Hundreds Gather to Celebrate Life of Judge Ron Cicoria

GENESEO – Hundreds of people gathered in loving memory of Judge Ronald Cicoria on Monday in a celebration of life ceremony that brought both tears and sad laughter to many faces.

The ceremony began at 10 a.m., with the procession of the hearse down Main Street from where Judge Cicoria lay in state at the courthouse, while dear friends, family, neighbors and friends filed into the Wadsworth Auditorium on the SUNY Geneseo campus.

Pastor Mike Smith began the ceremony with an opening prayer, followed by a touching eulogy by local attorney Kevin Van Allen, in which he recounted his entry to the legal community as a young attorney under the imposing yet humane presence of “Judge Ron,” who commanded respect without demanding respect.

Former county District Attorney and current New York State Supreme Court Justice Thomas Moran also gave a eulogy in which he remembered their professional relationship, especially when they worked together in the DA’s office following Judge Cicoria’s retirement from the bench. Judge Moran said that Judge Cicoria would not only handle felony trials but volunteer to cover village courts, handling traffic tickets and minor violations with the DA’s office in his retirement, saying that “This is where true justice happens, where everyday people handle everyday problems.”

Many members of law enforcement were also in attendance, including representatives from the New York State Police, Livingston County Sheriff’s Office, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Rochester Police, and Geneseo Police.

Judge Cicoria’s children also shared fond stories about their father, a longtime Caledonia resident, equestrian, farmer, and dad.

Judge Cicoria’s brother, Gary Cicoria, got a laugh when he reminded those in attendance of the Judge’s passion for football, recounting a particular Cal-Mum game in which they disagreed with a referee’s call to the point where local law enforcement had to redirect them back to the spectators’ area.

Speeches by family highlighted “Judge Ron’s” vibrant family life alongside his legacy as a pillar of justice within the legal community.

Nine mounted patrol officers with the Sheriff’s Office stood silently on guard with their horses outside the auditorium, accompanied by a lone black horse with no rider.

The ceremony closed with the playing of taps and presentation of the flag to Judy Cicoria, Judge Cicoria’s wife, by the honor guard with the Sheriff’s Office.

PHOTO CAPTION: Top – The honor guard bears the casket to the ceremony. Middle – Mounted patrol stand guard outside, alongside a lone empty horse. Bottom – (L-R) The Honorable Craig J. Doran, Administrative Judge for the Seventh Judicial District, New York State Supreme Court Justice Thomas Moran, and District Attorney Greg McCaffrey lead the procession down Main Street, followed by Sheriff Thomas Dougherty and Undersheriff Matthew Bean, and Deputy Sheriffs. (Photos/Larry Tetamore)