| Date of Birth | November 29, 1923 |
| Passed Away | October 19, 2011 |
| Place of Residence | Rochester/Hornell |
| Home State | NY |
| Service Date | October 22, 2011 |
| Service Time | 10:30 AM |
| Service Location | St. Ann's Church |
| Interment Location | St. James Cemetery, Trumansburg |
REV. ROBERT J. KANKA
ROCHESTER/HORNELL-Rev. Robert J. Kanka, 87, of Rochester, formerly of Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Hornell, died Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 19, 2011) at St. Ann’s Home in Rochester, after a brief illness.
Born in Rochester on Nov. 29, 1923, he was the son of the late Robert and Mary Reagan Kanka and was a former resident of Geneseo, where he grew up in St. Mary’s Parish. Fr. Kanka graduated from Geneseo High School, class of 1941 where he was a member of the basketball and football teams. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Rochester where he participated in soccer.
From 1942 to his honorable discharge in 1946 as a Master Sergeant, he proudly served his country with the U.S. Army with the 25th Medical Depot Company.
Fr. Kanka received his seminary training at St. Andrew’s and St. Bernard’s seminaries in Rochester and was ordained on June 9, 1956 by Bishop James E. Kearney at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Rochester.
Besides becoming an associate editor of the Courier-Journal (formerly the Catholic Courier) in 1965 he also served at 11 different parishes throughout the Diocese of Rochester including St. Patrick’s Church in Mt. Morris where he served as pastor from 1972 to 1974. In 1980 he became pastor of St. James the Apostle Church in Trumansburg and remained there until retiring in 1994. After retiring he resided at Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Hornell where he maintained an active ministry to the parishoneers before moving to Rochester 16 months ago.
His family includes his sister, Kathryn “Kay” Kanka of Rochester; also his cousins,
Kathleen (Soren) Thomas, Gertrude Houston, Eleanor Houston and Emmett Houston.
Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his aunt, Elizabeth “Bess” Wadsworth.
Fr. Kanka will lie in state from 3-7 p.m. Friday at St. Ann’s Church, 31 Erie Ave., Hornell followed by an evening prayer service at 7 p.m. He will also lie in state at St. Ann’s Church from 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday followed by his Funeral Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. celebrated by the Most Rev. Matthew H. Clark, Bishop of Rochester. Committal prayers and interment, with military honors, will follow at St. James the Apostle Parish Cemetery in Trumansburg.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to the Madonna House, 2887 Dafoe Road, Comberemere, Ontario KOJ1L0, Canada. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at St. Ann’s Church.
Arrangements are with the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell.
Father Kanka was such a dear and gentle man. Our parish was truly blessed to have him call Our Lady of the Valley home for so many years! God bless and keep you Fr. Kanka; may His angels welcome you home.
Fr. Bob Kanka was a precious part of our family loved by all of us. What priest would take 5 little kids to see Star Wars all by himself? Those little kids are now in their 40’s. We have been so blessed to have this holy, funny, loving, kind man as an integral part of our lives.
When I was a little girl back in the 1950’s my Dad was so very sick, he was bed ridden.We lived out in Henrietta which was nothing like it is today.Father Kanka use to bring my Dad Holy Communion quite often.One day which forever sticks in my mind is the day Father Kanka had to drudge through all the snow just to get to my house. I have always consided him my hero.He is definetly in heaven with God. Thankyou Father Kanka
Dear Father Kanka, All your parishoners everywhere will miss you. You were so kind. You went beyond the call of dutym Y heart is heavy and sad but you are in Heaven with God now. You touched everyone who knew you.
Dear Fr. Kanka, Back in the early 60’s you helped me start a new life by your direction, and willingness not to judge my past. Your help allowed me, to get married in Holy Family Church in Rochester, NY…..and ultimately our children baptized there. We had hoped you would be around for our 50 wedding anniversary in 2 yrs. We so wanted to surprise you….wish we had
taken the few moments in life to do a
celebration sooner! You were our light,thank you for your love and faithfulness to God.
Kathryn,
You are both cut from the same wonderful cloth of Faith. Know that we at Madonna House love you both and carry you especially now in our hearts and Fr. Bob in our prayers.
God bless.
Rev. Bob and I exchanged Christmas cards, joyfully recalling the days we played football at Irving Prep School in Tarrytown. Bob was quarterback and I, left end — it was 1941 and Bob and I were in betweem hs and college. He was one of the finest men I ever met; I am heartsick to find my Christmas card returned with “Deceased” on the envelope. Bob, please throw me another pass… from Heaven.