Joanna F. Larnder, 30, of Batavia, is charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance 3rd and criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd. Larnder was arrested by deputies on a sealed indictment. Larnder is accused of selling crack cocaine to an agent of the Local Drug Task Force. She was previously arrested on charges stemming from a warrant executed by the task force in late August in the City of Batavia. During the search, she was allegedly found in possession of cocaine with the intent to sell. She allegedly failed to appear in court as ordered on those charges. Larnder was released on her own recognizance in compliance with current bail laws on the drug charges. She is being held on bail-jumping charges.
Carrie Ann Stewart, 43, of West Avenue, Attica, is charged with petit larceny. Stewart is accused of shoplifting from Old Navy on Veterans Memorial Drive at 4:48 p.m. on Sept. 27. She was arrested on Nov. 11. She was processed at the Genesee County Jail and issued an appearance ticket.
Katherine Marie Fremgen, 35, of East Avenue, Clarence, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs, failure to yield right of way, and moving from lane unsafely. Fremgen was stopped for alleged erratic operation at 10:29 p.m. on Sept. 27 on Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia, by Deputy Alexander Hadsall. Fremgen was arrested on Nov. 13 based on the results of a blood test. Fremgen was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.
Edward Ruckdeschel
Edward G. Ruckdeschel, 61, of Batavia, is charged with grand larceny 3rd and two counts of grand larceny 4th. Ruckdeschel was arrested on Nov. 14 by State Police on a theft reported at 9:07 a.m. on Oct. 19 in the Town of Batavia, on a theft reported at 5:55 p.m. on Oct. 19 in the Town of Bethany, and on a theft reported at 7:14 a.m. on Oct. 20 in the Town of Alexander. He was ordered held. The State Police, contrary to state law, did not release any further details of the cases. )See previously: Parolee with lengthy criminal record accused of multiple vehicle thefts in the county)
Richard W. Rumble, 38, of Corfu, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Rumble was arrested by State Police at 2:32 a.m. on Nov. 12 in the Town of Pembroke.
O'Lacy's Irish Pub is now closed. Photo by Howard Owens
It was with a "heavy heart" that owner Roger Christiano closed O'Lacy's on School Street in Batavia Wednesday, 18 months after he took over the popular Irish pub in 2022 from former owner Kent Ewell.
Christiano posted a letter on the door of the site that explained:
It’s with a heavy heart that I announce that I will be stepping away from O’Lacy’s Irish Pub and closing the business effective today.
My wife’s declining health has left me unable to spend the time, resources, and energy that O’Lacy’s customers and staff deserve. While it saddens me to leave, I must put my family first and focus on my wife’s long-term care.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.It’s been a pleasure meeting so many wonderful patrons over the past 18 months. Hopefully the business will reopen under different ownership in the future.
A special thank you to Kent Breslin and the O’Lacy’s staff for all their time and dedication to this very special establishment.
With gratitude, Roger Christiano
Ewell owned and operated O'Lacy's for more than 25 years before he bid his farewell to patrons.
Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) hosted its third annual food processing bootcamp at Genesee Community College, training graduating high school students from 11 districts in Genesee, Livingston, and Wyoming Counties with experiences in high-wage in-demand careers.
The free, three-day “Cornell in High School” program teaches students about practices and opportunities in the food processing industry, Genesee County’s largest employment sector.
“Our subject matter experts from CALS provide local high school students with an introductory program that teaches the basics of the food processing industry, educates them on the many career opportunities within the industry, and bring in local employees and HR professionals from local organizations within the industry from the GLOW region,” said Dairy Foods Extension Program Director Kimberly Bukowski.
“The GLOW region offers hundreds of immediate job opportunities within the food processing sector; our job is to ensure local youth are aware of these opportunities while preparing them with the proper skills.”
At the conclusion of the program, participants received a “Cornell Food Processing Certificate” which will give them an advantage in securing careers in food processing. In addition to Cornell CALS, the program featured industry experts from Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Yancey’s Fancy, O-AT-KA Milk Products, Nortera and HP Hood.
“We have seen a significant increase in the skill set of next generation of workforce candidates and this paradigm shift in prospective employees can be attributed to the committed workforce development programs that have flourished in Genesee County for the past several years,” said Eric Brooks, Director of Specialty and Milk Balancing, Upstate Niagara Cooperative. “This is due largely to the great work of our HR and workforce development stakeholders across the region.”
Significant investment from the food and beverage, advanced manufacturing, and skilled trade sectors in Genesee County equates to the readiness of the local workforce for these industries.
Programs such as GLOW With Your Hands: Manufacturing, GV BOCES Mechatronics, Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Program, Genesee Valley Pre-Apprenticeship and the Cornell Food Processing Bootcamp have contributed to the preparedness of the local workforce.
“Our approach to youth workforce development has set us apart from other regions and programs across the country. As sectors such as advanced manufacturing and food processing are key components of our regional economy, we are able to work with employers, students, and other stakeholders to tailor programs based on the constant-changing needs and skills of the workforce,” said Genesee County Economic Development Center Vice President of Business and Workforce Development Chris Suozzi.
In partnership with New York State, the Office of Strategic Workforce Development awarded Cornell CALS a $400,000 grant to provide dairy industry training through a “dairy processing boot camp” and an online dairy science and sanitation course throughout New York State.
“In the past two years Cornell has conducted three free food processing boot camps in Genesee County to support the growth and demand of the local food and beverage sector along with the good-paying debt free careers that local students have embraced for employers who are looking to fill these positions immediately,” said Suozzi.
Submitted photos from Cornell Food Processing Bootcamp.
CAN-USA Sports is excited to announce the return of the Battle of the Badges, City of Batavia Police vs City of Batavia Fire, charity hockey game & the Inaugural Batavia City Schools Foundation Faculty charity hockey game at the David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena in 2024.
The Batavia City Schools Foundation Faculty game will be on Sunday Feb. 4 at 5 p.m. with doors opening at 4 p.m. The event will feature current and former faculty members battling on the ice to benefit the Batavia City Schools Foundation.
Kids 12 & under are free to enter and tickets are just $10 with proceeds benefiting the foundation. Foundation President Zack Korzelius “We want to bring more awareness to the foundation and there is such a rich tradition of hockey at our district we thought this would be a perfect fit”.
The event is open to the public and rosters will be release shortly. Tickets can be purchased online through this link-HERE or in person at the Ice Arena.
The 2nd annual Battle of the Badges will be played on Sunday Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m. with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. The City of Batavia Police Department took the inaugural battle of the badges cup last year with the event raising over $3,000 for the David McCarthy Memorial Foundation.
“We are looking forward to getting these two great departments together for the 2 nd straight year. The David McCarthy Memorial Foundation has helped so many families in our community over the years and we are excited to donate the proceeds to such a meaningful organization again this year.” official quotes from Detective James DeFreze (Detective-City of Batavia Police) & Matt Morasco (City of Batavia Fire Department).
Kids 12 & under are free to enter and tickets are just $10 with proceeds benefiting the foundation. Tickets can be purchased online through this link - HERE or in person at the Ice Arena.
Both events will have full-service food & beverage at the rink & 50-50 at each evening’s game. “We have hosted several events in partnership with CAN-USA Sports ownership and they have been all successful. We love to highlight the rink, our community, and who doesn’t love hockey!” – Kati Murray, General Manager, David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena.
“Hockey being my first love and being able to highlight the heroes & teachers in our community playing the game I love while giving back to local charities is just a win win for the community here.” – CAN-USA Sports Owner Robbie Nichols.
If you or someone you know owns a local business who would like to help sponsor either or both of the events please contact Marc Witt, General Manager/Ownership – CAN-USA Sports, mwitt.canusa@gmail.com for opportunities.
27 Batavia City Batavia-City. Opportunity for the entrepreneurs for a great price! Super attractive 1074 sq ft office space in Batavia's most central location just outside of Batavia City Centre and within walking distance of everything downtown! Space offers large waiting/reception area and 3 additional rooms. This space has been modernized and has 3 phase electric, A/C and the ability to add another exterior door which would give you your own private entrance! Tons of parking available and loads of opportunity and possibility for the right person!
Photo of Batavia horsemen and women during Tioga Downs moment of silence courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
Prior to the start of racing this past Saturday night (Nov. 11) at Batavia Downs, members of the the local driver, trainer, groom and owner colony gathered trackside for a moment of silence to remember and honor their peers at Tioga Downs who lost their horses and their livelihoods as a result of what officials called "a despicable act of arson" that befell that track this past week.
Many of them, and many of their horses who perished, raced at Batavia Downs, and "the impact of that horrendous event was felt among everyone at the Downs as well as the racing community all across North America," officials said.
When racing got underway, Saturday’s card featured two $15,000 Open I events, which were both won by horses driven by Jim Morrill Jr., who dominated in the bike with a total of five wins on the night.
In the top trot, Morrill got away sixth with Gracious Triumph while Makadushin N Cheez (Kevin Cummings) led the field to the half in a peppy :57.3. Morrill tipped Gracious Triumph first-over into the breeze as they entered turn three and drew alongside the leader at three-quarters. Gracious Triumph took the lead at the apex of the final bend and drew away to a 2-¾ length victory in 1:56.4, which was a new seasonal mark.
It was the seventh win of the year for Gracious Triumph ($10.40) and owner Harry Wortzman. Shawn McDonough trains the winner.
Then in the featured pace, Morrill put Mirragon A on the point off the gate and never looked back. Mirragon A set fractions of :28, :58 and 1:24.4 while Out On Bail (Kevin Cummings) tried to keep pace in the pocket. As they made their way down the stretch, Out On Bail made up some ground, but Mirragon A stayed strong and won by a length in 1:53.2.
It was also the seventh win of the year for Mirragon A ($7.30) who is owned by his trainer Mike Deters, in partnership with Joel Warner and John Manning.
Morrill rounded out his quintuple crush with Oreo Dream Xtreme (1:56.4, $6.60), Fox Valley Inferno (1:57.1, $4.20) and Prairie Panther (1:55, $2.70), who reached a major milestone by winning the 70th race of his career.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 15) at 6 p.m. and there will be a $1,153 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race 13.
Free full past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.
Photo of Gracious Triumph courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
Pete Zeliff, co-chairman of the Wings Over Batavia Air Show, thanks volunteers and local agencies for their help during the 2023 air show that filled Genesee County Airport with activity and spectators day and night this past Labor Day weekend. Photo by Howard Owens
Wings Over Batavia Air Show organizers soared one last time for the season to serve up more than $11,000 to local service organizations for their volunteer efforts during the event’s two-day activities at Genesee County Airport this past Labor Day weekend.
Event co-chairs Pete and Doreen Zeliff distributed $11,032.86 in proceeds to the following agencies for providing volunteers to help with parking, crowd control and food concession stands during the holiday weekend:
Genesee County ACORNS (Association for the Conservation of Recreational and Natural Spaces)
Batavia Lions Club
Batavia Ramparts
Crossroads House
Elba Class of 2024
Friends of the Rink
Genesee County Spartans
GO-Art!
Rotary Club of Batavia
Boy Scouts
YWCA of Genesee County
The Zeliffs hosted the agencies recently at Eli Fish in Batavia for some food and drink, and the monetary award distributions, and to thank them for their assistance during the newly resurrected, inaugural 2023 air show.
The 38th Health and Humanitarian Award of Genesee County will be presented to Robert and Mary Ellen Zickl of Batavia on Friday, December 1, at an awards luncheon at noon at Terry Hills Restaurant. The award presented by The Jerome Foundation recognizes volunteer men and women of Genesee County who have helped promote emotional, physical and spiritual well-being of the area’s residents.
Nominations reflected “ordinary people who reach far beyond themselves to the lives of those in need, bringing hope, care, and friendship, and helping build a stronger, healthier community.” In naming Mr. and Mrs. Zickl for this year’s award, The Jerome Foundation will recognize them for their many humanitarian and volunteer efforts.
The Zickls were nominated by Mrs. Karen Green, Principal of St. Joseph’s School. She notes, “Bob and Mary Ellen have opened their home to countless children over the years, whether it be a short stay or a long one. The loving, compassionate and safe home that they provide has lasting memories and effects on all those who are familiar with them. In two instances in particular, they opened their home to children who were not their own, but who were treated as members of their family, with much love and support during particularly challenging times. I know they will forever consider the Zickl home to be their own.”
Both Bob and Mary Ellen have given countless hours of volunteer time to St. Joseph School and Notre Dame High School. Bob currently serves on the ND Board of Directors and St. Joseph School Board. He volunteers on the sidelines coaching ND football, as well as organizing and supervising athletes in the weight room, always promoting good fitness and healthy choices.
Mary Ellen is Foundress of All Babies Cherished and currently is involved in the Rosary Society at Ascension Parish, chairing several committees. Both Bob and Mary Ellen are Ascension Church lectors.
Bob Zickl is an Assistant District Attorney for Genesee County. Mary Ellen is a retired Special Education Teacher. They have five children and reside in the City of Batavia.
The Health and Humanitarian Award luncheon is open to the public. Tickets are $30 and may be purchased by mailing a check to The Jerome Foundation, PO Box 249, Batavia, New York 14021. For information call Chris Fix at 356-3419 or by email to thejeromefoundation@gmail.com. Seating will be limited and reservations are encouraged by Nov. 24.
Submitted photo of Janet Green (second person from left).
Press Release:
Janet Green, a seasoned LPN instructor for the Adult Education Nursing Program at Genesee Valley (GV) BOCES, is a pillar of both knowledge and compassion in the medical field. With a decade of dedication to GV BOCES and an extensive background in nursing, Green's career is a testament to her unwavering commitment to healthcare.
Before transitioning to teaching, Green spent an impressive 35 years at UR Medicine Noyes Health in Dansville, where she worked in the maternity ward and the emergency department. The wealth of experience she gained there laid the foundation for her role as an instructor, where she imparts her wisdom to aspiring nurses.
For an astounding 33 years, Green has devoted her summers volunteering at the Genesee Valley Rotary Camp, which provides a free, week-long overnight camping experience for children aged 8 to 21 with special needs. What started as a friend's invitation to assist as a camp nurse in 1990 became a lifelong commitment for Green.
By 1995, she had assumed the role of health director for the camp, overseeing the well-being of the campers throughout the week.
With a team of dedicated individuals, Green ensures that the campers, ranging from those in wheelchairs to those requiring tube feeding, experience a week filled with various activities every summer. From swimming and archery to music and adaptive physical education, the camp offers a range of opportunities for the children to explore and enjoy.
"We have a motto," Green said. "If you knew where and when a miracle was going to take place, wouldn't you want to be there? Every single year we see that.”
Recognizing the importance of practical experience, she encourages her LPN students to volunteer at the summer camp. This camp holds a special place in Green's heart. For Green, the camp is not just a volunteer opportunity; it's a chance to make a difference in the lives of these children.
"My favorite part is the kids. I love the kids; they're my kids," she said with a warmth that reflects the genuine connection she forms with each camper.
Green's dedication to the camp goes beyond her individual efforts; she transforms volunteering into a family affair. Her husband, son, daughter-in-law, and even her grandchildren, all join in the noble cause, contributing their time and skills to create a memorable experience for the campers.
Green continues to convey her nursing knowledge to future healthcare professionals during the academic year. She eagerly awaits the summers, knowing that amidst the trees and laughter of the Genesee Valley Rotary Camp. Green believes that miracles are bound to happen, and she wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
The Genesee Valley Rotary Camp, located in Portageville relies on fundraisers and donations to operate. The Rotary Clubs in Genesee Valley sponsor the children and support from other community organizations and members is welcomed. For more information contact info@gvrc.org.
Submitted photo of Janet Green (third person from left).
A traditional 21-gun salute at Genesee County Park during Veterans Day on Saturday. Photo by Nick Serrata
No matter what political differences may divide us, there are some values that pull folks together, including Saturday's ceremonies to honor and remember the military service men and women who have given of themselves so that people here in the United States can experience the freedoms spoken of so often in the Constitution.
Veterans Day drew community members to the various spots throughout Genesee County to hear speakers talk about the importance of honoring veterans, observing the sacred tradition of a 21-gun salute, listening to the "National Anthem" and paying respect to the nature of the day.
Organizations that participated included Veterans of Foreign Wars of Genesee County, Genesee County American Legion posts, Vietnam Veterans of America - Chapter #193.
A community member lays a flower wreath during a ceremony at Genesee County Park as part of Veterans Day events that took place throughout the county Saturday. Photo by Nick Serrata
Military veterans Hal Mitchell and Daniel Burling present to the community during a Veterans Day ceremony at Genesee County Park Saturday in East Bethany. Photo by Nick Serrata
Downtown Batavia was temporarily shut down Saturday so that the Veterans Day ceremony, with a uniformed color guard presenting flags, could complete its mission as part of the yearly tradition to honor and remember veterans at the Upton Monument at the intersection of Main and Ellicott streets. Photo by Nick Serrata
Residents and community members listen to speakers during a Veterans Day event Saturday at the state Veterans Nursing Home in Batavia. Photo by Nick Serrata
Finger Lakes Rochester Regional President Dan Ireland speaks during a Veterans Day ceremony Saturday at the Jerome Center Monument on Bank Street in Batavia as part of several events to honor veterans throughout the county. Photo by Nick Serrata
Community members attend a Veterans Day ceremony at the Jerome Center monument Saturday in Batavia. Photo by Nick Serrata
Graham Corporation ("Graham” or the “Company”), a global leader in the design and manufacture of mission critical fluid, power, heat transfer and vacuum technologies for the defense, space, energy, and process industries, announced today that it has acquired P3 Technologies, LLC (“P3”), a custom turbomachinery engineering, product development and manufacturing business for the space, new energy and medical markets.
Based in Jupiter, Florida, P3 has established a strong reputation in the development of state-of-the-art rotating machinery including pumps, compressors, and turbines and are specialists in high-speed rotors and cryogenic pumps. With an experienced team of highly skilled gas-turbine engineers, P3’s development process results in innovative solutions to complex technical challenges.
Daniel J. Thoren, President and CEO, commented, “This is an excellent demonstration of the acquisition element of our growth strategy. P3 is an ideal bolt on business and brings highly complementary technology that enhances and expands our turbomachinery solutions. Our Barber Nichols’ team will provide the experience and know-how for addressing the anticipated rapid growth to support P3’s growing backlog and its funnel of opportunities. Importantly, P3 also is bringing unique intellectual property that we believe we can leverage to expand the market potential of the business. We are excited about our future opportunities and welcome P3 to the Graham team.”
High Value Add Technology
P3 has a strong intellectual property portfolio including the patented Multi-Channel Diffuser (“MCD”) and Self-Contained Actuating Magnetic Pump (“SCAMP”). These products provide a product family platform that can be leveraged across many applications and industries.
The MCD is revolutionary diffuser technology that improves the efficiency of pumps and compressors by increasing pressure recovery up to 20% and measurably increasing operating range. The MCD can be used in new designs or retrofit applications and can work with any pump or compressor that utilizes a centrifugal impeller.
SCAMP is a family of positive displacement pumps for low flow, high pressure cryogenic applications compatible with oxygen, hydrogen, methane and nitrogen.
P3 also has developed a family of turbopumps ranging in thrust from 5 thousand to 200 thousand pounds. The turbopumps are designed using state-of-the-art flow path design enabled by additive manufacturing to provide higher performance at competitive prices.
In addition, P3 has created robust turbomachinery development tools which enable efficient design iteration cycles reducing lead times to product launches for customers.
Solid Financial Performance; Transaction Terms
P3’s annual revenue is expected to be approximately $6.0 million in fiscal 2023 with gross and adjusted EBITDA margins that are consistent with Graham’s fiscal 2027 goal of low- to mid-teen adjusted EBITDA margins. Backlog at October 31, 2023 was approximately $8 million. We believe P3 has a pipeline with significant upside potential.
A stock and cash transaction, P3 was acquired from its sole owner who, along with P3’s leadership team, will remain with the Company. The acquisition price has not been disclosed at this time. However, the stock element of the purchase price is valued at $2 million and the number of shares of Company’s common stock issued as part thereof was determined using a stock price of $15.92, which represents the average closing price for the Company’s common stock for the 10 trading days ending on November 3, 2023.
Submitted photo of Holly Sharpe, courtesy of Laurie Pfaff LG’09.
We are pleased to announce that Holly Sharpe, a graduate of the LG Class of 2004, has been named Outstanding Alumnus 2023. Chris White ’06 and Jocelyn Sikorski ’07 nominated Holly sharing, “Holly has been a cheerleader and ambassador for Leadership Genesee in many capacities over the past 19 years and has volunteered for LG even before she was a member, helping with the group’s Outdoor Leadership Challenge.”
Holly shares, “As a lifelong community member, I thought I knew much of what happens in Genesee County and was surprised to see and hear there is much more than most people know or realize. I want to help others learn and experience this amazing program.”
Holly served on LG’s Steering Committee for two terms, 2016-2022, serving as Co-Chair from 2020-2021. Leadership Genesee director, Peggy Marone LG ’02 shares, “Holly has been a close friend and advocate for all things community and Leadership Genesee. She has taught me a great deal about being an effective facilitator to find ways to help others grow in their abilities and confidence. That’s what leadership is all about and that is who Holly is.” She continues to facilitate LG’s Outdoor Leadership Challenge each year, one of the most impactful sessions in the year-long curriculum.
Holly has been a very active alumnus volunteering for LG, attending events and continued educational opportunities, as well as financially supporting the organization through alumni dues and donations. “I have not only learned and become more educated and aware of our community, but I have also made new connections and lifelong friendships,” said Holly.
Holly served on the CCE Board of Directors and the MHA Board of Directors, co-chairing their golf tournament. She served as a United Way Campaign Loan Executive and a City of Batavia School District volunteer. Professionally, Holly worked for the Genesee County YMCA as a fitness director and Associate Executive Director. During her tenure with the YMCA, she was recognized as a trainer of trainers for the YUSA.
Holly has her own training studio, Sharpe Training, LLC. She is a recognized and respected trainer traveling internationally for FitBodies, Inc. Group Exercise.
When asked what Leadership Genesee means to her and what she’d say to someone interested in the program, her answer was simple, “Leadership Genesee means community, collaboration, connection, learning, and a valuable resource. Run, don’t walk, and apply, you will have zero regrets!”
LG Director Marone is thrilled that she is being given the Outstanding Alumnus Award. “This award signifies someone who has worked not only to strengthen Leadership Genesee but who serves Genesee County generously as a true servant leader, a wonderful mentor for all of us.”
Holly will be honored at the LG graduation on Thursday, Nov. 30 at Terry Hills.
The Outstanding Alumnus Award is sponsored by Skip Helfrich of Human Energies. Leadership Genesee is a program of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities. For more information about Leadership Genesee, please visit our website at http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/leadership-genesee.
New managing team, from left, Steven Johnson, Joshua Smith, Justin Calarco-Smith, and T.J. Woodward, gather in front of Gilmartin Funeral Home in Batavia in recognition of a new deal for H.E. Turner Funeral Home to purchase Gilmartin and its two other funeral homes. Photo by Howard Owens
For two longstanding, reputable businesses, even though they had been competitors, their futures were heading toward an intersection that both sides eventually knew was coming.
Business trends, staffing needs, customer spending habits and the pandemic all played a role in merging their paths.
“The big thing is that Gilmartin, and Marley's, and Eaton Watson have always had a stellar reputation in the communities that they serve. And we felt as if we did, too, or do, and from all parties’ standpoint, it seemed to make sense. The funeral business is not unlike any other industry. We're facing just immense staffing problems. And our staff are harder to come by because you have to be licensed. And that's not an easy process for folks.
And both of us recognized… that a staffing problem was imminent, and so that, coupled with the changing societal views of funeral services — people going more towards cremation and less towards casket burial — it just started to make sense that each side needed to do something in order to remain,” Steven Johnson said in an interview with The Batavian about H.E. Turner’s deal to buy Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company Inc.
It wasn’t about a risk of going out of business, he said, “because that is certainly not the case.” But, rather, it was a desire of both Batavia-based businesses to “secure the legacies of all of our founders well into the future,” he said.
Turner, the oldest continuously operator-owned business in Genesee County, Johnson said, was founded in January 1910. Owners Johnson, Justin Calarco-Smith and Joshua Smith and Gilmartin owner T.J. Woodward completed the deal on Aug. 14, although perhaps no one’s the wiser because not much on the surface is changing, aside from some managerial details.
Timothy “T.J.” Woodward, owner of Gilmartin at 329 West Main St., Batavia, said it was still a bit raw to talk about, as it was “a very, very difficult decision” to make.
“It was a super emotional decision. My grandpa started the funeral home,” he said.
His grandfather, the late Darwin Gilmartin, founded the home in 1955. Timothy D. Woodward, T.J.’s dad, bought the business in 1986, and T.J., in turn, purchased it in 2011, which is when he also bought Eaton-Watson from his dad. The third-generation funeral director purchased Marley Funeral Home in Attica two years later.
He began in the business at 19, and it has been the majority of his life. This decision seems about “10 to 15 years earlier than I had wanted,” he said.
“But I think it was inevitable one way or another, I think that they were either going to buy me out, or I was gonna buy them out at some point. So I think it was inevitable,” Woodward said. “I looked at the opportunity that I had in front of me and thought that it was best for myself and my family. And that's the direction I decided to go.”
Customers have been informed, and all of the prior licensed funeral directors will remain in place, including Turner’s other acquisitions of Marley Funeral Home and Eaton-Watson. That means that T.J. Woodward will still be at Gilmartin, Tom Bush will remain at Eaton-Watson and Zachary Curtis, a funeral director at Turner, will be managing the day-to-day operations of Marley and “taking that off T.J.’s plate,” Johnson said.
“We’re looking at this as a merger and sharing key staff. Each funeral home has to be managed by a different director. We have eight full-time licensed funeral directors. So I think what the public should know is that the service and the attention to detail that they have come to expect from each of the respective firms will not change. All of the people that they know and have come to trust and have friendships with throughout the years are still here,” Johnson said. “The only things that are changing are some sharing of staff. And some behind-the-scenes managerial things that no one would ever know about if we didn't say anything.
“So, we're not jacking prices, we're not playing any games, we're gonna continue to do things the way that we have always done them,” he said. “Both firms have enjoyed an extremely good reputation locally, in the Greater Western New York area, and in the state. We're active in the state and the national associations. T.J., Justin, Josh, Zach and I are not going anywhere.”
Turner also employs three part-time licensed funeral directors and has one state-registered resident intern pursuing a license, plus unlicensed staff that assists with directing funerals, taking first calls, and performing housekeeping and maintenance duties.
Turner owns all of the eight properties, and the company, though a competitor with Gilmartin for decades, has always been on friendly terms, Johnson said. There just came a point about a year ago when both funeral home owners began to discuss options about Turner purchasing all three of Gilmartin’s funeral homes, Johnson and Woodward said.
Johnson stepped into the business in January 2011 and has been a part-owner since 2020, with an accumulated 20 years in the funeral business. One factor that really played a role in changing the industry was the pandemic shutdown and social distancing requirements, he said.
“I think there's always going to be people who want to bury, and I think there's always going to be people who want to cremate. But I don't ever see it going back closer to 50/50 like it was. We're closer to 65 percent cremation right now. And honestly, COVID very much exacerbated that. I mean, it dramatically increased after COVID. A huge part of that was that people couldn't have services,” Johnson said. “I do think that people still see a value in having a funeral or a celebration of life of some sort. I think that people still see value in viewing their loved ones. I do see the business changing or continuing to adapt or evolve.
'Funerals are not something that funeral directors invented as a way to make money. People want to have funerals. I mean, what we're looking for is for somebody to stand in the front of our family and friends and say something nice about the person that died. That's all we're looking for. And, you know, that's what we do. We facilitate that. And no matter what happens, the grief process doesn't end; it doesn't change. There's no way around it. The only way to get through grief is to go through it. And a funeral director’s job, truthfully, is to help facilitate healthy grief by having viewings and funerals, and ceremony of some sort.”
He wants to assure those folks who have prepaid with any of the funeral homes that all of it remains safe and secure. “We are honoring any pre-arrangement,” he said.
A little H.E. Turner history This story, according to the company's website, begins in January of 1910, when Harry Ernest Turner, a native of Clarendon, and Harry D. Bartlett of Holley bought the Williamson Furniture and Undertaking Store.
The furniture and funeral combination wasn’t unusual at the time. Historians believe early furniture stores carried coffins and other funeral accessories, which made them a natural link to the funeral business.
Turner, who worked ten years in a furniture store in Holley before purchasing the Batavia store, published a weekly newspaper, The Holley Standard, as a sideline. Bartlett served as Orleans County Clerk in the early 1900s, and the pair also had a joint interest in stores in Byron and Holley, which they sold a few years after they came to Batavia.
H.E. Turner & Co. was operated at 111 Main St., the former Newberry Building, until 1921, when it was moved to the Cary Mansion at 211 East Main St. Fourteen years later, the firm moved to the Bean Mansion at 403 East Main St., where it remains today.
Harry Turner served as president until his death on January 30, 1949, when James B. McCulley and Harold J. Bishop took over. The furniture line was gone by the time Bishop assumed sole ownership of the business following McCulley’s death in 1953.
Bishop continued the business with the help of new associates, Harold Kruger and Edward Canty, for a dozen years preceding his own death in 1965, at which time Canty became president of the funeral home. He and Kruger carried on the Turner tradition with the help of Amos Grefrath and George Patterson.
Mr. Canty retired in 1972, at which time Patterson took over as president. Kruger retired in 1975. Patterson died in December of 1976, and management became the responsibility of James F. Smith, Amos Grefrath and Ed Canty’s nephew, James Canty.
Jim Smith worked at the former C.W. Bohm Mortuary before he came to Turner’s. He became president of the firm in 1977.
As the business grew, so did Smith’s desire to continue the Turner tradition of fine service to the community. He opened the funeral home in Bergen in July of 1988.
Amos retired in 1986. Jim Canty retired in 1992, leaving Jim Smith the sole owner of the funeral home.
In October 2012, Mr. Smith transferred ownership of the firm to his two sons, Justin D. Calarco-Smith, and Joshua J. Smith, along with his longtime trusted friend and employee, Randy W. McIntire. Jim Smith died on Aug. 9, 2023.
In April of 2020, Randy W. McIntire transferred his interest in the firm to Steven L. Johnson, who has been with the firm since January 2011. Together the staff has more than 115 years of funeral service experience.
Marley Funeral Home was founded in 1921 by Ervin J. Marley as E.J. Marley Furniture & Undertaking. In 1949 Richard O. Merle and his wife, Alice, purchased the firm. David M. Sokol began working there in 1973 and together with his wife, Beth they purchased the firm in 1991. Dave sold to Gilmartin Funeral Home in 2012.
Eaton-Watson Funeral Home was founded on Lake Street in Perry by Stan Eaton prior to WW II. The firm was sold to Russ Watson in the 1950s, followed by Kathy Miller in the early to mid 1990s, who moved the firm to its North Main Street location in 1999. She sold the firm to Gilmartin Funeral Home in 2007. Tom Bush has been a funeral director at that funeral home since 2002 and the Managing Funeral Director since 2007.
Turner also owns Robinson and Hackemer Funeral Home in Warsaw, which it purchased three years ago.
Brian William Kennedy, 47, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny, possession of burglary tools, and conspiracy 6th. Kennedy is accused of entering Dick's Sporting Goods at 2:49 p.m. on Nov. 6 and removing the security tag from a coat. He then allegedly left the store without paying for the coat. He was located by deputies inside Walmart a short time later. In the initial report, there was a possible second subject involved in the case. No second arrest has been announced by the Sheriff's Office. The deputies handling the case are Chad Cummings, Jenna Ferrando, and Richard Schildwaster.
John J. Saddler, Jr., 36, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Saddler is accused of stealing a bag of commissary items from the Genesee County Jail on Nov. 6 at 5:49 p.m. during commissary distribution. Saddler was issued an appearance ticket.
Sylvan Parker Grayson, 34, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with obstructing governmental administration 2nd. Grayson, an inmate at the Genesee County Jail, is accused of using shaving cream to obscure the view of a camera in the jail. He was arrested and returned to custody in the jail.
A Rochester resident has been accused of dealing drugs in Genesee County following a six-month-long investigation by the Local Drug Task Force into the possession, transportation, and sale of crack cocaine.
Alterique Day, 51, is charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony, and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony.
Day was taken into custody on Nov. 7 by deputies on a sealed grand jury indictment warrant issued by Genesee County Court.
In late August, Day was accused of selling a quantity of fentanyl to an agent of the task force in the City of Batavia and taken into custody. He was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell and criminal possession of a weapon. He was initially held on bond but then released later in accordance with state bail laws.
On the new charges, he was arraigned in County Court and released on his own recognizance in accordance with state bail laws.
The task force was assisted by deputies, deputies from Livingston County, and the District Attorney's Office.
Submitted photo of (from left to right): Christine Fix - The Jerome Foundation Executive Director, Robert Balbick - The Jerome Foundation Board President, Tracy Ford - UMMC Foundation Board President, Daniel Ireland, RRH President and COO of Finger Lakes Rural Hospitals.
Press Release:
The Jerome Foundation, a Batavia-based organization that receives, manages and distributes non-profit funds for health-related purposes, donated $150,000 to Rochester Regional Health’s United Memorial Medical Center (UMMC), and specifically its plans for a new, state-of-the-art Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
The renovated ICU will triple in size and bring crucial medical care to patients who are often the sickest, most vulnerable, and most in need in Batavia and the surrounding communities.
“Building a new, expanded and modern Intensive Care Unit is a priority project for United Memorial Medical Center, and another example of Rochester Regional Health’s unwavering commitment to the health and wellbeing of our rural residents. It means in a time of crisis, our community can get lifesaving critical care right here at home, reducing the need for difficult trips to bigger cities,” said Dan Ireland, RRH President & Chief Operating Officer, Finger Lakes Rural Hospitals. “We want to thank the Jerome Foundation for this generous donation, and for its continued support that allows us to provide world-class health care to our patients here in the Genesee County region.”
Over the years, the Jerome Foundation has supported several UMMC projects including the construction of a new Healthy Living Campus and new Radiology Department.
“The Jerome Foundation has a long history of supporting worthwhile organizations in our community and what can be more appropriate to our mission than continuing our financial assistance to United Memorial Medical Center (UMMC),” said Robert Balbick, The Jerome Foundation President. “UMMC provides our community with invaluable professional medical services and its commitment to do so in the future in part depends upon contributions from our community. This $150,000 gift to UMMC is an investment in that future for every one of us in this community.”
The expanded ICU will triple in size from its current space and include:
Ten private patient rooms with bathrooms
One bed dedicated to pediatric patients
Central nurses station, with workstations outside each room
Cutting-edge technology in each room including integrated telemedicine and enhanced monitoring capabilities, and additional lift and transfer equipment in the rooms
New ICU waiting room
UMMC is still completing all the future ICU’s design details and continues with its fundraising efforts.
Join the Richmond Memorial Library on Saturday, Nov. 18 at 11 a.m. as Perry Ground shares “Re-Thinking Thanksgiving: A Native American Perspective on an American Holiday.” This program is free and open to all. Recommended for families with children in 4th grade or higher and all adults.
Much of what people ‘know’ about Thanksgiving is actually a blend of fiction, myth, and history that has become widely accepted as truth. But the events of what we call “the First Thanksgiving” are nothing like our traditions today.
The creation of this holiday has little to do with the feast that took place in 1621 between the Pilgrims and the Indians. Storyteller and Cultural Educator, Perry Ground will give an overview of this very misunderstood holiday.
The presentation will discuss the actual events of 1621, including the feast, and the relationship between English settlers at Plymouth and the Wampanoag, the Native people who inhabited the area. The concept of Thanksgiving held by many Native Americans will be emphasized through the presentation. Learn the true story and re-think Thanksgiving- a great educational opportunity for all ages.
Presenter Perry Ground is a Turtle Clan member of the Onondaga Nation of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy. He has been telling stories for over 30 years as a means of educating people about the culture, beliefs, and history of the Haudenosaunee. Perry learned many of the stories he shares from elders of Native American communities and feels that practicing and perpetuating the oral traditions of Native people is an important responsibility.
Professionally, Perry has worked in several museums including The Children’s Museum of Houston, Sainte Marie among the Iroquois, and Ganondagan State Historic Site. He has shared stories at countless museums, libraries, classrooms, and festivals throughout the northeast and has guest lectured at numerous colleges.
Perry is the former Project Director of the Native American Resource Center within the Rochester (NY) City School District and served as the Frederick H. Minett Professor at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) for the 2021-22 academic year.
For more information about Perry Ground, visit https://talkingturtlestories.com/ Richmond Memorial Library is located at 19 Ross Street in the City of Batavia. For more about the library, visit batavialibrary.org.
