Gilbert Nagel

January 2.2020, 91 years young, still sound of mind, but his body wasn’t keeping up with his quick wit, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving step-children, after a 2 month stay at Unity Hospital.

He enlisted in the Coast Guard shortly after high school and served eight years. Later he went to work at Eastman Kodak until his retirement. In the summer of 2013, Gilbert moved into Fleming Point living facility in Greece, N.Y. Yolanda Ristuccia, a retired hairdresser known as Yollie, moved into Fleming Point as well. Yollie being a hairdresser, never allowed her hair to gray. Gilbert always described looking over the balcony there, and saw a “dark-haired beauty” that stood out from the other white-haired Q-tip-esque women—it was love at first sight. He later took an elevator ride with Yolanda, was overcome by the smell of her White Diamonds perfume, and impulsively kissed her before he even knew her name! This was the beginning of the love story between Gilbert Nagel and Yolanda Ristuccia.

After what was supposed to be a trip to New Jersey to visit family for Thanksgiving, Gilbert proposed to Yolanda from a hospital bed. Gilbert needed to have emergency heart surgery which kept them in N.J. for months that led to years. They married in N.J. on 1.4.2014, surrounded by family, Yolanda age 88 and Gilbert age 85. They enjoyed the remainder of their lives together. Gilbert was a truly devoted husband. When Yollie lost her sight, Gilbert reassured her by saying “I will be your eyes”. He cared for her until May 25th, 2018, her final day on this earth, at age 91, again surrounded by family. Yolanda’s huge Italian family enjoyed watching this magical love story unfold. Gilbert brought pure love and joy into Yollie’s life, as she did his. He was a punctual lad, right up until the end, as Gilbert passed away peacefully just in time for a heavenly reunion on their 6th wedding anniversary. “Don’t let it be forgotten that for one brief shining moment, there once was Camelot”.


Family, friends and others whose lives Gilbert touched, may call on Saturday, January 18th, 2020 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Farrell-Ryan Funeral Home, 777 Long Pond Road, Rochester, N.Y. 14612. Immediately after an 11 a.m., mass will be held at Holy Cross Church, 4492 Lake Ave., Rochester, N.Y 14612. Interment at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, 2461 Lake Avenue, Rochester, N.Y. 14612. Following Gilbert’s entombment, we hope to have a gathering (location to be determined and announced at his services), to remember him and celebrate his life.