Dan's Tire & Auto

While calling hours proceeded inside the Gilmartin Funeral Home Wednesday for Dan DiLaura, tow trucks from Dan's Tire and Auto Service were parked on West Main Street in honor of the long-time local businessman.

DiLaura passed away Sunday at age 68.

A 1971 graduate of Batavia High School, DiLaura opened his first auto shop at 23 on West Main Street, Batavia. Over the years, his business ventures grew until he built Dan's Tire in Batavia City Centre.

For his full obituary, click here.

You might say it takes a community to pull 80,000 pounds of cement truck and cement out of a ditch after it overturns.

That's what happened Wednesday when crews from Dan's Tire, Dickinson's Auto Service, and L&L Transmission, came together to figure out a way to recover a cement truck that had crashed on Route 98 in Batavia after blowing out a tire.

"They (the truck owner) requested that we go out there and remove their truck with the least damage possible without cutting up their truck because they want to keep the loss on it as minimal as possible," said Steve Grice, towing operations manager for Dan's Tire. "They were also concerned about the property owner and not any further damage to their property, which Tony Scalia is taking care of tomorrow, restoring their property."

The crew was Grice, T.J. DiLaura, Jesse Repass, and Matt Scott, from Dan's Tire, and Chad Dickinson, Bob Dickinson, Bobbie Dickinson, and Steve Dorf from Dickinson's Auto Service, Cameron Selapack from L&L Transmission.

Grice said between Dan's and Dickinson, he thinks they had the two largest wreckers in the county on the scene to deal with a truck and a full mix barrel weighing an estimated 80,000 pounds.

"I know it was a huge safety concern of the fire department and everybody," Grice said. "To our knowledge, everyone was happy that everything was done safely. The road was closed down for a short period of time. Once the truck was upright on the roadside, we had one lane opened up and within an hour that the road was open and clear for public traffic."

Dickinson's used their 45-ton "King Kong," with its 90,000-pound capacity, and Dan's it's "Big Black" with 50- to 100,000-pound capacity. King Kong took control of the mix barrel and crews were able to lift it back onto the frame of the truck and safely chain it to the truck. Big Black was able to hook onto the front of the truck and then the two trucks "walked" it back and forth onto the shoulder of the roadway.

After repairing airlines and refilling the truck's suspension to be able to handle the load, Big Black held the truck stable while King Kong moved to the front end and lifted it so the broken axle could be removed. After repositioning the truck, Dickinson's was able to safely tow it to the owner's property on East Main Street.

Grice said Wreck Master's was on speed dial to help with any weight calculations during the operation.

"It was a combined effort and combined brains came up with the proper way to safely remove it without causing further damage," Grice said. "I know someone brought up one point they were concerned for safety because of the weight we were dealing with.

"At no point at any time was anybody's safety in jeopardy. Everyone knew the weight they were dealing with; what had to be done; and the safest way to do it."

Photo: Steve Grice, Chad Dickinson, and Bob Dickinson.

Below, video provided by Steve Grice showing a little of the operation to get the truck out of the ditch. Photos below courtesy Steve Grice.

Previously: Concrete truck rollover reported on Alexander Road, Batavia

The Town of Batavia Planning Board has set a public hearing for Sept. 18 in consideration of a special use permit request by the owner of Dan's Tire & Auto Service Center in Batavia to erect a self-storage building on the west side of Route 98, about a couple hundred feet south of Rose Road.

Dan DiLaura and his towing manager, Steve Grice, outlined their proposal at the planning board's meeting tonight at Batavia Town Hall on West Main Street Road. The committee unanimously scheduled the public hearing, which is necessary because vehicles will be parked on the stone-covered grounds.

"Having a towing business, we must store vehicles from time to time due to an accident, DWI or abandoment, and the city says we need to have something fenced in," said Grice, adding that most of the cars are stored no more than a week, but on occasion a vehicle would be kept there longer due to an ongoing police investigation.

Grice said the building would measure 50-by-100-by-16 feet with two overhead doors, and would have two entrances and exits to make it easy for trucks to pull in and out. It also would have all utilities, a few outside lights, fully fenced and gated.

He said DiLaura would use the building for "personal storage" of race cars, towing equipment, tools, tires, etc., but it would not be used for any commercial repairs.

Currently, DiLaura is renting space behind the former Mazur's Auto repair shop on East Main Street in the city for this purpose. If the new building is approved, he no longer would use the Batavia location.

DiLaura said he would like to complete the project, which he estimated at $130,000, before winter.

The site plan is subject to review by the Genesee County Planning Board and approval by the Town Planning Board. Additionally, it must meet standards set by the Department of Environmental Conservation (concerning wetlands) and ensure proper stormwater drainage (depending upon the size of the build-out).

Grice said that BDK Construction of Basom, owned by Brian Kotarski, has been hired to construct the building.

• No Charge 4-WHEEL ALIGNMENT. An $89.99 V­­­alue (Not An Alignment Check) 
• Tire Installation (Mount & Computer Balance) ONLY $20.00​
• No Charge for Valve Stems, excludes TPMS
• No Charge to Reset Your Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• FREE Rotations for Life of the Tires

Dan’s Discount Tire & Auto Service Center, 48 Batavia City Centre, Batavia, NY 14020 • (585) 343-7210. Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. & Saturday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Visit us online at: www.danstire.com or email: dan@danstire.com

Must mention posting on the The Batavian at time of service. Offer applies to four new tire purchase. For aspect ratios below 50 and rim diameters 19” and higher additional mounting and balancing charges apply. Alignment includes toe-in adjustments only. Most vehicles. Cannot be combined with any other promotional offers, discounts or coupons.

• No Charge 4-WHEEL ALIGNMENT. An $89.99 V­­­alue (Not Alignment Check) 
• Tire Installation (Mount & Computer Balance) ONLY $20.00​
• No Charge for Valve Stems, excludes TPMS
• No Charge to Reset Your Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• FREE Rotations for Life of the Tires

We want your tire business, plain and simple. After 35 years there’s one thing we’ve learned, keep it plain and simple and everybody wins. Stop in, call or email to get a quote and set up your appointment.

Dan’s Tire & Auto Service Center, 48 Batavia City Centre, Batavia, NY 14020 • (585) 343-7210. Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. & Saturday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Visit us online at: www.danstire.com or email: dan@danstire.com

Must mention posting on the The Batavian at time of service. Offer applies to four new tire purchase. For aspect ratios below 50 and rim diameters 19” and higher additional mounting and balancing charges apply. Alignment includes toe-in adjustments only. Most vehicles. Cannot be combined with any other promotional offers, discounts or coupons.

Dan’s Tire & Auto is making your tire buying experience plain and simple. We won’t be undersold. We will BEAT anybody’s price on comparable tires, plain and simple.

• No Charge to Mount
• No Charge to Balance
• No Charge for Valve Stems, excludes TPMS
• No Charge to Reset Your Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• No Charge 4-WHEEL ALIGNMENT (Not Alignment Check)
• FREE Rotations for Life of the Tires

We want your tire business, plain and simple. After 35 years there’s one thing we’ve learned, keep it plain and simple and everybody wins. Stop in, call or e-mail to get a quote and set up your appointment.

Dan’s Tire & Auto Service Center, 48 Batavia City Centre, Batavia, NY 14020 • (585) 343-7210. Saturday hours are available by appointment only.

Visit us online at: www.danstire.com or e-mail: dan@danstire.com

Must mention posting on the The Batavian at time of service. Offer applies to four new tire purchase. For aspect ratios below 50 and rim diameters 19” and higher additional mounting and balancing charges apply. Alignment includes toe-in adjustments only. Most vehicles. Cannot be combined with any other promotional offers, discounts or coupons.

DUE TO AN OVERHELMING RESPONSE, WE'RE EXTENDING THE TIRE SALE THROUGH NOVEMBER 15TH! PLAIN AND SIMPLE TIRE SALE!

We won’t be undersold. We will BEAT anybody’s price on comparable tires, plain and simple.

• No Charge to Mount
• No Charge to Balance
• No Charge for Valve Stems
• No Charge to Reset Your Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• No Charge 4-WHEEL ALIGNMENT (Not Alignment Check)
• FREE Road Hazard/ Flat Repairs
• FREE Rotations for Life of the Tires

We want your tire business, plain and simple. After 35 years there’s one thing we’ve learned, keep it plain and simple and everybody wins. Stop in, call or e-mail to get a quote and set up your appointment.

Dan’s Tire & Auto Service Center, 48 Batavia City Centre, Batavia, NY 14020 • (585) 343-7210. Saturday hours are available by appointment only.

Visit us online at: www.danstire.com or e-mail: dan@danstire.com

Offer expires November 15, 2014. Must mention posting on the The Batavian at time of service. Offer applies to four new tire purchase. For aspect ratios below 50 and rim diameters 19” and higher additional mounting and balancing charges apply. Alignment includes toe-in adjustments only. Most vehicles. Cannot be combined with any other promotional offers, discounts or coupons.

APRIL SPECIAL at Dan’s Tire & Auto. PLAIN AND SIMPLE TIRE SALE!

We won’t be undersold. We will BEAT anybody’s price on comparable tires, plain and simple.

• No Charge to Mount
• No Charge to Balance
• No Charge for Valve Stems
• No Charge to Reset Your Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• No Charge 4-WHEEL ALIGNMENT (Not Alignment Check)
• FREE Road Hazard/ Flat Repairs
• FREE Rotations for Life of the Tires

We want your tire business, plain and simple. After 35 years there’s one thing we’ve learned, keep it plain and simple and everybody wins. Stop in, call or e-mail to get a quote and set up your appointment.

Dan’s Tire & Auto Service Center, 48 Batavia City Centre, Batavia, NY 14020 • (585) 343-7210.  Visit us online at: www.danstire.com or email: dan@danstire.com

Offer expires April 30, 2013. Must mention posting on the The Batavian at time of service. Offer applies to four new tire purchase. For aspect ratios below 50 and rim diameters 19” and higher additional mounting and balancing charges apply. Alignment includes tow in adjustments only. Most vehicles. Cannot be combined with any other promotional offers, discounts or coupons.

Attention former Santy's customers! With Santy's no longer open, Dan's Tire & Auto Service Center wants to remind you that we have the complete capabilities to service all of your vehicle's repair needs.

We offer ASE certified technicians, 24 month/24,000 nationwide parts and labor warranty and with the latest tools and equipment. We have factory repair manuals and service bulletins, and also full access to Ford/Motorcraft parts.

Just call 585-343-7210 to make an appointment if we can help in any way.

Visit Dan's Tire online at: http://www.danstire.com

Continued throughout the month of November, Dan’s Tire & Auto is making your tire buying experience plain and simple. We won’t be undersold. We will BEAT anybody’s price on comparable tires, plain and simple. For a limited time only, when you buy a new set of four tires you’ll get the following absolutely 100% free…

• Free Tire Mounting

• Free Tire Balancing

• Free Valve Stems

• Free Tire Pressure Monitoring System Reset

• Free Alignment (Not Just An Alignment Check)

• Free Road Hazard / Flat Repairs

• Free Rotations For The Life Of The Tires

We want your tire business, plain and simple. After 35 years there’s one thing we’ve learned, keep it plain and simple and everybody wins.

As an added bonus Goodyear is giving pre-paid Visa cards for up to $160 as a rebate on the purchase of four select Goodyear or Dunlop Tires. Don’t forget that you can sign up for a Goodyear Credit Card right here at Dan’s Tire & Auto. Goodyear Cards are accepted nationwide and offer 6 months with no interest.

Call us today at (585) 343-7210 for your quote or visit us online at www.danstire.com

Throughout the month of August, Dan’s Tire & Auto is making your tire buying experience plain and simple.  We won’t be undersold.  We will BEAT anybody’s price on comparable tires, plain and simple.  For a limited time only, when you buy a new set of four tires you’ll get the following absolutely 100% free…

• Free Tire Mounting

• Free Tire Balancing

• Free Valve Stems

• Free Tire Pressure Monitoring System Reset

• Free Alignment (Not Just An Alignment Check)

• Free Road Hazard / Flat Repairs

• Free Rotations For The Life Of The Tires

We want your tire business, plain and simple.  After 35 years there’s one thing we’ve learned, keep it plain and simple and everybody wins.

As an added bonus Goodyear is giving pre-paid Visa cards for up to $160 as a rebate on the purchase of four select Goodyear or Dunlop Tires.  Don’t forget that you can sign up for a Goodyear Credit Card right here at Dan’s Tire & Auto.  Goodyear Cards are accepted nationwide and offer 6 months with no interest.

Call us today at (585) 343-7210 for your quote or visit us online at www.danstire.com.