Obituary for George C. "Papa" Wilcox
Wilcox, George C. “Papa”
Beloved Patriarch to the Wilcox, Cummings, Corona families, a product of the 60’s and an activist, George’s true passion was his family, passed away on Sunday, April 3, 2022. Predeceased by his father and mother, George and Ruth Wilcox; brother, Gerard Wilcox; brother-in-law, Joseph Corona. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Marianne “Mimi” (Corona) Wilcox; sons, Justin (Linda) Wilcox, Eric (Mary Beth Cleary) Wilcox; his nephews and niece who he loved as his children, Garrett (Linda) Cummings, Colton Cummings, Heather Corona Valajeovski, Joey (Amanda) Corona; grandchildren, Kelsi Rain, Quinnlin Gerard, Evelyn Senay, Brennan George, Torin Cole and Everett Orion; his great nephews and great nieces who he loved as his grandchildren, Layton Andrew, Keeghan Lawrence, Jude Christopher, Pierce Taylor, Meghan Kayla and Ingrid Ana; sister, Chris Cummings; brother, Bob (Erika) Wilcox; sister-in-law, Kathleen Corona; dear friend, David Scott; and so many more dear friends.
Tragedy struck George at a very young age. When he was 8 his mother died, and the family was torn apart when he and his 3 siblings were separated and placed with different foster care families. This separation, and the loss of his brother Gerard and father George when he was in his 20s made George appreciate the importance of family.
As a young teen in the 60s, he left Rochester to go to NYC where he worked at Steve Paul’s The Scene in Greenwich village – a renowned club where well-known musicians and interesting people gathered. He spent time with people like Tiny Tim, Les Chamber and Mama Cass, and he even played harmonica on stage with many including Jimmy Hendrix. It was where the 60s “happened”.
George was also engaged in politics throughout his life. He was an activist in the 60s and was part of the famous protest at the Chicago convention. He was a committee member and worked for the Board of Elections for more than two decades, and in 1990, he went to Nicaragua as one of the international observers to monitor their elections.
Marianne and George met as teenagers and together they built a beautiful life filled with family, friends and love. His family was the center of his world. He especially adored his grandchildren and liked nothing more than to be surrounded by them and share in their laughter; his antics have created incredible memories for them.
George cared about people, especially children working for years as a youth care advocate. His entire life he enjoyed making people smile wherever he went, he listened and did his best to make everyone feel special. He could fill the room with the stories of his past. George was generous, charismatic, complicated, passionate and truly one of a kind. George left this world on his own terms, peacefully at his home filled with love.
He will be sorely missed, but the memories we shared with him will be with us for many lifetimes.
Friends may call FRIDAY from 4-8PM at the DiPonzio Funeral Home, Inc., 219 Spencerport Road, Gates. On Saturday, April 9, friends are invited to attend his funeral services at 10:30AM at the funeral home. Interment, Pittsford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to Boys and Girls Club of Rochester, 500 Genesee St., Rochester, NY 14611 (www.bgcrochester.org), or to a charity of your choice in his memory.
Beloved Patriarch to the Wilcox, Cummings, Corona families, a product of the 60’s and an activist, George’s true passion was his family, passed away on Sunday, April 3, 2022. Predeceased by his father and mother, George and Ruth Wilcox; brother, Gerard Wilcox; brother-in-law, Joseph Corona. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Marianne “Mimi” (Corona) Wilcox; sons, Justin (Linda) Wilcox, Eric (Mary Beth Cleary) Wilcox; his nephews and niece who he loved as his children, Garrett (Linda) Cummings, Colton Cummings, Heather Corona Valajeovski, Joey (Amanda) Corona; grandchildren, Kelsi Rain, Quinnlin Gerard, Evelyn Senay, Brennan George, Torin Cole and Everett Orion; his great nephews and great nieces who he loved as his grandchildren, Layton Andrew, Keeghan Lawrence, Jude Christopher, Pierce Taylor, Meghan Kayla and Ingrid Ana; sister, Chris Cummings; brother, Bob (Erika) Wilcox; sister-in-law, Kathleen Corona; dear friend, David Scott; and so many more dear friends.
Tragedy struck George at a very young age. When he was 8 his mother died, and the family was torn apart when he and his 3 siblings were separated and placed with different foster care families. This separation, and the loss of his brother Gerard and father George when he was in his 20s made George appreciate the importance of family.
As a young teen in the 60s, he left Rochester to go to NYC where he worked at Steve Paul’s The Scene in Greenwich village – a renowned club where well-known musicians and interesting people gathered. He spent time with people like Tiny Tim, Les Chamber and Mama Cass, and he even played harmonica on stage with many including Jimmy Hendrix. It was where the 60s “happened”.
George was also engaged in politics throughout his life. He was an activist in the 60s and was part of the famous protest at the Chicago convention. He was a committee member and worked for the Board of Elections for more than two decades, and in 1990, he went to Nicaragua as one of the international observers to monitor their elections.
Marianne and George met as teenagers and together they built a beautiful life filled with family, friends and love. His family was the center of his world. He especially adored his grandchildren and liked nothing more than to be surrounded by them and share in their laughter; his antics have created incredible memories for them.
George cared about people, especially children working for years as a youth care advocate. His entire life he enjoyed making people smile wherever he went, he listened and did his best to make everyone feel special. He could fill the room with the stories of his past. George was generous, charismatic, complicated, passionate and truly one of a kind. George left this world on his own terms, peacefully at his home filled with love.
He will be sorely missed, but the memories we shared with him will be with us for many lifetimes.
Friends may call FRIDAY from 4-8PM at the DiPonzio Funeral Home, Inc., 219 Spencerport Road, Gates. On Saturday, April 9, friends are invited to attend his funeral services at 10:30AM at the funeral home. Interment, Pittsford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to Boys and Girls Club of Rochester, 500 Genesee St., Rochester, NY 14611 (www.bgcrochester.org), or to a charity of your choice in his memory.