Obituary of Joseph M. Berta

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.