Jerry D. Secondo, 87, passed away peacefully on July 26, 2026, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Born and raised in Hornell, New York, Jerry was the son of Rose and Jerry Secondo of Front Street. His Hornell High School classmates affectionately nicknamed him “Jerry the Ox.” He proudly served in the United States Army in Germany before earning an associate’s degree from Alfred State College.
On December 7, 1963, he married the love of his life, Mary Margaret “Margie” Pollinger Secondo. Together they shared 57 wonderful years of marriage, raised two children, and built a home on Crosby Street—a place where everyone was welcome and where memories were made across generations. Margie was his everlasting light.
After serving in the Hornell Fire Department, Jerry spent more than thirty years as a heavy freight railroad conductor on the Erie Lackawanna, the Delaware & Hudson, and Canadian Pacific railroads. He valued hard work, loved his country, and took great pride in watching his family flourish.
Jerry pursued countless passions and projects throughout his life with an energy and versatility rarely seen today. He restored his home by hand and photographed family milestones over decades. An avid outdoorsman with a natural green thumb, he hunted big game with rifle and bow, tended a prolific vegetable garden, and proudly grew his famous Rexville garlic with his brother, Tom.. He honored his Neapolitan heritage through the recipes passed down from his grandparents. His homemade pizzelles were cherished Hornell favorites, and he took great pride in preserving family stories, photographs, and memories for future generations.
Jerry cherished traveling with Margie to the Delaware shore, summers at Demmon’s Pond, trips throughout Europe, New York City, Newport, Rhode Island, and family cruises. He especially loved the Secondo family reunions at his sister Carole’s Keuka Lake home and, in later years, the Porcaro family reunions in Hornell, where Binghamton-style spiedies, stuffed peppers, bocce, and family laughter became cherished traditions. He rarely missed his grandchildren’s performances and sporting events. A lifelong music lover—from Johnny Cash to the great crooners—he enjoyed plunking a tune on the piano, cheering on his grandson Ignatius and his band, Public Water Supply, and delighting family and friends with his signature “jump rope” dance at weddings and celebrations.
A natural storyteller and connector, Jerry had a gift for making everyone feel like an old friend. His warmth, humility, generosity, quick wit, and genuine kindness left a lasting impression on everyone he met. A familiar face around Hornell, he treasured mornings discussing current events with the “Romeos” at Billy Schu’s and JC’s Café, ran for Alderman in the 1970s, photographed local youth sporting events, and quietly lived his Catholic faith through service to his parish and community.
His greatest legacy is the genuineness of his example and the love he shared with his family, friends, and the Hornell community. Jerry reminded us that “Life Is To Be Lived.”
Jerry was predeceased by his beloved wife, Margie; his sister, Josephine (Secondo) Didsbury; and his brothers-in-law, Bernard Didsbury and Thomas Smith.
He is survived by his daughter, Eileen (James) Marino of Hornell; his son, Michael (Susan) Secondo of Bronxville, New York; grandchildren Ignatius, Natalie, and Juliet Marino of Rochester, New York, and Reid Secondo of New York City; step-granddaughter Hilary (Nicholas) Marshall-Turcotte of Newport, Rhode Island; his beloved great-grandson, Hunter Turcotte; his sister, Carole (Secondo) Smith of Lake Alfred, Florida, and Pulteney, New York; his brother, Thomas (Mary Sharon) Secondo of Hornell; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, dear friends, and members of the extended Secondo, Marino, Gentile, Pollinger, Quinlan, Smith, and Didsbury families.
The family of Jerry D. Secondo will receive friends on Wednesday (July 29, 2026) from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday (July 30, 2026) at 10:00 AM at St. Ann’s Church (Our Lady of the Valley Parish) followed by burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to gather afterward at The Main Place to celebrate Jerry’s life.
The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the physicians, nurses, caregivers, administration, and staff of Guthrie Cancer Center, Home & Healthcare Services of Hornell, and The Vincent House of Wayland, whose extraordinary compassion, dignity, and peaceful care brought great comfort to Jerry and his family during his final days. Their kindness and support will never be forgotten.
Jerry’s family request that In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name be made to either Our Lady of the Valley Parish, 27 Erie Ave., Hornell, NY14843 or to The Vincent House, 310 Second Ave., Wayland, NY 14572 or to the Bath VA Medical Center (Activities Fund) 76 Veterans Ave., Bath, NY 14810 or a charity of the donor’s choice. To leave an online condolence or share a memory, visit www.dagonfuneralhome.com
