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Pontillo v. Pontillo opens window on finances of legendary family business

By Howard B. Owens

Staggering debts -- to the government, bankers and suppliers -- appear to be what led to the closing of Batavia's most legendary pizzeria in November 2008.

At the time the restaurant closed, suppliers were possibly owed in the neighborhood of $220,000, according to a document obtained by The Batavian

Robert W. Mullen

By Joshua Smith

Stafford - Robert W. Mullen, 86, of Stafford, went home to be with his Savior on Thursday, (December 27, 2018) at The Grand Rehabilitation & Nursing at Batavia, following a lengthy illness.

Mr. Mullen was born January 26, 1932 in Batavia, a son of the late Earl W. and Terresa (Wooster) Mullen.

Easily recognizable by his trademark Stetson Cowboy Hat, Robert was a long-time member of Northgate Free Methodist Church, and recently was attending Roanoke Community Church in Stafford where he was active as the music director. 

Mr. Mullen was proud of the community in which he lived and spent most of his life living on the Mullen Family Farm in Stafford.

Bob was a farmer.  He and Helen spent three years living in Arizona where he worked as a ranch hand and the two owned a small milk store, the Ro-Kay Dairy.

When an injury prevented him from physically performing farm work, he began coursework at Roberts Wesleyan College.  After obtaining a degree in social work, Robert became a teacher with BOCES and taught special education in several school districts in Monroe County until transferring into the Churchville-Chili Schools where he retired after 22 years in 1994. 

Following his retirement, he took a part time position with BOCES of Genesee County teaching the GED Course at the Genesee Co. Jail where he had an exceptional pass rate.  This was largely due to his unique experiential style of teaching that allowed students to connect with the material in a real-world sense rather than purely hypothetical.  He retired from this position at the age of 80 after 18 years.

A proud but humble man, Bob's passions were farming, horses, and children.  He would often stop to give any child he encountered a quarter and say hello.  He was a 65+ year 4-H Leader and was instrumental in developing the 4-H Tractor and Machine Safety Program in Genesee County.  He was a long time member of the Genesee Co. Fair Board, the Stafford Grange #416, Genesee Pomona Grange #10, as well as the NYS and National Grange.  He served as a Junior Leader with the Stafford Grange. 

He was a longtime volunteer with the Salvation Army and together with Helen was proud to have been a sponsor of a child through International Childcare Ministries for many years.  He was active with the former Genesee Co. Churches United Jail Ministry.  For many years he served as the Stafford Historian and Zoning Officer and was active with the Genesee Co. Senior Foundation.

Due in no small part to all of his associations, volunteer work, and dedication to his community, it is no surprise that Bob was honored as Geneseean of the Year in 2006 by the Genesee Co. Chamber of Commerce. 

He is survived by his wife, Helen H. (Hunt) Mullen, whom he married July 12, 1953; a daughter, Jacqueline (Eladio Montalvo) Mullen of Puerto Rico; sons, Robert W. (Regina) Mullen, II of Stafford, and Richard (Debbie) Spink of CA; brothers, Theodore (late Jane) Mullen of Freeville, and Lester (Barbara) Mullen of Stafford; a sister, Nancy (James) Clarq of Phelps; a brother-in-law, Herbert (Bunnie) Call of LeRoy; sisters-in-law, Gari Mullen of NM, and Dodie Mullen of Australia.  11 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Bob is preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Jaselis Camacho; brothers, Earl William, Roy, and John Mullen; sisters, Zelda Sipher, Louise Phelps, Lyla Stephens, Eleanor McCrumb, Arlene Call, Mary Ann Mullen, and Ruth Mullen.

Friends may call on Wednesday from 10 to 1 p.m. at H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 East Main St., Batavia, where Robert’s Funeral Service will immediately follow calling at 1:00 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cornell Cooperative Extension, 4-H Tractor Certification Program, 420 East Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020.  Burial will take place in Morganville Cemetery, Stafford.

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

Mrs. Virginia R. Mullen

By Joshua Smith

Oakfield - Virginia R. Mullen, 86, of Oakfield, passed away on Thursday, June 14, 2018 at Premier Genesee Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation.

Mrs. Mullen was born September 10, 1931 in Batavia, a daughter of the late Anson and Helen Rowcliffe Speed.

A graduate of Elba Central School, Mrs. Mullen regularly attended services at East Shelby Community Bible Church. She enjoyed knitting and reading. Her greatest joy was being with her family especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Kenneth  M.  Mullen, who passed away on September 16, 2015. They were married on June 14, 1952.

She is survived by her children, Stephen (Crystal Hawley) Mullen of Batavia, Deborah (Alan) Dennis  and John (Lisa) Mullen, both of Oakfield; three sisters, Lucille (late William) Schultz and Beverly (Jack) Hillabush, both  of Elba and Jeanette (late Gerry) Grazioplene of Batavia; her sister-in-law, Nancy Speed of Elba; ten grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and several nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her brother, Roger I. Speed.

Virginia’s family wishes to extend their most sincere thank you to the Emergency Room doctors and nurses and the nurses on the 2nd floor at United Memorial Medical Center for the comfort and care which was provided to their mother.

Friends may call on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at East Shelby Community Bible Church, 5278 East Shelby Road, Medina, where services will immediately follow visitation at 11 a.m. She will be laid to rest in Maplelawn Cemetery, Elba. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Virginia’s name may be made to East Shelby Community Bible Church, 5278 East Shelby Road, Medina, New York 14103. To leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle, please visit www.burdettandsanford.com.

Arrangements for Virginia have been entrusted to the Burdett & Sanford Funeral Home, 11 Maple Avenue, Oakfield.

Law enforcement on Mullen Road, Stafford, looking for burglary suspect

By Howard B. Owens

Sheriff's deputies, State troopers and a State police helicopter have been in the area of Mullen Road in Stafford for the past 30 minutes or so looking for a possible burglary suspect.

Sgt. Greg Walker, on scene, said the original call came in with a suspect seen running from a

Search warrant executed at 3 Vine St., Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Members of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force executed a search warrant and 3 Vine St. this evening.

According to Sgt. Steve Mullen of the Genesee County Sheriff's Office four people are currently being detained pending completion of the search.

Mullen did not specify the type of drug activity believed

Lucy M. Pullen

By Ronald Konieczny

Lucy M. Pullen, 37 of Batavia, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday (January 16, 2018) at United Memorial Medical Center.

She was born January 21, 1980 in Warsaw, a daughter of Steven and Constance Kline Pullen of Batavia.

Lucy volunteered for Hands and Hearts of Warsaw. She enjoyed genealogy, cooking crocheting and singing. She had the type of personality that would just call a random family member or friend to brighten their day.  Lucy will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Surviving besides her parents, is her sister, Sandra (Terry) Rawleigh of Auburn, NY. Brothers, James Pullen and William Pullen, both of Batavia. Niece, Madelynn Rawleigh. Nephew, Alexander Rawleigh. Grandmother, Jean Kline of Batavia. Aunts and uncles, Julie Grant of Texas, Robert Pullen of Kentucky, Janice Palumbos of Utah, Debra Pendergast of Fairport, Donald Kline of Indiana, Hannah Kline of Perry, Maxine Young of Batavia, Barbara Laubacker of Strykersville, Robert Kline of Canada, Patricia Wheeler of Perry and Lilian Hashimoto of Brazil. Also survived by several cousins.

She is predeceased by her grandparents, Kenneth and Dorothy Cox and Albert and Margaret Kline. Aunt, Deborah Hackbarth and uncle and godfather, David Kline.

Friends may call Sunday (Jan. 21st) from 2-4pm at the J. LEONARD MCANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 2 BOGUE AVE., BATAVIA., where a Remembrance Service will commence at 4pm.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Peers Helping Peers, 27 W Buffalo St, Warsaw, NY 14569. Expressions of condolence 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, NY 14020. RONALD KONIECZNY II, DIRECTOR.

A flat tire, broken jack and blood on third car discussed at Scott Doll trial

By Howard B. Owens

BATAVIA, NY -- The Pontiac G6 that may have been at the heart of an alleged dispute between Scott Doll and Joseph Benaquist had a flat tire when the Sheriff's Office took it into evidence following the discovery of Benaquist's body lying in a pool of blood in his own driveway

Batavia Girls Tennis Team Cruises into Sectional Semi-Finals

By Annette Lazarevic

The 3rd seeded Batavia Girls Tennis Team posted a 5-0 win over 6th seeded Penn Yan in team sectionals yesterday. The win puts Batavia into the semi-finals vs. the winner of #2 Palmyra-Macedon vs.Midlakes/Bath, which play at 4 pm today.

Scores of each match are as follows:

1st singles-Amy Schmidt

Keith Goodwin

By Joshua Smith

Byron - Keith Goodwin, age 66, of Byron, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, April 11, 2018.

Mr. Goodwin was born November 3, 1951 in Batavia, the son of the late Orville Goodwin and Rita Wasiewaleski Goodwin. He is also preceded in death by his sister, Kathie Mulhall.

An avid hunter, fisherman and fan of horse racing, Keith was a member of the United States Trotting Association. He and his wife, Karen, are the longtime proprietors of Goodwin Farm in Byron where they have boarded race horses. Keith was a trainer and driver for many years. He was a hard working man who appreciated the simple things in life; family and friends. He lived his life doing ordinary things, extraordinarily well.

He is survived by his wife and best friend, Karen A. Mullen Goodwin, whom he married September 29, 1984; his daughter, Christine (Tim) Baker of Hilton; his grandson, Jaxon Baker of Hilton; brothers-in-law, Ron (Renee) Mullen of Oakfield and Larry Mulhall of Florida; sisters-in-law, Alice (Dan) Dollinger of Spencerport and Nancy Anderson of Arkansas; several nieces and nephews including Katrina (Salvy) Urso of Florida and Phillip Reiss of Florida. Keith is also survived by his stepmother, Marjorie Goodwin and many cousins.

Funeral services for Keith will be held on Friday at 10 a.m. at the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 East Main Street, Batavia, followed by burial in Byron Cemetery. Immediately following burial, family cordially invites all to a Celebration of Keith’s Life at the Byron Fire Hall, 6357 Townline Road from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.  If you are unable to attend funeral services, please join the family in celebrating his life at the fire hall.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials in Keith's name to Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, New York 14263. To leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle in Keith’s memory, please visit www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.

Electrical wire down on South Swan

By Howard B. Owens

A wire is reported down and arcing in the area of 229 South Swan St., Batavia.

City Fire is on scene.

National Grid has been notified.

UPDATE 8:54 a.m.: A fire captain requests that National Grid expedite its response because "we have a tree on fire here." National Grid ETA is

Man who allegedly resisted arrest gets hit with Taser

By Howard B. Owens

Batavia Police used a Taser last night to subdue a man wanted for allegedly getting in a fight earlier.

In all, police made three arrests at 17 Holland Ave.

Officers arrived on scene at 11:09 p.m. looking for 24-year-old Steven Hirsch, intending to arrest him on a charge of harassment

Business Owners Pitch In To Help ARC

By Genesee ARC News

Local business leaders during a tour of the Genesee ARC Community Center.  Pictured from left to right are: Rick Mancuso, Eva Bohn, Skip Charvella, Colleen Odessa and Steve Mullen. The group is part of a larger contingent helping to raise funds to support a new Culinary Arts Training

William D. Phelps

By Joshua Smith

Avoca/Oakfield - William D. Phelps, 70, of Avoca, formerly of Oakfield, passed away suddenly Wednesday, (September 19, 2018) at his home, in Avoca.

Mr. Phelps was born July 31, 1948 in Batavia, a son of the late Virgil E. and Louise E. (Mullen) Phelps.

He attended Oakfield-Alabama school as graduated as valedictorian of his class in 1966.  He went on to graduate from Cornell University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1970.  He was a member of the AGR fraternity and a 40 year member of the Free & Accepted Masons. 

He felt bonded to the land, and spent his entire career on Virgil E. Phelps & Sons Farms first at Judge Road in Oakfield and later in Avoca.  He served as the bookkeeper in both locations. 

Surviving is his sister, Judy (Walt) Stevenson of Madison, WI, and brothers, Donald Phelps of Riviera, FL, and Neil (Teresa) Phelps of Caledonia.  Several nieces and nephews also survive.    

There will be no visitation.  Family and Friends are invited to attend Bill’s Memorial Service at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday (September 26, 2018) at the Indian Falls United Methodist Church, 7908 Allegany Road, Corfu.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the church.  Bill will be laid to rest beside his parents in Reed Cemetery, Oakfield.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Burdett & Sanford Funeral Home, 11 Maple Ave., Oakfield.  Please leave a condolence, share a story or light a candle at www.burdettandsanford.com.

Law and Order: Pair of DWI arrests announced

By Howard B. Owens

Shawn Michael Walburn, 45, of East Main Street Road, Le Roy, is charged with: DWI; driving while ability impaired with alcohol; driving without a vehicle inspection; and speeding. Walburn was stopped at 3:07 a.m. Sunday on Main Road, Stafford, by Deputy Andrew Mullen.

Ryan Brent Callison, 41, of 14th Street, Zimmerman

Williamsville man killed after BMW collides with Bethany ambulance on Route 63

By Howard B. Owens

Investigators have yet to determine why a 2015 BMW driven by 61-year-old Syed L. Rahman, of Williamsville, crossed the center line and crashed into an ambulance from the Bethany Fire Department on Route 63 just before midnight Saturday.

Rahman was pronounced dead at the scene by Coroner Don Coleman.

A

Law and Order: For third time, man accused of pulling fire alarm at DePaul

By Howard B. Owens
      Jonathan Balaz

Jonathan P. Balaz, 41, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with falsely reporting an incident, 2nd. Balaz is accused of pulling the fire alarm at DePaul Properties, 555 E. Main St., Batavia, at 4:37 p.m. Friday when there was no fire or another emergency. (

Batavia schools showcase wikis, blogs and all that techie jazz

By Daniel Crofts

All five Batavia City schools are taking learning to a new level using the "bells and whistles" of the modern classroom.

Last night, elementary, middle and high school students got to show their parents -- and others -- what kind of work they've been doing at the district's "Technology Exposition" at Jackson Elementary School

Supporting the sponsors who support The Batavian

By Howard B. Owens

When we were first launching The Batavian one of the ways we tried to get the word out about the new site was to take out ads in the Genesee County PennySaver.

The first time I met somebody who said, "Oh, yeah, I read about you in the paper."

I was like

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