batavia

Batavia City School residents are invited to ask questions and share concerns this week about a proposed pump replacement for $57,583.52.

A hearing to review the replacement of condensate pumps at Batavia Middle School, and a related transfer of funds from the Repair Reserve Fund, has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at the Batavia High School library, 260 State St., Batavia.

A condensate pump is a specific type of pump used to extract the water produced in heating, cooling or refrigeration equipment, such as furnaces and air conditioners. The city’s Board of Education is expected to vote on the proposed project contract and transfer of funds during the regular board meeting to follow. Anyone wanting to speak during the hearing may sign up before it begins, and speakers are limited to three minutes each. 

District residents also have an opportunity to address more general district concerns or ask questions at the beginning of the regular meeting. Agenda items include board votes on contracts or memorandums of agreement with Firland Management/Batavia Ice Arena to allow use by Batavia Notre Dame United Hockey Team for practices and games; Notre Dame Board of Directors for interscholastic boys and girls swimming; and the school districts of Pembroke and Byron-Bergen for shared opportunities and resources for Winterguard. 

Additional agreements to be voted on include those with Attica Central School District for interscholastic wrestling and for the professional services of Kimberly Gingrich for bilingual psycho-educational evaluations.

The agenda also includes presentations from Middle School Interim Principal Nate Korzelius, Business Administrator Scott Rozanski, Interim Superintendent Scott Bischoping, and Student Ex-Officio Kylie Tatarka.

Summary reports from the committees on Special Education and Preschool Special Education and board votes on resignations and appointments of several teacher aides SOAR staff members, long-term substitute teachers and bus, breakfast duty, detention, athletic, custodial, and Nutritional Services positions.

These meetings will be live-streamed via YouTube.com at  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8JI99xyBJt1sGdRzmCW2Kg

On the afternoon of what was originally a co-defendant trial, Jacob Sponaugle, facing multiple felony counts, found himself sitting with only his attorney at the defense table as the man he is accused of shooting told the jury of how a gun deal went bad outside the Days Inn in Batavia on July 22, 2020.

Jason Whitehead's testimony corroborated the earlier testimony of Crystal Shultz, Sponaugle's ex-girlfriend, and put the .32 caliber handgun in Sponaugle's hand with Sponaugle pulling the trigger.

Sponaugle is charged with attempted murder, assault, 1st; criminal use of a firearm; aggravated criminal possession of a weapon, 2nd; criminal possession of a weapon, 2nd; and criminal sale of a firearm, 3rd.

After today's lunch break, District Attorney Lawrence Friedman informed County Court Judge Charles Zambito that Sponaugle's co-defendant, Devon Wright, had agreed to accept a plea offer that would limit his prison term to 10 years and allow him to be released under the supervision of Genesee Justice while awaiting sentencing, presumably so he can be present for the birth of his first child, who is expected to arrive any day.

Wright entered a guilty plea of attempted criminal possession of a weapon, the top charge stemming from the July 22 incident, first-degree attempted assault, a Class C violent felony, and criminal sexual act in the second degree, a Class D violent felony.

Whitehead was first asked to describe a series of text messages he said he received from Sponaugle on the evening of the shooting.  Sponaugle wanted to know if Whitehead was interested in buying a handgun from him.  He sent pictures and video telling Whitehead the gun had been owned by "an old dude" and that it was a "clean gun."  

Sponaugle wanted $400 for the gun.  Whitehead offered $300.  Sponaugle said $350 was the lowest he could go.

Whitehead testified that he decided he could pay the $350 if he could sell it to his "main man" (identified as Wright) for $450.  

So Whitehead set up a meeting with Wright at the Days Inn and Sponaugle picked up Whitehead at his residence on Shady Lane. 

Schultz was with the two men when they drove to the hotel.

Once there, an argument broke out between Sponaugle and Wright over the asking price of the gun, Whitehead said.  At that point, he said he stopped talking and let the two men hash it out.

Eventually, Sponaugle walked away.  As he did, Whitehead testified, Sponaugle turned around, said, "this is all your fault" and shot him.

Whitehead testified that the bullet from the .32 caliber gun remains lodged in his spine. It would do more harm than good, he said doctors told him.  As a result, he is daily in pain and can't lay on his back when he wants to sleep.

Under questioning from defense attorney Joseph Lobosco, Whitehead admitted to prior heroin and cocaine use but said his use didn't alter his mental state but instead prevented him from getting sick.  He said he's been clean for a year.

Before Whitehead took the stand in the afternoon, Schultz completed her testimony, which primarily consisted of cross-examination by Lobosco, who pressed Schultz on differing versions of events in two depositions she gave to detectives with Batavia PD.  

In the first one, she said she didn't know what happened with the gun and in the second, she described in detail Sponaugle's alleged attempt to get rid of the weapon.

The differences could be explained, she said, because before Sponaugle was arrested she was afraid of him.  Once he was in custody, she said, she didn't fear him and so gave detectives a full accounting of what happened with the gun (it was, she said in the morning, put in a can of paint and given to another person). 

After Whitehead's testimony, Kevin Wolff, a supervisor at the Genesee County Jail took the stand to authenticate four recordings made at the jail -- all calls are recorded and all inmates are told they are recorded, Wolff said -- between Sponaugle and Schultz, Sponaugle and his mother,  Sponaugle and an acquaintance, and Sponaugle and his sister.

The calls contain incriminating statements by Sponaugle, most notably in the call with Schultz in which she tells Sponaugle that "I had to tell them everything."  

Sponaugle clearly did not like hearing that and questioned Schultz on why she would do that to him.

"You let them scare you into writing a statement," Sponaugle is heard saying on the call. 

He told her she didn't see anything (earlier she testified she did see the actual shooting).

"What you did was totally unnecessary," Sponaugle said. "It's going to be bad for me."

This is Friedman's final trial at the end of a 40-year prosecutorial career and, at the start of the trial at least, the first with two co-defendants.

Testimony resumes at 9 a.m., Wednesday morning.

Members of the Oatka Creek Watershed Committee and the Black Creek Watershed Coalition attended a celebration of contributions George Squires has made to protect and improve the health of our watersheds in western New York. George has recently retired from the volunteer committees. He was instrumental in the formation of the committees and getting different municipalities to work together to protect our water resources. If you would like more information or to support our local watersheds please visit, Oatka Creek Watershed Committee and Black Creek Watershed Coalition

One of two men on trial over a gun-sale deal gone bad outside the Days Inn in Batavia on July 22, 2020, has agreed to plead guilty on multiple charges stemming from this case and several others in exchange for a sentence cap of 10 years in prison.

Devon Wright is charged in the Days Inn case with attempted criminal possession of a weapon 2nd and attempted criminal possession of a weapon 3rd.

As part of the deal, Wright will admit to attempted criminal possession of a weapon 2nd.  He is also pleading guilty to assault in the third degree, a misdemeanor, attempted assault 1st, a Class C Violent Felony, and criminal sexual act, also a felony.

In exchange, all other pending charges against Wright will be dropped.

Over the past two years, Wright has been arrested multiple times.

Yesterday, he failed to appear in court to start his trial in the Days Inn case, missing the jury selection process. This morning, his attorney, Nathan Pace, said he stayed with his girlfriend who isexpecting a child any day and Wright wishes to be present at his child's birth.

As part of the plea deal, Friedman has agreed to allow Wright to be released under the supervision of Genesee Justice while Wright awaits sentencing.

While Wright will have a curfew, he will be able to go to the hospital for the birth of his child.

In the Days Inn trial, Jacob Sponaugle is Wright's co-defendant.

Sponaugle is charged with attempted murder, assault, 1st; criminal use of a firearm; aggravated criminal possession of a weapon, 2nd; criminal possession of a weapon, 2nd; and criminal sale of a firearm, 3rd.

In his opening statement this morning, District Attorney Lawrence Friedman explained to the jury his theory of what happened the night of July 22 outside the Days Inn when Jacob Sponaugle allegedly shot Jason Whitehead in an apparent gun-sale deal gone bad.

According to Friedman, Sponaugle and Whitehead met up, with Sponaugle's girlfriend at the time, Crystal Schultz, in the car and drove to the Days Inn to try and sell Devon Wright a .22 pistol. 

When Wright wouldn't pay the asking price, Sponaugle walked away from the meeting and then allegedly turned around, told Whitehead, "It's your fault" and shot him.

The first witness called in the trial was Schultz, who testified that after Whitehead was shot, he let out a "blood-curdling scream." 

Schultz's testimony for the order of events before the shooting matched the case previously laid out by Friedman.   

After the alleged shooting, Schultz said he and Sponaugle drove back to the garage they were living in on Montclair Avenue.  In the car, she said, Sponaugle admitted to shooting Whitehead.

She said when she told him, "This isn't Chicago, it's not a rap song," Sponaugle said he didn't know why he shot Whitehead.

Back at the garage, he tried washing the gunpowder off his hands and wrapped the gun in cloth, and threw it up on the roof of the garage.  He then spoke to somebody on the phone and decided to get the gun off the garage roof. He used a ladder to retrieve it and then placed the gun in a can of paint.  

Sometime later, somebody drove to the residence and Sponaugle walked out of the garage with two paint cans. He returned with none. Later, Schultz found a paint can on the driveway, and she said she believed Sponaugle gave the paint can wth the gun in it to the driver of the car.

The weapon has never been recovered.

This will be Friedman's last case he prosecutes at trial before his retirement on Dec. 9.   This morning, Friedman, who has been with the DA's office for 40 years, told The Batavian that this was also the first two-defendant trial he's ever tried.

Devon Wright, a multi-time arrestee over the past two years who has remained mostly free during that time, failed to appear in Genesee County Court at 9 a.m. as ordered for the start of a trial with co-defendant Jacob Sponaugle.

The two men are accused of being part of an apparent gun-sale deal gone bad at the Days Inn in Batavia on July 22 that left one of the three participants wounded.

Wright is charged with attempted criminal possession of a weapon 2nd and attempted criminal possession of a weapon 3rd.

Sponaugle is charged with attempted murder, assault, 1st; criminal use of a firearm; aggravated criminal possession of a weapon, 2nd; criminal possession of a weapon, 2nd; and criminal sale of a firearm, 3rd.

District Attorney Lawrence Friedman said the court waited for two hours for Wright to show and then began jury selection without him.  By 5 p.m., the court had impaneled a 12-person jury with four alternates, Friedman said.

A warrant was issued for Wright's arrest.

At around 7 a.m., Friedman said he was informed that Wright was in custody and is expected to appear before Judge Charles Zambito at 9 a.m.

Opening statements are expected to begin at 9:30 a.m.

UPDATE 10:28 a.m.: Dressed in a white T-shirt, sweat pants, and jail crocs, and shackled, Devon Wright appeared before Judge Zambito at about 10 a.m. while his attorney, Nathan Pace, made a petition on behalf of his client that his absence from court yesterday be excused and that Wright be allowed to leave the trial at some point to attend the birth of his first child. Pace said Wright's girlfriend had been expecting to give birth on Nov. 12 but has yet given birth and that Wright stayed with her yesterday so he could be with her when the child is born.

Neither Friedman nor Zambito bought Wright's excuse. Both noted that Wright had sent text messages yesterday saying he was on his way and one that said he had arrived and both statements were untrue.  Both noted that Wright has a history of missing court appearances.  Zambito ordered Wright held but indicated he would consider a petition for him to visit his child if the child is born during the trial.  

Once that hearing was over, Wright was not ready for trial because the clothes brought to him at the jail didn't fit so his sister drove to a local store to buy him new clothes.  

Opening statements should begin shortly.

Batavia City School District’s newly hired superintendent was chosen, in part, for neatly fitting into some of the criteria suggested by community members during the interview process, Board of Education President Alice Benedict says.

Jason Smith, a 1990 Batavia High School graduate and city resident, will be shortening his commute come Jan. 3, 2022. Smith is currently superintendent of Lyndonville Central School, and was officially approved by the board during a special meeting Monday evening. 

“One of the things we heard from the community was that they really wanted someone who was a hometown person,” Benedict said to The Batavian after Monday’s special meeting. “And that he’s not using the district as a stepping stone. He’s a very straightforward person, we think he’s going to be a big asset and are excited to have him here.”

Smith has worked his way from high school social studies teacher to principal to superintendent in Albion, Elba, Lyndonville, and now Batavia City Schools. His experience and track record spoke loudly to the board, Benedict said, including when he first applied for a vacant superintendent position in Batavia. Competition was fierce, and Anibal Soler Jr. was chosen during that search. Smith returned a second time to interview after Soler left the district in July 2021. 

“We’re happy he came back,” Benedict said. “He’s excited to be back as superintendent at the district where he graduated.”

Smith thanked the board for “entrusting me with this tremendous opportunity.” Batavia is a very special place for him, he said. 

“I look forward to working alongside the incredible and inspiring students, staff, and community members, he said in a news release. “I can’t wait to hit the ground running in the new year.”  

During the meeting, Benedict thanked Genesee Valley BOCES Superintendent Kevin MacDonald for his guidance and help during the search process. She also gave a grateful nod to the board.

“I want to thank the board for their eagerness and patience,” she said, turning to her colleagues. “I appreciate your honesty, opinions, and steadfast aim to find the right superintendent for this school district.”

Scott Bischoping has been filling in as interim superintendent until a permanent choice was made. The process took time, energy, and coordination to involve not only board members, but district and community members as well, Benedict said.

“I’m just relieved the process is over,” she said. 

Smith began his career in 1994 in the Albion Central School District as a high school social studies teacher had various principal positions at Elba Central School from 2004 to 2011, and has been at Lyndonville Central from 2011 to present.

He received his Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Administration and his Masters of Science in Education from the State University of New York College at Brockport. He is also a graduate of The State University of New York at Geneseo, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in History with a Minor in Sociology.

Smith’s contract includes a yearly salary of $165,000.

The City of Batavia will hold a gathering for the Honorable Rose Mary Christian on Monday November 22, 2021 in the Council Chamber beginning at 5:30 P.M.  All citizens and well-wishers are invited to attend.  The gathering will be followed by a City Council meeting where proclamations will be presented to Councilwoman Christian honoring her for her years of service.  Light refreshments will be served. 

Councilwoman Christian announced her resignation from City Council on November 15, 2021.  She is resigning the seat because she is moving out of the sixth ward. 

“After serving the residents of the City of Batavia as the sixth Ward Council Member for over 29 years I cannot thank the residents enough for their support.  Their commitment to the City of Batavia and prosperity to the neighborhood has remained steadfast.  It is with a very heavy heart that I resign my seat, but I feel confident that I have worked each day to make the lives of residents in Batavia better.  I wish my fellow Council Members well in their pursuit of good government and improving Batavia,” said Christian, City of Batavia Councilwoman- sixth ward.  

Councilwoman Christian has served as the sixth ward representative since 1992.  She has always been accessible to her constituents and Batavia citizens citywide. 

“I wish Councilwoman Christian the very best in her retirement from City Council.  She has been a staunch advocate of neighborhood initiatives and bringing resources into the sixth ward.  On behalf of all of the City Council Members I wish her the very best in the coming years,” said Eugene Jankowski, City of Batavia, City Council President.

Council Member Christian is a true public servant, performing honorable advocacy for the residents and community of Batavia and those who live in her Ward,” said Genesee County Legislator Rochelle Stein.  I commend Rose Mary Christian on her 30 plus years of elections, hard-won city initiatives over the years, and compassion for her voters in this much-beloved City of Batavia.  Best wishes for a full, healthy, and fun retirement.  Her continuity of knowledge shall be missed, yet surely she will stay engaged on City issues.  Well Done Rose Mary Christian, Well Done.

“Rose Mary Christian has been a good neighbor and exemplary public servant throughout her nearly 30-year career. She’s been steadfastly dedicated to making Batavia the best place to live and work it can be. While I wish her well in the next chapter of her life and career, she will be sorely missed by those she represented, who will remember her as a fierce advocate for working Batavians,” said Assemblyman Steve Hawley. 

Press release:

The Genesee County Health Department is seeking information about the location of two dogs and the owner(s) following a dog bite incident around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 9. A group of individuals were playing outside in the area of 16 Maple Street in Batavia when two dogs came running towards the group from the direction of Evans and Thorpe Street. One of the dogs charged the group and bit one individual. 

The dog that bit one of the individuals in the group is described as a medium-sized, dark tan dog with a white chest. The dog was a shorthaired, pitbull shepherd mix and approximately 50 to 60 pounds.

The other dog was described as a light tan, shorter-sized dog who was approximately 40 to 50 pounds.

After the incident, the dogs headed back in the direction of Evans and Thorpe Street in Batavia.

It is important to locate the dog to determine whether or not it is current on its rabies shot. If the health status is not identified, post-exposure rabies shots will be offered to the victim.    

If you have information about the location of the dogs and its owner(s), please contact the Genesee County Health Department at 585-344-2580 ext. 5555.

Press release:

On November 16, 2021, members of the Oatka Creek Watershed Committee and the Black Creek Watershed Coalition are inviting you to attend a celebration of the contributions George Squires has made to protect and improve the health of our watersheds in western New York.   Earlier this year, George retired from his volunteer position as Executive Secretary for the Black Creek Watershed Coalition, a position he had held since the formation of the organization in 2002. George was also involved with the formation of the Oatka Creek Watershed Committee in 1998 and he served on the Committee’s Board of Directors from 2004 to 2018.

We will be meeting at DeWitt Recreation Area, 115 Cedar Street, Batavia, NY 14020 in Batavia at 1:30 PM to recognize George and to dedicate a Bur Oak tree in his honor.  Please park at the south entrance parking area.

Please share this notice with others who know George and may want to join us.  If you would like to say a few words about George’s work or have any questions, please contact Peter Lent at lent@frontiernet.net  so we can allocate timing for the event.  If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we will move event to 11/17/2021, at the same time and place.

Eric A. Spikes, 44, no permanent address, is charged with assault 2nd, two counts of burglary 2nd, menacing 3rd, and endangering the welfare of a child. Spikes is accused of physically attacking and injuring another person during an incident on Aug. 26 at 12:17 a.m. on North Lyon Street, Batavia, where multiple children were present.  He was arrested on a warrant. He was arraigned in City Court and jailed without bail.

Katherine Jessica Vail, 29, of Griswold Road, Bergen, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and reckless endangerment 2nd.  Vail is accused of driving drunk and striking a pedestrian and his dog at 6:11 p.m., Saturday, on South Lake Road, Bergen.  VAil was released on an appearance ticket.

Jeffery Michael Johnson, 33, of Lake Street, Le Roy, is charged with DWI Drugs and driving left of the pavement markings.  Johnson was stopped at 3:46 a.m., Saturday, on Main Road, Stafford, by Deputy David Moore.  He was released on an appearance ticket.

Jonathan Micahel Reed, 28, of Lake Street Road, Le Roy, is charged with two counts of sex offender failure to report a change of address/status within 10 days. Reed is accused of failure to register a new internet service provider and account within 10 days.  He was arraigned in Town of Le Roy Court and jailed without bail.

Aaron Michael Reagan Hatt, 25, of Federal Drive, Batavia, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs, DWI, driving without a license, and failure to signal.  Hatt was stopped at 2:13 a.m, Sept. 19, on Wortendyke Road, Batavia, by Deputy Morgan Ewert. Hatt was released on an appearance ticket.

Zachary James Chittenden, 34, of Boyce Road, Pembroke, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and no or inadequate plate lamps.  Chittenden was stopped at 2:38 a.m., Sunday, on Hartshorn Road, Batavia, by Deputy Zachary Hoy.

Philip M. Escobar, 32, of Kirvin, Texas, was arrested on a bench warrant for alleged failure to appear in Batavia City Court.  He was arraigned in City Court and released on his own recognizance.

Mark B. Havens, 59, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 3rd, assault 3rd, and grand larceny 4th. Havens is accused of striking another person in the face causing injury and taking the person's mobile phone, and damaging a computer during an incident reported at 3:40 p.m., Nov. 7, at an address on Liberty Street, Batavia.  Havens was arraigned in City Court and released on his own recognizance.

Jason L. Johnson, 39, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Johnson was reportedly involved in a physical altercation with another person at a business on East Main Street at 11:58 p.m., Nov. 5, and when police identified Johnson, they arrested him on charges from an unrelated incident.  He was allegedly found in possession of crack cocaine and a broken crack pipe in his jean pocket.

Jaequele M. Tomlin, 26, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 3rd.  Tomlin is accused of damaging property on Watson Street during an incident reported at 10:24 a.m., Nov. 4.  She was arraigned in City Court and released on her own recognizance.

Paul A. Inostroza, 30, of Batavia, is accused of criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, reckless endangerment 2nd, attempted assault 2nd, and harassment 2nd. Inostroza allegedly attacked another person at 12:50 a.m., Sept. 5, at a location on East Main Street, Batavia.  He was arraigned in City Court and released under supervision.

Erik Pokornowski, 30, of Byron, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08, failure to stop at a stop sign, and moving from lane unsafely.  Pokornowski was stopped at 1 a.m., Oct. 30 on East Main Street, Batavia, by a Batavia police officer.  He was released on an appearance ticket.

Gilberto N. Natal, 33, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Natal allegedly grabbed another person during an argument and threw the person to the ground in an incident reported at 3:45 p.m., Oct. 27, on South Lyon Street, Batavia.  Natal was arraigned in City Court and released on his own recognizance. 

Timothy M. Henry, 26, of Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny.  Henry is accused of stealing $74.54 in merchandise from the Walmart in Warsaw. He was arrested by State Police and released on an appearance ticket.

Michael P. Jansma, 32, of Attica, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Jansma was stopped by State Police at 9:45 p.m., Saturday, in the Town of Pembroke. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Crystal S. Duncan, 36, of Batavia, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Duncan was stopped by State Police at 10:26 p.m., Friday, in the Town of Batavia. Duncan was released on an appearance ticket.

Allyson P. Lawrence, 27, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Lawrence was arrested by State Police in the Town of Batavia, at 4:48 p.m., Nov. 7.  She was released on an appearance ticket. No further details released.

Valarie L. Mancini, 64, of Shortsville, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th and driving while impaired by drugs. Mancini was stopped at 6:15 a.m., Nov. 10, by State Police, in the City of Batavia.

A 15-year-old resident of Batavia is charged with criminal mischief 3rd.  The youth was arrested by State Police in connection with an incident reported at 10:50 p.m., July 24.

The demands of modern police are wide and varied, some days they are enforcing traffic laws, acting as counselors in domestic disputes, substituting for crossing guards, arresting violent criminals or, like today, standing around in the sleet and snow waiting for a safe clear shot at a skunk at the Batavia Middle School. 

The reports started about 10am of a skunk wandering in circles in front of the school. The Batavia PD waited and did what they could, but the skunk never left the street or sidewalk and could not be corralled into a safe area. No one is sure what is wrong with the skunk and why it is acting in this fashion.  The skunk is posing a traffic nuisance at Ross and Washington and is potential danger to pedestrian traffic in the area.  

Press release:

St. Paul Lutheran School parent group, FOLKS, is having a Christmas wreath sale. Sale dates are now thru November 17th. A 20" decorated wreath is $30 and a 35" decorated wreath is $45. Choice of red or burgundy ribbon. Payment is due upon ordering. Cash or check made out to FOLKS. Can be ordered at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School at 31 Washington Avenue, Batavia, 585-343-0488. Pick up of wreaths is on Sunday, November 21st at the church from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

The battle at Vera Cruz, Mexico, on April 23, 1914, would prove to be an unfortunate forerunner of World War I.  President Woodrow Wilson was concerned when General Victoriano Huerta overthrew Mexico’s government.  The President tried to intervene suggesting an armistice.  General Huerta refused all attempts of settlements by the United States.  As a result in April 1914, US troops were sent to the Mexican border.  The troops included a young man from Batavia, New York, Gabriel DeFabbio. 

Gabriel was born in Italy, November 7, 1891.  He came to this country with his mother, brother, and sister.  His father had come to America ten years earlier.  They originally settled in Holley before setting down roots in Batavia.  Gabriel attended Batavia High School.  In November 1908 Gabriel enlisted for a term of four years in the Navy.  When his term expired he thought he would settle in Batavia, but his heart was in the Navy. After living in Batavia for four months and experiencing the life of a civilian, he decided to reenlist in the Navy. Gabriel’s previous experience advanced him to a gunner’s mate aboard the naval ship the USS New Jersey.

On April 14, 1914, Gabriel sent a letter to his parents saying he was headed for Mexico and he did not know if there would be a battle but he was ready if it happened.  President Wilson ordered the troops to take over Vera Cruz.

As the USS New Jersey was docking, shooting began. In the commotion at the dock, the first eight men died in what became known as the battle of Vera Cruz.  Young DeFabbio was one of them.

In Batavia, the parents of Gabriel received the following message from the Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniel.

Thomas DeFabbio of No. 38 Center Street, Batavia, NY.
“Let me express my deep sympathy in your sad bereavement due to the loss of your son, Gabriel A. De Fabbio, at Vera Cruz Mexico, April 22, 1914.  His patriotic courage has itself placed his name high on the roll of those to lay down their lives for their country.”

Both parents were overcome with grief, as was the entire community. Gabriel was survived by his parents Gabriel’s body was to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Gabriel’s father, Thomas (Cosimo) had a specific request, however: he wanted his son’s body returned to Batavia for a public funeral and burial.  He sent a message to the Secretary of the Navy and his request was honored.

There was a meeting of the Upton Post, G.A.R., (Grand Army of the Republic) in Ellicott Hall to discuss the plans for the military funeral of Gabriel.  Many organizations were asked to participate in the arrangements of the funeral, the Women’s Relief Corps, Sons of Veterans as well as all civic organizations and societies in Batavia.   Businesses were also asked to close their stores while the funeral was in progress.  All flags were to be placed at half-staff to show respect for the soldier.  An invitation was extended to all veterans of the Army and the Navy to attend the funeral.

The Spanish War Veterans selected three sailors from the Navy and three soldiers from the Army to serve as pallbearers.  All military were dressed in full uniform.

A salute of seven guns was fired by the Spanish War Veterans upon the arrival of Gabriel’s remains as the train entered the station in Batavia. A cannon was used to notify the Batavians that his body had reached Batavia.

The pageant of patriotism was overwhelmingly demonstrated by three thousand Batavians and military persons who walked down Main Street to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on the corner of Main Street and Summit Street.  Only one thousand mourners could enter the church.  The other two thousand stood on the steps and in the street waiting for the funeral to conclude.

President Wilson sent a beautiful wreath in memory of Gabriel DeFabbio.  It was shipped to Batavia in a large wooden box.  It was a wreath of galax leaves (galax leaves are a popular green in the floral industry) and Easter lilies. The card attached said the words, “The President.” 

It was said that there had not been this much excitement since the dedication of the historic Holland Purchase Building today known as the Holland Land Office Museum.

On May 15, 1914, the marquees of The Grand and Family Theater advertised pictures showing the military funeral from the house to the grave.  There were also slides showing the wreath sent by President Wilson.

This Batavia hero is honored with a historical marker on the lawn on the east side of the Holland Land Office Museum.  The marker was erected one year after Gabriel’s death by the first company of the USS New Jersey.