Gerald D. Motto

Gerald D. Motto, 80, of 5099 West Lake Road, Dunkirk, passed away on Aug. 25, 2020, surrounded by family in the home that he built. 

Known by family as “Mike,” he was born Jan. 2, 1940, in Sheridan, N.Y., the youngest of 16 children born to the late George S. and Alvina C. (Eckert) Motto. A lifelong resident of Dunkirk, Jerry graduated from Industrial High School in 1959. Jerry was a longtime member of the West Town of Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department where he served as chief from 1976-77. Jerry retired in 2006 as an agricultural mechanic. He started his career at the former Van Scoter Farm and Pagano Tractor Inc. and lastly at Larry Romance and Son in Sheridan, N.Y. Prior to being a mechanic, he was a butcher at the former A. Sam & Sons farm and grocery, where he met his wife, Janice.

He belonged to the First United Methodist Church of Fredonia and was a member of the Collins Draft Horse, Ox, and Pony Club. An avid enthusiast of horses, farming and the “old west,” Jerry enjoyed spending time with his family and friends in the out-doors. He loved going on wagon trail rides with the horse club, or around his own farm. He also enjoyed working with his hands and building and fixing things such as tractors, furniture, wagons, bob sleds, and lawn decorations. Jerry loved working on the small hobby farm where he lived since 1968.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Janice (Keith) Motto, whom he married Septe. 17, 1960; four children: Janine Motto (Andrew Foremiak) of Wheatfield, N.Y., Christopher (Sherry) Motto of Nobelsville, Ind., Glenn (Samantha) Motto of Altamont, N.Y., and Sharon (Brian) Ardillo of Dunkirk, N.Y.; and his eleven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He is further survived by two sis-ters: his twin, Geraldine (Louis) Galafaro of Dallas, Texas and Marguerite “Peg” (Ignatious) Gould of Rochester, N.Y.; along with several nieces and nephews.Besides his parents, Jerry was predeceased by his paternal grandparents Samuel G. and Ottille (Wind) Motto; a daughter Laurie M. (Anthony) Faso of Fredonia, N.Y.; a grand-son, Justin D. Moore of Angola, N.Y.; and brothers: Charles (Dorothy) Reading, Valentine (Mary) Reading, Thomas (Lucille) Motto, Walter Motto, Richard Reading, Herman “Pete” Motto, and George W. Motto; and sisters: Harriet (William) Noris, Doris (John) Falkner, Aileen (Louis) Barone, Catherine “Kitty” (Francis) Hodges, Betty (George) Jackson, and Lois Motto.

Following the guidelines and protocols administered by the governor of New York, Relatives and friends may call Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., at the R. Mackowiak Funeral Home Inc, 56 E. Doughty St. Dunkirk.Funeral services will be held Friday at 10:00AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to West Town of Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department or Chautauqua County Hospice.