By John Marks, Curator
After six years of tours of St. Patrick’s Cemetery on East North Street, we switched to looking at St. Mary’s Cemetery on Pre-Emption Road. Last year I mentioned that we might do St. Mary’s. Although opened in 1947, someone said, “Oh, that’s new, there’s no history up there.” History is always closer than we care to admit.
The cemetery itself captures changing funeral practices. St. Mary’s has fewer religious statues than St. Patrick’s. Gone are the enamel photos of family members on Italian stones. Even though immigrants continued to come to Geneva, few headstones mark the birthplaces of the family. Part of St. Mary’s has become a “memorial park” with markers flush to the ground. There are two mausoleums for above-ground interment.
I found several immigrants who began long-running businesses. In the late 1890s Fred Monaco (1868-1964) and his wife Mary (1877-1950) moved to Argentina from Italy. They came to Geneva around 1900 and Fred opened his grocery store at 111 Washington Street. His son John moved it next door to 115 Washington Street when he took over the business. It was a treasured neighborhood store until the early 2000s when it couldn’t compete with Wegmans. With the family’s permission, the Monaco name continues with the coffee shop at 115 Washington Street.
John Lazio (1881-1958) was born in Italy and came to this country as a child. He operated the Rochester Fruit and Vegetable Store on Seneca Street. In 1938 he opened the Lazio corner store adjacent to the family residence at W. North and Oak Streets. His children continued the business for several decades.
James Madia came to America around 1901. For about 30 years he operated Madia’s restaurant on the corner of Exchange and Tillman Streets. His children continued the business after he retired.
Other business owners I found in St. Mary’s included:
We only covered Sections A & B. There are more sections plus the mausoleums to talk about, so we may well return to St. Mary’s again.
This article was brought to you in part by our supporters. Be our partner in telling Geneva’s stories by becoming a Historic Geneva supporter.
3 Responses
Thank you, John
Very interesting to learn about these families last resting place.
I have known several of these families even if I am a latecomer to Geneva.
I have never visited St. Mary’s cemetery. I drive by it quite often.
I will make a stop next time I go on Preemption Rd.
John,
Great information. Thanks for doing all the research and sharing it. Nancy and I were at the St. Mary’s tour and very much enjoyed it.
Yes more information would be interesting.