In a heartbreaking incident, Jillian Branciforte, a beloved English as a New Language (ENL) teacher at Greece Olympia High School, lost her life in a fatal car crash on Friday afternoon. The accident occurred in Ogden, New York, and involved a ten-wheel dump truck that overturned onto her vehicle.
The Ogden Police Department confirmed the devastating news, identifying Branciforte, a 29-year-old resident of Greece, as the victim. The crash took place at the intersection of Big Ridge and Manitou Roads at approximately 2:45 p.m. Chief Travis Gray of the Ogden Police reported that the dump truck, carrying gravel, tragically flipped over, crushing Branciforte’s car and resulting in her immediate death.
The driver of the dump truck sustained minor injuries and received treatment at Strong Memorial Hospital. According to Chief Gray, initial investigations suggest that drugs and alcohol were not contributing factors to the accident. Law enforcement officials are continuing their investigation to determine the exact cause of this tragic event.
Jillian Branciforte’s untimely passing comes just days after the commencement of the new school year, casting a pall of grief over the Greece Central School District community. Branciforte had been a dedicated member of the district since 2018 and served as an ENL teacher at Greece Olympia since 2019. Beyond her classroom responsibilities, she was also the National Junior Honor Society advisor and the ENL team leader at Olympia, demonstrating her commitment to her students and the school community.
Brandin Jones, the Principal of Greece Olympia High School, expressed profound sorrow over the loss of his colleague, describing Branciforte as “kind, loving, supportive, committed and a downright excellent teacher.” The impact of her loss is deeply felt by students and faculty alike.
In a moving tribute, students and teachers across the Greece Central School District wore purple on Monday to honor Branciforte’s memory. Her desk at Greece Olympia High School became a poignant memorial, adorned with numerous bouquets of flowers left by grieving students and colleagues, as highlighted in a social media post.
A Hilton High School alumna from the class of 2013, Branciforte pursued higher education, earning a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from St. John Fisher University and a master’s degree in education from Nazareth College. Her dedication to education and her students was evident throughout her career.
Adding to the tragedy, Jillian Branciforte was engaged to be married to her fiancé, Chris Blyth, with a wedding planned for late December. Her passing is an immeasurable loss to her family, friends, students, and the entire community.
Calling hours to commemorate and celebrate Jillian Branciforte’s life are scheduled for Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Bartolomeo & Perotto Funeral Home, located at 1411 Vintage Lane, Greece. According to the funeral home, a formal funeral service is not planned. The community mourns the loss of a bright and dedicated educator whose life was tragically cut short.
