Obituaries

BATAVIA - Lucian Joseph Signore, 100, of Batavia, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at the New York State Veterans Home in Batavia. Mr Signore was born March 25, 1922 in Auburn, NY to the late Carmelo and Mary (Ciampi) Signorelli.

On November 23, 1950, he married Elizabeth Mary (Catto) Signore. She passed away on October 29, 2018, at 98, just a month before they would have celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. Together they raised three children.

Lucian was a veteran of World War II and served his country honorably in the Army during battles in Central Europe and Northern France. For his bravery and service he was awarded the Army Service Medal, Pacific Service Medal, and the WWII Victory Medal.

Lucian was an accomplished lifelong musician, and as a teenager went on the road with several regional Big Bands. He founded the Big Band of Batavia in the 1970s and for decades played saxophone with local Big Bands as well as clarinet with the Batavia Concert Band for thirty years. He loved playing with the pit bands for musicals at Batavia High School and was known for his generosity in repairing and giving instruments to student musicians.  His highly skillful hands tailored his kids’ clothes and produced many beautiful, upholstered furniture pieces for friends and neighbors.  And he was a rabid Buffalo Bills fan.

He worked for more than thirty-five years with Nationwide Insurance as a Loss Prevention Underwriter and was a parishioner of the former St. Anthony's Church, and a member of the former Loyal Order of the Moose in Batavia.

Lou is survived by his children who are ever grateful for his love and kindness; Thomas Signore of San Francisco, California, Elizabeth (Thomas) Simms of Bath, and James Signore, Ph.D. (Constance Brand) of Richmond, California, and granddaughter, Emily Simms, of Bath. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Michael (late Ramona) Signorelli, sisters Eleanor (late Joseph) Malec, and Louise (late Joseph) Janusz.

Lou will be missed by his friends, especially his Wednesday afternoon coffee group at Tim Horton’s where he said they solved all the problems of the world. For everyone who knew him, he had a welcoming demeanor, was eternally optimistic, and was always ready with a joke.

Lucian’s family would like to express their deepest appreciation for the support of Dr. Ambis, Dr. McLean, Dr. Rocha, Dr. Boyczuk, and Dr. Shah, as well as the extraordinarily caring and dedicated staff at the New York State Veterans Home in Batavia.

Family and Friends are invited to call on March 24, 2023 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 East Main Street in Batavia. Lou's Mass of Christian Burial will follow visitation at 1:00 p.m. at Ascension Parish, 19 Sumner Street in Batavia, with the Rev. Walter Szczesny officiating. Burial with military honors will be held on Saturday (March 25, 2023) at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph's Cemetery, 6020 Lake Avenue in Auburn.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Honor Flight Rochester, PO Box 23581, Rochester, New York 14692 or the New York State Veterans Home - Activities Fund, 220 Richmond Avenue, Batavia, New York 14020. Please leave a condolence, share a story, or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Batavia - Thomas  Preston  Daigler , 51  of Batavia  passed away on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia, New York.

Mr. Daigler was born Tuesday, June 1st, 1971 in Buffalo, NY a son of the late Thomas and Nancy (Simon) Daigler. 

He enjoyed watching the Buffalo Bills, and Alabama Crimson Tide. Thomas loved old country music, being in nature, mountains, walking through the woods, and animals. He was a good mechanic and enjoyed working as a handyman.  

Surviving  is his son, Preston Daigler; grandson, Kayden Daigler; parents, Thomas and Nancy Daigler; sister, Heidi Daigler, and many cousins. 

In death Thomas is reunited with his special friend, Jodi Coe.

As per the family's request there will be no services. Arrangements are under the care and direction of H. E. Turner & Co., Inc. Funeral Home. 

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

Wyoming ~ Craig Thomas Harkins, age 67, of Transit Road, passed away on Tuesday (Feb. 28, 2023) at Strong Memorial Hospital surrounded by his loving family.

     He was born April 29, 1955 in Batavia, a son of the late Francis G. Harkins and Patricia A. Whaley.

     Craig will be remembered as a very loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and dear friend.  He was a 1973 graduate of Pavilion Central School and was involved in dairy farming all his life.  In 1986, Craig established his own dairy farm, where he especially enjoyed his time working with his grandchildren.  He was a Wyoming County board member for the Town of Middlebury and enjoyed playing cards and golfing with his friends.

     He will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 49 years, Barbara Boening Harkins; sons, Thomas (Jenny) Harkins and Robert (Shanon) Harkins; grandchildren, Cooper, Addison, Jayden, Olivia and Ella; sisters, Karen (Todd Hughes) Donofrio of FL and Beth (Carl) Herman of Warsaw; sister-in-law, Linda Harkins of AZ; mother-in-law, Ruth Boening; sisters-in-law, Bonnie (Ronald) Coniber and Christine (Arnold) Logsdon, along with many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

     In addition to his parents, Craig was predeceased by his brother, Jerry Harkins and his father-in-law, Richard Boening.

     Family and friends may call on Saturday, Mar. 4 from 1 ~ 5 PM at the Falcone Family Funeral & Cremation Service Inc., 8700 Lake St. Rd. (Rt. 19), LeRoy.

     In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Craig are suggested to either the Wyoming Hook & Ladder Co., 26 Maple St., Wyoming, NY 14591 or Pavilion FFA, c/o Pavilion Central School, 7014 Big Tree Rd., Pavilion, N.Y. 14525.

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

  Joyce (Hoover) Meisner, 88, of Batavia passed away peacefully on Monday February 27, 2023 at Strong Memorial Hospital. She was born on April 17, 1934 in Batavia, a daughter of the late John and Agnes Hoover of Darien Center. In addition to her parents, Joyce is predeceased by her husband; Robert D. Meisner; grandson David McCarthy; siblings William, Harvey and Robert Hoover, June Leonard and Jean Swanson.  

Joyce was a self-employed hairstylist for over 60 years. She and her husband owned and operated North Vine Beauty Salon as well as Elite Beauty Salon and Miss Joyce Hairstylist

She was an accomplished artist and was involved in the local Arts Council for many years. As a lover of all animals, dogs were her favorite and she was able to capture their likenesses in several portraits. She kept “old fashioned fun” alive with her children and grandchildren, playing dress-up, arts and crafts, games and an annual New Year’s Eve sleepover. Artistic talent beyond the canvas, she was famous for her off the wall culinary concoctions. She and her family traveled extensively across the country and to Alaska, but their favorite destination was at “camp” in the Adirondacks.  

She was active in the community and enjoyed Bingo. Often times she was the one driving the “Bingo Bus” to ensure her non-driving friends we able to participate.   

She is survived by her children; Mary (Michael) McCarthy of Batavia, Paul (Kathy Wojtas) Meisner of Lancaster, Don (Dottie) Meisner of San Antonio, Texas; her grandchildren, Joe Pastore, Stephanie Pastore, Brian (Kristine) McCarthy, Lori (Stan) Sauls, Sarah (Greg) Emerson, Christina (Gabe) Rosas, Alicia (Byron) Clark, Brandon (Abby) Meisner and Ellee Meisner; several great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her loving sister and best friend; Patricia Keene whom she also worked with for over 60 years.

Friends are invited to call on from 10:00AM – 12:00PM on Thursday March 2, 2023 at Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 West Main Street Batavia, New York 14020, where a 12:00PM Funeral Service will immediately follow at the Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the David McCarthy Memorial Foundation 5016 Terry Hills Dr. Batavia, NY 14020. To leave messages 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.