, both as a fellow musician and as a friend, a fact I was able to share directly with Joe at the Colleges just a few months ago. Joe told me what great memories of the time that brought back.
We will so terribly miss Joe's warmth, wisdom and talent.

Keith Osier

October 16, 2017

From the Service Team at Cortese Ford you have our deepest condolences. Joe was always a pleasure to deal with and I enjoyed my talks with him about his career. He was considered a friend not just a customer at our Dealership.. you will be missed Joe!
Our Thoughts are with your family

Vivian Harlin (Cavalli)

October 16, 2017

My fondest memories of my Uncle Joe was when he would dress up as Santa Claus and drive me and my brothers around neighborhoods with pretty lights and decorations on Christmas Eve. He always came to visit as I was growing up. He made me laugh and had a smile that was happy and full of warmth. I will cherish and always remember the good times we all had. Loving memories of Uncle Joe will always be in my heart.

Jeananne Ralston

October 16, 2017

I will miss Joe. He was always smiling and very good natured. He made me feel welcomed and at home in the music department at HWS. My deepest sympathies to his family.

October 16, 2017

I was surprised and saddened by the news of Joe's sudden passing. I was a colleague of Joe's for over thirty years at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. I always enjoyed the times I worked with Joe on different Colleges' initiatives. He was a very thoughtful and pleasant colleague. And he brought wonderful music to our campus. My thoughts are with his family during this sad time.

Richard Salter

October 16, 2017

I am very sorry for your loss. I worked with Joe at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. He was always a thoughtful and caring colleague. He will be missed.

October 16, 2017

So very Sorry to hear your loss!

Thoughts and prayers are with you

Leo Butera

Canzoneri

October 15, 2017

We are sadden to hear of the lose of your step-dad Sondra and Michael! He sounds like he was an amazing man, and must have been a good step-dad too! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family! Love Aunt Judy and Uncle Lou ❣

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Memorial Events
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Oct

16

Calling hours

4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Falvo Funeral Home - Rochester

1395 North Goodman Street, Rochester, NY 14609

Oct

17

Calling hours

4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Falvo Funeral Home - Rochester

1395 North Goodman Street, Rochester, NY 14609

Oct

18

Funeral Mass

11:00 a.m.

St. Marianne Cope Parish at Guardian Angels Church

2061 E. Henrietta Rd., NY

Funeral services provided by:

Falvo Funeral Home - Rochester

1395 North Goodman Street, Rochester, NY 14609

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