Obituary of Gregory F. Procopio

Gregory F. Procopio of Rome, New York passed away at the age of 75 on Thursday, November 28, 2019. Born on August 25, 1944, and native to city of Rome, he was the son of the late Gregory "Gordy" and Angeline (Tallarino) Procopio. He married Sandra Tyksinski, also of Rome, New York, in 1966. Gregory received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University at Albany (1968); a Master of Science degree in Education and Psychology from Syracuse University (1977); and, in 1978, was recognized as a Doctoral Candidate in Educational Psychology at Syracuse University. Gregory was employed at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Syracuse, New York as a Senior Psychology Research Technician from 1968 to 1984. He was Project Assistant, from December, 1984 to May, 1986, for the Research Foundation at the Upstate Medical Center of Syracuse. Gregory was also involved in the training, supervision, and career counseling of high school and college students interested in the health sciences in co-operation with various community and university internship programs. Gregory was very active as an Assistant Psychometrician, both at the Veterans Administration Medical Center and at S.U.N.Y. at Upstate, receiving a Performance Award for Outstanding Rating Performance. He also taught courses in upper level undergraduate Educational Psychology for University College at Syracuse University. Among Gregory's other interests was playing the guitar, and he taught guitar for the Music Department and Division of Community Services at Cazenovia College, Cazenovia, New York. He also received an Outstanding Duo Performance Award (with his brother, Joseph) at the International Music Talent Festival. Apart from his wife, Sandy, Gregory is survived by his daughter, Linda Procopio (of Rome), his two sons, Gregory Procopio and Jeffrey Procopio (both of Liverpool), three grandchildren; Anthony Procopio, Angelina Baldwin, and Kayleen Procopio, and four great-grandchildren; Zachary, Ryder, Adrienne, and Ophelia. Also surviving are his brother and sister-in-law, Joseph and Elaine Procopio (of North Carolina), and several nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews. He was predeceased by a granddaughter, Cordelia Procopio. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, December 5, 2019, at 10:00 a.m., at St. John the Baptist Church with the Rev. Abe Esper officiating. Burial will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery. There are no calling hours. Memorial contributions may be made in Gregory's name to Hospice and Palliative Care, 4277 Middle Settlement Rd., New Hartford, NY 13413 or to the Abraham House of Rome, 417 N. Washington St., Rome, NY 13440. Arrangements are by the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 7751 Merrick Rd., Rome, NY. To offer online condolences, please visit www.nibushfuneralhome.com.