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Out of options, Bethany Town Board seeking bids for demolition of old town hall

By Howard B. Owens
old bethany town hall
The Old Bethany Town Hall, built in 1832, is fated for demolition.
Photo by Howard Owens

Even many of Bethany's oldest residents, said Town Supervisor Carl Hyde, have come to accept the unpleasant but unavoidable and undeniable reality of the situation. The old Town Hall, built in 1832, must come down.

The town is currently accepting bids from demolition contractors.

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.

Paul Strogen

By Joshua Smith
Pic

Paul D. Strogen 81, of Daly City, California and formerly of Batavia, passed away January 29, 2023 at his home.

Mr. Strogen was born May 17, 1941 in Batavia, the son of the late Joseph P. Strogen and Elva Hyde Strogen.

Surviving are his son James Wohlford (Sherri) of Bloomsburg,PA, brother James A. Strogen (Virginia) of Sunrise Beach, MO and sister Mylynne Austgen (Wayne) of Elizabeth,CO.

Mr. Strogen was a graduate of Batavia High School where he played drums in the band and ochestra. He also was a member of the Saint Joseph Drum and Bugle Corps.

Paul served his country honorably in the United States Navy, serving on the USS Dewey and later as an electronics instructor at the Treasure Island facility of the US Navy at San Francisco.He served during the Vietnam years on a special warfare intelligence aircraft.

He was a member of the Batavia VFW as well as in San Francisco.

In later years he worked as an electrical engineer for various firms.

Mr. Strogen travelled extensively all over the world.  He especially loved to sail his own sailboat  with friends.

Special destinations for him were the Hawaiian Islands, Australia , Europe and especially Slovakia where he visited Strogen family relatives.

Mr. Strogen was a patron of the San Francisco Symphony and the San Francisco Opera and participated in folk dance in Europe and Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.  His motto was: "Music feeds my soul-Dance is my lifeblood"

He will be missed by family and a large number of friends all over the world.

Mr. Strogen's Navy Honors Memorial Service we be held at the West Bethany cemetery at 1:00 pm on Saturday June 17th, 2023.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the United States Navy Memorial, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. Ste 123, Washington,DC, 20004-2608.

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