William M. Colestro, 84, formerly of Bradford and Ellicottville, passed away, Sunday February 12, 2023, at Absolut Care in Westfield NY.

Born May 25, 1938, in Alliance OH, he was a son of the late Joseph Henry Colestro and Alice (Steck) and her husband Joseph Bizzaro.

Growing up in Bradford, Bill was a 1951 graduate of St. Bernard. His skills in basketball and football resulted in a basketball scholarship for Rochester Institute of Technology where he studied art and design. Later, active in the Bradford Youth Basketball League, many people in Bradford fondly called Bill “Coach”. He also provided leadership and support for the Bradford Central Christian Rambler Association. Many Good Fridays until a few years before his death you would find Bill in St. Bernard kitchen baking excellent fish dinners for hundreds of people followed by an evening at the Italian Club. 

On February 16, 1961, Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed near Pearl Harbor at Hickam AFB in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was an aircraft mechanic and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and was the fearless Center of the Hickam AFB Football Team. He was honorably discharged on August 6, 1964.  

He was a Master Carpenter and contractor and worked on homes and condos in Bradford and Ellicottville NY. After his hard days at work, he enjoyed kicking back with his friends and coworkers, and having beers at the Ellicottville American Legion Post #659 and the Little Valley VFW. He enjoyed telling jokes and playing cards, especially SCAT. He had an excellent voice and would often be asked to sing the Irish favorite, Danny Boy, or Louis Armstrong’s Wonderful World.

Surviving is one daughter, Debra (David) Wilber, and their children, Mary and Abby, one son, Joseph Colestro, one stepdaughter, Lisa (Brett) Crassi, and their children, Ariana and Briella, and one stepson, Jesse Grzankowski, and several great-grandchildren, one brother, Jim (Ann) Colestro, of Bradford, and Bill’s former wives, Molly Colestro, and Janice (Grzankowski) Colestro, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepfather, his first wife, Mary (Gigliotti) Colestro, two brothers, Charles Colestro, Robert “Bob” (Freda) Colestro of Streetsboro, OH and one sister, Judith (Walter “Red”) Smith of Lexington, KY.

Friends will be received on Thursday February 16, 2023, from 11:00 am to Noon at Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes, Inc. 33 South Ave. where funeral services will be held at Noon with Fr. Jim Gutting of St. Bernard Church, officiating. Following the service Military Honor’s by members of the United States Air Force and the Honor Guard from the American Legion Post 108 of Bradford will be accorded at the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Bernard Cemetery.

Memorial contributions if desired may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com