Obituaries

On Thursday, January 26th, 2023, V.R. (Jim) DiSalvo, loving husband and father of five, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at age 85. Jim was born June 19, 1937, in Batavia, NY to the late Salvatore and Mary Kathleen (Miller) DiSalvo. Jim was an avid motorcyclist, businessman, and lover of all things Christmas.

After a tour of duty in the Navy during the mid-'50s, Jim returned home to Western New York, where he excelled professionally in various industries, including the chemicals industry, horse racing, motorcycle racing, and the printing industry. During that time, he also promoted the first-ever WERA Grand National Finals in West Palm Beach, FL, in 1977.

In 1980, Jim made his mark on the printing industry when he founded Applied Business Systems, Inc. with his wife, Connie DiSalvo. ABS would become a leader in Variable Data Digital Printing, as it remains to this day.

In the motorcycle racing world, Jim will be remembered as an accomplished flat tracker and roadracer in his own right, as well as an owner of Team America Gran Prix Racing, a team that won races across the United States and internationally in Europe, and as the manager of his son Jason DiSalvo's professional career in racing.

Jim's love of Christmas was manifested every year at his home on Fargo Road in Stafford, NY. His display included over 150 animated and static lighted figurines and over 1 million lights that would draw thousands of visitors to the property every Christmas season.

Jim is survived by and missed by his wife of 42 years, Connie (Tuttobene) DiSalvo; children Pam DiSalvo of Batavia, Tim DiSalvo of Azusa, CA, Steven (Karen) Samis of LeRoy, Lisa (Dan) Ormsbee of Stafford, and Jason (Bethany) DiSalvo of Stafford. He is forever cherished and remembered by his six grandchildren Ashlee DiSalvo, Katelyn Samis, Stephany Samis, Zach Samis, Romeo DiSalvo, and Romilly DiSalvo; his brothers, the late Ronald (Rose) DiSalvo of Batavia and Samuel (late Vida) DiSalvo of Batavia; and sisters, Florence (Joe) Condidorio of LeRoy and Kitty (late Louie) Severino of Highland Heights, Ohio.

Calling hours are Tuesday (January 31) from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 East Main Street, Batavia.  Jim's Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday (February 1) at 10:00 a.m. at Ascension Parish, 15 Sumner Street in Batavia.  He will be laid to rest with military honors at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Batavia.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Stafford Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 56, Stafford, NY 14143 or to the United Memorial Medical Center Foundation, Attention: Lori Atari, 127 North Street, Batavia, NY 14020.

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

Batavia ~ Samuel Joseph Patri Jr., age 85, passed away at the NYS Veterans Nursing Home on Friday morning, January 27, after a short illness.

     Sam was born in Batavia on September 15, 1937 to the late Samuel Joseph Patri Sr. and Rose Marshall Patri.  He was affectionately named “Babe” by his family because he was the youngest.

     Sam attended Batavia City Schools through his Junior high school year.  He then attended his Senior year and graduated from Notre Dame.  He went to work at Sylvania Products until they closed.  During this time, he also enlisted in the Army.  His military service included; one year in the Army National Guard in Batavia; two years active duty in Berlin, Germany; five years in the Army Reserves in Batavia and then four years in the Army National Guard Reserves, Special Forces in W. Virginia.

     He earned an Associates Degree at Genesee Community College and went on to work for the New York State Department of Corrections as a Corrections Officer and retired after 21 years of service.  He was awarded a plaque from the State because he never missed a day of work in those 21 years.

     Sam is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Eileen Patri; step-family, Odette (Glenn) McClurg of LeRoy, Robert (Christina) Brydges of LeRoy; grandchildren, Shane McClurg, Tyler McClurg, Austin Brydges and Ella Brydges; nephews, Joseph Fisk of AZ, Michael McCahera of AZ, John McCahera of AZ; Niece, Rita McCahera of FL; cousins, Marilyn Harris, Dean Harris and many other cousins; brothers-in-law, Frank (Nancy) Howard and Lawrence Howard; sisters-in-law, Ethel Stephenson and Dorothy (Randy) Roth.

     Sam is predeceased by his brother, Norfe Patri; sister and brother-in-law, Anna (John) McCahera and his niece, Ann Marie McCahera.

     Sam enjoyed travelling with Mary to the Bahamas and spending time with the family, especially holiday gatherings and picnics. He also enjoyed fishing with his brother, cousins and nephew.  He and Mary loved flower gardening and spending time outdoors.  Through the years, Sam rescued many cats as well.   He will be dearly missed.

     Family and friends are invited to attend Sam’s Rite of Christian Burial on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 11:00 AM at Resurrection Parish, St. Mary’s Church, 18 Ellicott Street, Batavia, N.Y.  He will be laid to rest in the Western New York National Cemetery.

     In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Sam are suggested to Volunteers for Animals of Batavia, 3841 West Main St. Rd., Batavia, N.Y. 14020

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

Sharon A. Fickel, 71, of Batavia, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 26, 2023, at United Memorial Medical Center.

Sharon was born on January 11, 1952, in Batavia, a daughter of the late Robert and Gert Snell. She was the sister of the late Diane Snell and Robert Snell, Jr., and aunt of the late Justin Snell.

Sharon loved westerns and just spending time with her family. 

Sharon is survived by her husband of 45 years, John Fickel; her sons, John (Candice Wells) Fickel and Kevin (Tiffany Sprague) Fickel; her grandchildren, Mya, Mateo, Madison, Hailey, Mason, Mackenzie and Kameron; great granddaughter, Ay`lanni; her siblings, Beth (Rob) McWilliams, John Snell, Tim (Patti Burleson) Snell, Cathie (Steve) Urciuoli, Patricia (Dale) Wells, Terri (Tim Luttrell) Snell and Dennis (Wendy) Snell. Many nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

Family and friends may call Sunday, January 29th from 4 to 7 p.m. at the C. B. Beach & Son Mortuary, Inc., 4 East Main Street, Corfu, NY. Funeral services will be held from the mortuary at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 30th. Burial will be in Evergreen Hill Cemetery, Corfu, NY.

Richard R. (Dick) Ferraro, July, 7 1937 – January 22, 2023

Son of the late Joseph and Donna (Verbanoff) Ferraro, brother to the late Joseph G. Ferraro, loving husband to the late Judith (Jackson) Ferraro passed away Sunday, January 22, 2023 at the age of 85 at United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia, NY.

Richard was an Engineer by trade. In his younger years he was a well-known musician in the Buffalo, NY area playing the organ with the Burgundy Bishops. Dick loved children, and together with his wife Judith opened their home to many Foster Children throughout the years. He enjoyed amusement parks and roller skating.

Richard leaves behind his Sister Christine D. (Carl) Kustreba, daughters, Kimberly (Scott) Donnelly, Tami (Dennis) Barren, Jennifer ( Antonio) Rivera, and Erycka (Thomas) Kosinski, Sons, Russell J., Richard J. (Cindy), and Paul (Penny), Grandchildren, Nicole, Christian, Chelsey, Seth (Katy), Eric (Olivia), Courtney(Colin), and Paul, many great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Helen(Edward) Zelinski, and several nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his best friend, “Buddy” a pug mix.

There will be no calling hours or funeral services.