John Progno

PHELPS - John Progno age 82, died on Sunday (October 2, 2022) at DeMay Living Center with his family by his side.

Friends are invited to attend a funeral mass on Friday (October 14) at 10 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Phelps. Father Anthony Amato will officiate. Burial will follow in Resthaven Cemetery in Phelps.

It is requested that donations in memory of John be made to the Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program 5757 State Rt. 96 Farmington, NY 14425 or www.fltap.org

Born Ignazio Progno, he was John to most, JP, or Junior to those who knew him first. From early age John loved sports, horses, and being in charge! He was named All Scholastics in high school and was recruited to Miami University to play football. He was drafted into the Army for a few years and when he returned home he began his career training Thoroughbred Horses. It was at FingerLakes Race Track in Farmington, N.Y. where he met his wife, Dale Randall, when his horse won the race that Dale's business had sponsored. They were married for 44 years. John was one of the top leading trainers several years of his career. He supported his wife and two children, put his daughter, Danielle, through four years of college and taught his son, Christopher, the business of Horse Training.

Skiing, snowmobiling, and boating were some of his favorite hobbies, with a yearly vacations in Speculator, N.Y. at the Randall family cabin. He loved vintage cars and to sing, snap his fingers, and shuffle dance along to his favorite country songs. He courageously and lovingly took care of his wife, Dale, for 10 years when she fell terminally ill, turning over his Horse Training career to his son, Christopher. One of the things that made him smile the most was when his children, his nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews, and his grandchildren, Zach, Christina, and Natalie would call him or come visit him. He lived his life optimistically and without holding back! His was a full life and a good life!

He is survived by his daughter, Danielle Lindner of Kennett Square, Pa.; son, Christopher (Lisa Reed) Progno of Palmyra; grandchildren, Zachary, Christina and Natalie Lindner; sister, Jojo (Ronald) Zicari of Greece; brother, Mike (Marie) Progno of Spencerport; sisters-in-law, Sherry Wilkes of Phelps and Candy Jones (Jack Matthews) of Canandaigua; and brother-in-law, Ovid (Bobbie) Randall of Romulus

Predeceased by his wife, Dale Randall Progno; parents, Ignazio and Biagia Giallombardo Progno Sr.; sister, Lillian Sortino; and brother-in-law, Nick Sortino; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ovid and Betty Randall; brother-in-law, Donald Wilkes; and nephew, Randy Randall.

Funeral arrangements have been made with the Cheney Funeral Home 70 Main Street Phelps.