Beloved patriarch, Jose Echaniz, Jr. departed this earthly life on January 28th, 2026. Born January 20, 1933 in Decatur, IL, Jose spent most of his life in Rochester, NY. He was a member of the first graduating class of St. John Fisher College in 1955. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1956 to 1957.
A devoted newspaperman, he spent 60 years working for Gannett Rochester Newspapers in nearly every aspect of the business, from copy boy to wire editor. He was the eldest child of the concert pianist and Eastman School of Music professor, Jose Echaniz and his wife Dulce.
He passed away in Chesapeake, VA, having moved from Rochester with his wife in 2016, to be closer to his son Matthew, his daughter-in-law Maria and their family. He was devoted to his faith, his family and his work.
Jose is survived by Judith, his wife of over 63 years, their six children (Jose, Catherine, Margaret, John, Mary and Matthew), as well as his brother Carlos, 21 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his sister Maria, and two grandchildren, Michael and Anna.
The funeral service will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Front Royal, VA, Wednesday, February 11th. Public visitation and viewing at 9:30 a.m., eulogy and Mass to follow at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael Echaniz Debt Relief Scholarship for New Teachers, via Christendom College.
(www.christendom.edu/gift/in-memory-michael-echaniz)
I was so sorry to hear about your dad’s passing. Greg, Doug, and I have many memories of growing up on Barrington, and quite frankly, I probably spent as much time in the Echaniz household as I did in my own during my formative years. Jose faithfully holding court from his throne in the family room was certainly part of the everyday fabric of those years. Even though time has carried all of us into adulthood, with our own families and children now, those early connections remain some of my favorite memories. Please know that I am thinking of you and your family, and I hope you find comfort in the memories we all shared with your dad.