MASSENA — Jeffrey L. "Bird" Villnave, 44, of 9 Laurel Ave., died Monday morning at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Syracuse, where he had been admitted from Massena Memorial Hospital. He had been ill with leukemia.

Mr. Villnave was a cook at Trombino's Restaurant until retiring because of his illness.

Born March 19, 1964, in Massena, son of Robert H. and Carol L. McKinney Villnave, he graduated from St. Lawrence Central School, Brasher Falls, in 1983.

He served in the Army from April 18, 1985, until his honorable discharge on March 8, 1988.

He enjoyed his dog, the computer and sports. He was an avid New York Yankees baseball and Dallas Cowboys football fan.

Surviving besides his parents, of Massena, are a son, Joshua Ryan, 15, and a daughter, Kateri Agnes Villnave, 9, both of Massena; his maternal grandmother, Kathleen McKinney, Neosho, Mo.; two sisters and their husbands, Lana and Oscar Martinez, Boise, Idaho, and Kathleen and Douglas Hartson Jr., Schuyler Falls; a brother and his wife, Robert and Michele, Olympia, Wash., a niece and many cousins.

His maternal grandfather, Wallace McKinney, and his paternal grandparents, Carlton and Frances Gardner Villnave, died before him.

A prayer service will be at 9 p.m. Friday at Donaldson Funeral Home with the Rev. Donald J. Manfred officiating. The body will be cremated.

Calling hours will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Donations may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Condolences may be made at www.donaldsonfh.com.