Bernard Tofany, a family dentist in upstate New York for more than half a century, died August 11, 2016, at the age of 93, at The Osborn in Rye, where he had lived in recent years.
During World War II he served aboard a U.S. Navy landing ship in the South Pacific. He was a graduate of Aquinas Institute, St. Bonaventure University, and University of Buffalo Dental School.
Dr. Tofany not only enjoyed being a family dentist but held many positions in his field. He was Assistant Clinical Professor of Dentistry at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, an Adjunct Clinical Professor of Dental Hygiene at Monroe Community College, and a Consultant at the V.A. hospitals in Canandaigua and Bath. He served as President of the Monroe County and Seventh District Dental Societies, as well as on the New York State Board for Dentistry, N.E. Regional Board of Dental Examiners, and the American Association of Dental Examiners, and was a Fellow in the American and International Colleges of Dentists. Dr. Tofany received the Award of Merit from the Rochester Academy of Medicine and the Dr. George D. Greenwood Award from the Seventh District Dental Society.
An active and dedicated community volunteer, he served on the Monroe County Health Council, the Board of Trustees of St. Bonaventure University, Rochester Rehabilitation Society Board, Easter Seals Society Board, Lions International, Knights of Columbus, and Christ the King Church Men’s Club.
A dearly loved husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many, he was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Elizabeth; his son, Robert; and brothers Edward (Finzer), Benedict, Vincent, and Victor. He is survived by his daughter, Lisa Groos and her husband Thomas; his grandchildren, Julie (Steve) Lagnese and Nicholas Groos; and many nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service is planned October 7, at 11 a.m. at Anthony Funeral Chapels in Rochester.
To share a memory or send a condolence to the family, visit www.anthonychapels.com.
Donations in his memory may be made to Easter Seals New York, 103 White Spruce Blvd., Rochester, NY 14623, or Lurie Children’s Foundation Neuromuscular Program, Attn: Tribute Program, 225 E. Chicago Ave., Box 4, Chicago, IL 60611.
