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DIANNA L. RUMBLE ~ of Batavia, age 55, died unexpectedly Saturday January 18, 2020 at the United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia. She was born in Batavia, NY on October 11, 1964, to the late Roland and Elizabeth (Andrews) Sprague.

Dianna worked at Walmart in Batavia and was a member of Godfrey’s Pond. She had a love for the outdoors especially hunting, fishing, camping always with her dog, Tundra in tow.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 27 years, Randy Rumble of Batavia; loving children, Randy (Amanda) Rumble of E. Bethany, Jeffrey Sprague of MA, Heather Gawlik of E. Amherst, Patrick Rumble of Oakfield, 6 grandchildren, siblings, Pamela (Scott) Milner of MA, Douglas Sprague of Batavia, Ronald (Michelle) Sprague of E. Bethany, Rebecca (Gene) Day of Alexander, Penny Sprague of Lockport, Jackie (Larry) Long of FL, John Sprague of Oakfield along with many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held later and memorials in her memory can be made to the family.

Please share your words of comfort with Dianna’s family at www.tomaszewskifh.com or for more information please call Michael at (585)343-7500.

THE FAMILY OF DIANNA L. RUMBLE IS BEING CARED FOR BY THE MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4210 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK 14020.

Ralph M. Torcello, 89, of Batavia, N.Y., passed away peacefully on Jan. 8, 2020 at the United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia after a brief illness.

Born on Sept. 29, 1930 and raised in Batavia, Mr. Torcello was the son of Michael C. Torcello, Sr. and Mary Torcello (Feniello). He grew up on the family farm on Creek Road in Batavia and lived there until his death.

Mr. Torcello graduated from Batavia High School in the late 1940s and was the first in his family to attend college, graduating from Buffalo State College with his B.A. in education. He served in the Army following his graduation and after his duty was completed, taught Industrial Arts to high school students in the Letchworth Central School District until his retirement.

Mr. Torcello’s passion was harness racing. During college he worked part time as a security guard at Batavia Downs and that began a lifetime of involvement in the sport that would last almost 70 years. He was an owner, trainer and driver and raced almost entirely in Western New York. 

Mr. Torcello trained and often drove his small stable of horses after getting his license in 1962. During that time he raced campaigners like Gypsy Flash, Gold Piece, Outlaw Collins and Bait The Trap. His last driving win came in 1993 in a lifetime best effort with a trotting mare named Spell Rosie followed by his last training win in 1999 with one of his better horses, What About Bob. His love of the sport spread to many in his family who later owned, trained and drove horses themselves.  

Mr. Torcello was preceded in death by nine brothers and sisters, Anna Strollo (Michael), Marie Perry (Samuel), Frances, Lawrence (Madeline), Rose, Angeline, Genevieve, Michael Jr. (Patricia) and Marcella, as well as by his nephew, Anthony M. Strollo.

He is survived by his nieces and nephews, Ann Marie Caste (Paul), of New Jersey, Michael C. Torcello (Lynn) of Delaware and Lawrence Torcello (Katie), of East Bethany, Mary Jo Dumuhosky and Ross Perry, both of Batavia, Michael L. Torcello (Deborah), of Hamburg, Ralph P. Torcello (Diane), of Pavilion and Marirose Ethington (Larry), of East Bethany. He is also survived by numerous grand-nieces and grand-nephews, as well as his longtime friend, Hiland Clark. 

Mr. Torcello was a member of Ascension Catholic Church in Batavia and a former member of the New York State Teachers’ Association and the United States Trotting Association.

There will be a mass in celebration of Mr. Torcello’s life at the Ascension Parish, 19 Sumner St. in Batavia on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020 at 11 a.m. Memorials may be made to United Memorial Hospital Foundation.

  Mary Alwardt, 83, a life-long resident of Batavia passed away on September 5, 2019. Mary was born on September 24, 1935, the daughter of the late Henry and Nellie (James) Hitchcock and was married to the late Harold Alwardt for 45 years.

Mary worked as a bookkeeper for Thomas & Dwyer Shoes in Batavia for many years before retiring in 2000.  During retirement she volunteered for several years in a kindergarten class at John Kennedy School. She was an active member of the Batavia First United Methodist Church for over 50 years, where she led youth fellowship groups, was a member of the McNabb class, took part in the many church fundraising events, and assisted members by bringing them to church services when they no longer could drive.  She and her late husband Harold were also members of the Genesee County Fish and Game Association for over 50 years, enjoying summers camping when their kids were young, and picnics with the extended family.  Mary enjoyed reading, classical music, crossword puzzles, and baking her well known pastries. Her home could often be found filled with family, friends, board games, sweets, and kind laughter.     

Survivors include her son Peter Alwardt (Gisela Scharein), her daughters Donna (Michael) Turner and Marsha (Dennis) Ball, five grandchildren; Vincent Alwardt Anderson, Erin Turner, Matthew Turner, Avery Ball and Owen Ball, as well as her sisters Doris (late Everett) Norris and Dorothy (Donald) Norris and several nieces and nephews.

There will be no prior calling hours. Mary will be laid to rest by her family in the West Bethany Cemetery.  A private service and celebration of her life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary's memory may be made to the Batavia First United Methodist Church, 8221 Lewiston Rd, Batavia, NY 14020. 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.

 

 

James W. Wright, age 84, of Perry, NY passed away on Sunday, January 19, 2020 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. He was born in Perry, NY on July 19, 1935 a son to the late Leslie H. and Doris E. (Watrous) Wright. Along with his parents he is preceded in death by his first wife: Joyce E. (Farley) Wright second wife: Marguerite T. (Hauslauer) Wright, sisters Betty Farley and Mary Kohring

Jim was a 1953 graduate of Perry High School. He went to work on the family farm raising corn, wheat, oats and alfalfa, He did custom planting, spraying, combining and silo filling for area farmers throughout Wyoming and Livingston County. In 1958 he purchased his own farm and continued to work with his father. He worked part time plowing snow for the Town of Perry and later became the Highway Superintendent for the Town of Perry in 1977. He retired from the town in 1997. He returned back to work working for Suit Kote in Buffalo where he was a lab technician and retired from there in 2013. He was very active in the community. He was a life member of the Perry Center Fire Department for over 50 years, he volunteered for the Perry Emergency Ambulance, appointed to the Town of Perry Zoning Board of Appeals, was a instructor for the hunter safety courses, and was a member of the Wyoming County Republican Committee, Wyoming County Highway Superintendents Association and Constellation Lodge #404 of the Free and Accepted Masons. He enjoyed gardening, hunting, playing cards, making wine and especially enjoyed his family.

He is survived by his wife: Shirley (Litteer) Wright whom he married on July 9, 1994, 2 daughters: Linda (Michael) Palucki of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, Colleen (Michael) Bradley of Dansville, 2 sons: Harold (Cindy) Wright and Chuck (Teresa) Wright both of Perry, 3 step-sons: Patrick (Traci) Wester of Pembroke, Jason (Becky) Bump of Pavilion, Derek (Karrie) Bump of Bethany, a sister: Lois Sliker of Leicester, brother: Lawrence (Linda) Wright of Albuquerque , New Mexico, 13 grandchildren: Jennifer (Todd) Shoemake, Kristi (Annie Giangrosso) Bradley, James Bradley, Eric Wright, Sara (Mark) Eberstein, Alex Wright, Elizabeth Wright, Austin Wester, Nick Wester, Nick Wood, Zach Wester, Maverick Bump, Mason Bump and Melanie Bump., 2 great grandchildren: Raeha Eberstein and Hailee Wester along with many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9pm on Thursday January 23, 2020 at Eaton-Watson Funeral Home, LLC. 98 North Main Street Perry New York 14530.  A Fireman’s Service will be held at 6:45pm. Funeral services will be held on Friday January 24th at 11:00am at the Funeral Home.

(In lieu of flowers) Memorial contributions can be made to Perry Center Fire Department P.O. Box 204 Perry, Suzanne’s Comfort Care Home 167 N. Main St. Perry and First Congregational Church P.O. Box 156 Perry, NY 14530.  For more information please call (585) 237-2626 or to leave a message of condolence visit www.eatonwatsonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Eaton-Watson Funeral Home, LLC. 98 North Main Street, Perry, New York 14530.