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Shirley F. Smith

By T.J. Woodward


Shirley F. Smith, 92 of LeRoy, formerly of Batavia passed away peacefully under the loving care of the nurses and nursing assistants on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at LeRoy Village Green in LeRoy. She was born August 23, 1925 in DuBois, PA to the late George (Shirley Hauck) Kearney. Shirley was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 39 years, Robert J. Smith Sr.; sisters Jeanne Rill (Norman) of Michigan, Betty Cooley (Leon) of Attica and Mary Barrett (David) of Batavia.

Shirley lived in Perry during her childhood and later moved to Batavia. She was employed as a bookkeeper at Batavia Marine and Sporting Supply for almost 30 years where she enjoyed talking to everyone about hunting and fishing. She was a lifetime member of Godfrey’s Pond. She also worked as an election inspector for many years as well. Her faith was very important to her, and she was a lifelong member of St. Joseph’s Church and a member of the Women’s Sodality for many years.

Shirley’s greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her son; Robert J. Smith Jr. (Melissa) of Batavia; daughter Paula (Batchellor) Miller (Theodore) of East Bethany; grandchildren Major Adam S. Batchellor (USAF) (Nicol) of Montgomery, AL., Jenny Carney (Brendan) of East Bethany, Amy Celentano (Peter) of Stafford, Megan Hausler of California and Kelsey Smith of Pennsylvania; great grandchildren Neeley Elizabeth Carney and Beau Whitman Batchellor; sister Barbara Dyrbala (Frank) of Alexander; along with her son-n-law Gary Batchellor; her devoted friend Judy Schildwaster and many nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to call from 2:00-5:00PM on Sunday May 20, 2018 at Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street, Batavia, New York 14020. A 9:30AM Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday May 21, 2018 at Resurrection Parish 303 East Main Street, Batavia, New York 14020. She will be laid to rest in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Batavia.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alexander Outdoor Classroom, C/O Elementary Office, 3314 Buffalo St., Alexander, NY 14005. For more information please call 585-343-8260 or to leave a message of condolence please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020.

DENNIS J. WITTMAN

By Michael Tomaszewski

DENNIS J. WITTMAN ~ Age 77, of Batavia, passed peacefully at Charlotte House in N. Java, NY. He was born to the late Jerome and Evelyn (Hamilton) Wittman on June 2, 1943 in Buffalo, NY, he was also preceded in death by a brother, Allan Wittman and sisters-in-law, Jeanette Bangs and Dolores Clark.

Dennis was a graduate of Cleveland Hill High School, his undergraduate degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo, Wadham’s Hall Seminary, Ogdensburg, NY and earned his master’s degree from the University of Rochester.

He was employed for 36 years with Genesee County as a Probation Officer and in 1980 was asked by the late Sheriff, W. Douglas Call to head up a new program, Alternatives to Incarceration, which was a first in the United States with law enforcement and third such program in the United States. He began the first rural and fourth in New York State Child Advocacy Center and Multi-Disciplinary Teams serving Genesee County, as well as neighboring counties. He started the Driving While Intoxicated Conditional Discharge Program, Justice for Women Program and Team, the Western New York State Victims Coalition, he was President of the New York State Crime Victims Board Advisory Council and, Vice President of the New York State Association for Alternative Sentencing. Former Governor George Pataki appointed Dennis to the Western New York Citizens Review Panel (abused children), First Victim/Offender Reconciliation Program in New York State dealing specifically with serious/violent cases, National Institution of Corrections consultants, Office of Victims of Crime consultants, Chairman of Criminal Justice Advisory Council. Dennis represented the United States in a Bi-Lateral Summit in Japan, addressed the National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada, addressed the Canadian Parliament on Restorative Justice and traveled to forty states and the Canadian Provinces of Quebec, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and British Columbia.

Dennis recently served on the Diocese of Buffalo Sexual Abuse and Misconduct Policy Task Force. He was an Adjunct Professor at Roberts Wesleyan College and served as Town Supervisor for the Town of Bethany from 1978 to 1990. He was a faithful member of Ascension Parish in Batavia where he served as Vice President and President of the Holy Name Society, President of the Parish Council and Usher under the former Sacred Heart Parish.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Carol (Chmielowiec) Wittman of Batavia whom he married in 1971; loving daughters, Holly (Michael) Stoddard of Honeoye and Jennifer of San Antonio, TX; faithful Husky companion, Kodah; sister, Kathie (Paul) Beaulieu of Cheektowaga, NY and brother, Philip (Nancy) Wittman of Akron, NY; brother-in-law, Dr. A Steven Bangs of Long Island; sister in law, Marsha Deman of Defiance, Ohio along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great niece and nephew.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 Epidemic a Mass of Christian Burial will be announced later. Memorials in his memory may be made to Charlotte House, P.O. Box 123, 4316 Route 98, North Java, NY 14113: Ascension Parish, 17 Sumner Street, Batavia, NY 14020, or MUSH Rescue Inc, 12820 Wyngate Trail, Alpharetta, GA 30005.

Thank you to our Wednesday morning library friend, Roger Richardson. Tuesday lunch time prayer group: Marg Miller, Leta Sackett, Pastor Ken Cromer and Elder Ron. Emilie, Board of Directors, the many volunteers, weekly communion from Holy Family Polish National Church and the community at Charlotte House for the excellent care provided, to the many doctors at University of Rochester Medical Center and Rochester Regional that provided such excellent care, for their prayers and visits Rev. Father David Glassmire, Deacon Mark Kehl, Rev. Father Matthew Kawiak, Deacon Corey Foegen and especially Sue Hatrick for giving a part of herself to Dennis.

The family kindly asks people consider signing to be an organ donor. Two special people gave Dennis thirteen extra years with his family.

Please share your words of comfort with the Wittman family at www.tomaszewskifh.com

THE FAMILY OF DENNIS J. WITTMAN IS BEING CARED FOR BY THE MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK 14020 – (585)343-7500

 

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