Jeff Rotella

Jeff Rotella, 57, of Syracuse, passed away Saturday, October 8, 2011 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania as the result of a work-related accident. Born in Syracuse on Saturday, November 28, 1953, he was a lifetime resident of the Syracuse-Camillus area. He was a 1972 graduate of West Genesee High School. Jeff was founder and owner of Jeff Rotella Transport Corp. for more than 15 years and was also formerly employed by Hallamore Trucking Corp. and Orchard Earth & Pipe Corp. A jack-of-all-trades, he designed and built his family's home where he lived for more than 30 years. He enjoyed all large and heavy machinery, including John Deere tractors, Caterpillar machinery, and antique trucks, especially Mack trucks and International Harvester Scouts. He was very active with the American Truck Historical Society. Having been a truck driver for 40 years, he traveled to nearly all 50 states. He was a member of Immanuel United Methodist Church. Jeff was an organ donor. He was predeceased by his parents, Jane Rotella Coyle and John Rotella Sr. Surviving are his wife of 25 years, the former Hollis Ummer; children, Benjamin and Eden; sisters, Joanne Rotella of Atlanta, Georgia, Jill Rotella, Julie Moore and Jean Turner, all of Camillus; brothers, John, Jock, Jed and Jay Rotella, all of Camillus; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Relatives and friends may call Thursday, October 13 from 4 to 7 p.m. and Friday, October 14 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Buranich Funeral Home, 5431 W. Genesee St., Camillus. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 15 at Immanuel United Methodist Church, 303 Kasson Rd., Camillus with Rev. Heather Williams officiating. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Eden's favorite charity, Operation Net, 703 Teague Dr., Jamestown, NC 27282, (www.operationnet.org), Make- A-Wish Foundation, 5005 Campuswood Dr., East Syracuse, NY 13057 or to one's favorite charity.