David R. Kleehammer

BROCKPORT - February 17, 2022. David is predeceased by his brother, Richard Kleehammer & 5 grandchildren. He is survived by his wife JoAnne (Rotondi) Kleehammer; children, Elizabeth Griffin, Melissa (Jarad Kohl) Kleehammer, Matthew (Vicki) Kleehammer, & Andrew (Nicole) Kleehammer; grandchildren, Madison, Rylee, Emma, Kylie, & Parker Kleehammer; father-in-law, John Rotondi, Jr.; several nieces, nephews, cousins, dear friends & students.

David's life story will be shared during his visitation, Wednesday, February 23rd, 2-4 & 7-9 PM, 1411 Vintage Lane (Between 390 & Long Pond Rd.) at the funeral home. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated, Thursday, February 24th, 10 AM at Nativity BVM, 152 Main St., Brockport. Interment in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Donate Life, 185 Jordan Road, Suite 8, Troy, NY 12180 in David's memory.

David was a devoted husband, father, and papa. A highly social ENTJ, David loved spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed having discussions, debates, and liked to challenge your thinking. David was a committed and caring teacher, who made an impact in his students' lives.

David's life began here in Rochester, NY, on June 16, 1955. He was the son of parents Norbert and Virginia Kleehammer. Norbert worked in a factory and Virginia worked as a full-time mother. David had one sibling; an older brother named Richard. He welcomed many animals into his family, including Indiana, Tiger, and plenty of other cats.

David attended grade school at St. Peter and Paul's. He was an altar boy in the parish and made lasting friendships with the kids who grew up in the Bull's Head neighborhood with him. Childhood friends Dan Muller, Steve Malara, John Cerqua, Junior, Paul Beo, and Mike Cuomo spent time with David going "roof jumping", stealing watermelon, playing touch football, going to Browns games, and taking trips with Fr. Bill. Doris Muller was like a second mother to Dave and welcomed him in as one of the family.

He went on to excel academically at the Aquinas Institute and SUNY Brockport, earning both a Bachelor's and Master's degree. He was a talented soccer and football player and donated his time volunteering at Camp Good Days. David went on to work as a biology teacher, FedEx driver, pharmacy assistant, employee at SB Roby, coach, and phlebotomist.

Dave was involved in his community, too. He was a member of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, the YMCA, and acted as consigliere to the Italian American Sports Club.

On October 5, 1974, David married Jo Anne. They met when Dave and his buddies visited St. Augustine's to encourage the young people there to attend a teen seminar. He invited Jo Anne and her friends to come to daily mass at St. Peter and Paul's with them, and the rest was history! On their wedding day, the Cleveland Browns were well represented, too, with the ladies wearing orange dresses and the men wearing brown suits.

Dave and Jo Anne had four children: Elizabeth, Melissa, Matthew, and Andrew. The family spent time together whenever they could, even if it was just doing chores, watching TV, or having a chat. The kids enjoyed annoying their dad occasionally, too, of course. They took family vacations to Myrtle Beach, Disney World, Marineland, the Blue Ridge Mountains, Maine, the Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, Custer State Park, Watkins Glen, the Adirondacks, and cruises.

Through his adult life, David enjoyed numerous hobbies. He spent time with friends Jim Downs, Dave Rich, Claudio Battisti, Paul Grenari, Dan Izzo, and the members of the Italian Sports Club. They played poker and traveled together. He savored a wide variety of music, including America, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Beatles, Chicago, The Eagles, James Brown, and some modern rap. In his free time, Dave watched Seinfeld, Friends, Big Bang Theory, The Princess Bride, National Lampoon, A Christmas Story, Phantom of the Opera, and Mamma Mia.

Dave loved telling people "I'll give you a dollar" and hated the phrase "it is what it is". He struggled to give up the remote control, let his children drive, and land a "dad joke". Dave was a comedian at heart - intelligent, persistent, sarcastic, and hip. He loved having breakfast with the Harkins, playing Euchre with Dave and Carol Rich, and keeping up with friends on Facebook. Dave was always showing off pictures of his beloved grandkids and was sure to keep in touch with former students, friends, and family.

Over the course of his life, David remained proud of his roots in Bull's Head, his family, his regents track record, and the students he taught and coached. He knew the value of friendship, knowledge, and social interaction. Dave loved biology, advocating for unions and organ donation, napping, eating dessert, the Cleveland Browns, Mexico, and debating issues with his friends. He disliked anyone who dared hit the pole in the basement, loud noises, food mixing/touching on his plate, touching the back seat in his car, and using the railing on the stairs.

Dave's legacy is the great life he built - providing a better life for his family than the one he had. His family would like to tell him that, "We recognize and cherish all that you've done for us and will remember all of your funny lines and stories. We will miss your quick wit, sarcastic humor, and rumbling laugh, and will wholly miss you as we reminisce about all of your stories. We love you forever."