Calling hours are Thursday for Dan DiClemente, longtime RCSD union president

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Calling hours are Thursday for Dan DiClemente, the longtime president of the union that represents over a thousand support staff within the Rochester City School District.

DiClemente served as the president of BENTE Local 2419 union for 22 years. The union includes maintenance, food service, and security personnel. He died after a battle with cancer.

Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. at New Comer Cremations and Funerals on Ridgeway Avenue. The funeral is Friday at 9:30 a.m. at St. Lawrence Church on North Greece Road.

Last week, members of the district’s board of education held a moment of silence at a meeting after DiClemente entered hospice. Mayor Malik Evans released this statement about DiClemente:

“I am heartbroken on the passing of my longtime friend Dan DiClemente. I offer my deepest condolences to his family and friends in this sorrowful moment.”

“As president of BENTE Local 2419 and AFSCME Council 66, Dan was a tireless advocate for working families and workers across the nonprofit and public sectors. I worked closely with Dan for more than 20 years and I was fortunate enough to witness firsthand his passionate resolve to secure fair wages and employment conditions that respect the health, safety and dignity of workers everywhere. Dan’s commitment and determination will have a positive impact on our community for generations to come.”

“Rochester’s workforce is our most valuable economic asset, and we have people like Dan DiClemente to thank for that. His life was far too short, but full beyond measure.”