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Joan D. (Waclawski) Torcello, 96, beloved wife of the late Ralph F. “Rick” Torcello, died June 1, 2020 at Crest Manor Nursing Home in Fairport, NY.  Mrs. Torcello was born February 8, 1924, a daughter of the late Anthony and Anna Waclawski of Bethany Center & Buffalo, NY.  She was a Business Major graduate in 1941 from Riverside High School in Buffalo and upon graduation, worked first as an aircraft riveter and then as account clerk at Bell Aircraft Corporation. 

During WWII Joan moved to Washington, D.C. to work as an account clerk with the Navy Department and later for the Veteran’s Administration in D.C. and in Buffalo after the war.   She and Rick were married on October 19, 1946 after his discharge from the Naval Armed Guard that year.

Joan continued to be employed over the years in accounting and office management for Roy Porter Produce & Brokerage in Elba for over 12 years.  She retired from the Batavia Holiday Inn in 1986 after 14 years as their bookkeeper and accountant.  Over her lifetime she was a member of the Stafford Planning Board, the Republican Stafford and County Committees, the Byron-Bergen PTA, serving as president, and the Byron Bergen Advisory and Educational Study Committees.

She enjoyed volunteering at the St. Jerome Hospital Gift Shop and the Batavia Senior Center.  She also participated as a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Glenn S. Loomis Post #332, Batavia American Legion.  With her husband, she was an avid summer Silver Lake camper and loved showing their antique automobiles at area car shows.  A devout Catholic, she was a member of Ascension Parish/Sacred Heart Church and former member of the Altar & Rosary Society.

She is survived by her four children, Patricia A. (Joseph) Catalina of Valatie, NY; Marcia A. (Joseph) Rice of Pittsburgh, PA; Ronald R. (Mary Cain) Torcello of Churchville, NY; and Robin J. (Stephen) Hodownes of Honeoye Falls, NY; eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by sisters Mary Dombrowski, Sophie Adolf, Stella Kawacz, Frances Polec, Julia Slusar, Helen Hunt and Josephine Mager, and by brothers Joseph Waclawski, John Waclawski and Walter Waclawski.

Private services and funeral mass will be held at the convenience of the family. Interment will be in St. Joseph’s cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Mass cards or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at: www.mcandrewfuneralhomes.net.

ARRANGEMENTS WERE ENTRUSTED TO THE J. LEONARD McANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 2 BOGUE AVE., BATAVIA, NY14020. RONALD KONIEZNY II, DIRECTOR.

 

 

Batavia ~ Dawn Marie (Palmer) Piasta, age 67, passed away at home on Thursday, February 23, 2023.

   

  She was born October 8, 1955, in Cuba NY to the late Francis Palmer and Barbara Harter, and later, Don Bradford, her step-father. Dawn was the oldest of six children; Joel, Kit, Carrie, Marge, and Joyce. Dawn is predeceased by her brother, Joel and survived by the rest of the siblings. Dawn had four children whom she is survived by; Bethany Palmer, Michael Piasta, April Palmer and Ceciely Palmer along with two grandchildren; Bianca Gregory and Ava Freeman.

     Dawn enjoyed reading and was an avid gardener, as well as a phenomenal quilter, spending a lot her free time sewing . She loved the outdoors and had a special place in her heart for animals, once saving 4 baby squirrels in her front yard. Dawn also enjoyed cooking and baking, a wonderful talent of hers. She was a resilient woman and cared deeply in her own way for those around her.

     Information regarding services will be shared at the discretion of the family. 

     Your memories and condolences may be shared with Dawn’s family at www.falconefuneralhome.com.

Batavia - Clarence Lathan, 86 of Batavia passed away on Monday, March 20, 2023 at United Memorial Medical Center. Surrounded by his loving family.

Clarence was born Saturday, February 20th, 1937 in Batavia, a son of the late Fred and Mildred (Hirsch) Lathan.

He enjoyed fishing, golf, gun shows, auctions, and spending time with friends and family. 

Clarence graduated from Alexander High school in 1955 and later married the love of his life, Judy Bortle, on May 28, 1971. He worked for many local farms and as a diesel mechanic for many years, finally retiring from Jones mechanical in Caledonia.

Clarence is survived by his wife, Judy Lathan; children, Calvin Lathan, Ron (Tammy) Lathan of Silver Lake, Kathy Lathan of Virginia, Stan (Lisa) Mosher of LeRoy, Colleen (Tim) Miller of Fillmore, and Karen (Jim) Perry of Corfu; 10 grandchildren, several great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

In death Clarence is reunited with his parents, Fred and Mildred Lathan; siblings, Lloyd Lathan, Norman Lathan, and Dorothy Staba.

Family and friends are invited to call on Saturday, March 25, 2023 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at H.E. Turner & Co., Inc. Funeral Home, Batavia. Clarence's funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at H.E. Turner & Co., Inc., Batavia.  Burial will be in West Bethany Cemetery immediately following the funeral service.

Please leave a condolence, share a story, or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.