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obituaries

Betty Ruth Doehring

By Lisa Ace

BATAVIA - Betty Ruth Doehring, 89, died peacefully on March 12, 2014, at Crossroads House in Batavia, with her family by her side.

She was born Aug. 23, 1924, in Buffalo, the only child of Elmer and Ruth Marquardt. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Walter; with eight children, James (Richard Episcopo), Thomas (Steven Chalfant), Jack (Gareth), Daniel (Anna), Andrew (Sandra), Sarah, Rachel (David) Fasano, William (Phoebe); and five grandchildren, William, Matthew, Zalya, Stella and Erin. 

Her greatest joy in life was her children. She was also a proud graduate of Wells College at the age of 70, a hugely important milestone in her life. She traveled the world and spent many years traveling the country to visit her children in California, Florida, Idaho, Maine, Montana, and New York. Betty and her husband spent 13 years in Sedona, Ariz., before returning to New York in 2010.

Her passion was swimming; it brought solace to her life. She loved to go to the movies (foreign films were her favorite) and in her younger days, she enjoyed dancing at the Crystal Beach Ballroom in Canada. She loved to go out for breakfast, "two poached eggs, dry rye toast and home fries extra crisp with peppers and onion, please", coffee with loads of creamers and water with no ice!

Those who knew her best knew that quality of life meant everything to her. She will be sadly missed by those who had the privilege to know her.

As per her wishes, there will be no calling hours and a private family gathering will be held at a later date. Memorials in Betty Ruth's memory would be gratefully  appreciated to Crossroads House, where she was cared for with utmost dignity and respect during her final weeks.

Arrangements for Betty Ruth Doehring have been taken care of by the Dengler Roberts Perna Funeral Home, 8630 Transit Rd., East Amherst, NY 14051, a member of the Neptune Society/Dignity Memorial Network.

Kelsey N. Milks

By Press Release

Corfu - Kelsey N. Milks, 19 of Corfu, passed away suddenly Sunday (December 16, 2012) at the Erie County Medical Center.

Kelsey was born January 6, 1993, in Batavia, a daughter of Gregory and Roxane Savage Milks. She was a graduate of Pembroke Central High School and a student at Genesee Community College. Kelsey loved her dogs and wanted to be a dog trainer. She had a passion for life and always wanted to do things to make the world a better place for all.

Kelsey is survived by her parents, Gregory and Roxane Milks of Corfu; her sister, Aleah Milks of Corfu; her grandparents, Robert (Rita) Savage of Clarence; Mary Knowlton of Batavia, Raymond and Sandra Milks of Arcade; aunts and uncles; Justyne (Dennis) Ackerman, Jeannine (Kurt) Fox, Jodine Schoonover, Julie (Russell) Ludwig, Geoffrey (Stephanie) Milks, Randy (Annabel) Savage and Robin Parks;  her boyfriend, Dana Cipra. Many cousins also survive.

Family and friends may call Friday from 3-7 p.m. at the Indian Falls United Methodist Church, 7908 Allegheny Road, Corfu, NY. Funeral services will follow at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family. Arrangements were made with the C.B. Beach & Son Mortuary, Inc. 4 East Main Street, Corfu, NY.

Well respected mother passes after 12 year cancer battle

By Timothy Walton

Many people in the Batavia area are mourning after a well-known mother has passed away after a long battle with breast cancer. Forty-four-year-old Deborah J. Dancy, died Monday at her residence on Shepard Road.

Deb, who is the mother of Lindsey Penders and Nicole Dancy of Batavia, was well known in the Batavia area and school district and liked by both students, teachers, parents and athletes.

Deb was very involved with Batavia cheerleading events and became a friend to many in the area throughout her time. 

Many high school and college students, parents and teachers expressed their love for Deb on Facebook late Monday night and all day today.

One posted "You have touched so many hearts with your amazing strength" while another student added "So many hearts are broken today but God gained an amazing angel." Others posted the lone letters "YOLO" meaning "You Only Live Once" -- the phrase that Deb and many close to her used during her long courageous battle. 

Deb was born Nov. 19, 1967 in Warsaw, NY, the daughter of Richard and Donna McCaughey Ellis. Deborah was a graduate of York Central School. She was a secretary for Upstate Auto Transportation Corporation in Batavia.

Visitation will be held at the Rector-Hicks Funeral Home, 111 Main St. in Geneseo on Thursday, May 3, 2012 from 4-8 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, May 4, 2012 at 10 a.m. at St. Lucy's Church in Retsof with Walt Purtell officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Valley Cemetery in York. 

Memorials may be made to the Highland Hospital Oncology Unit, 1000 South Ave. Box 67, Rochester, NY 14620.

Divine Chaos Tattoo in Rochester is planning a tattoo benefit for Deb and Pink Gorilla Tees & Graphics has printed T-shirts to benefit the family.

Michael A. Fricano

By Billie Owens

Michael A. Fricano, 85, passed away Sept. 22, 2011 at the New York State Veterans Home in Batavia.

He was born on Aug. 5, 1926 in Batavia, New York, to the late Joseph and Concetta (Boncinello) Fricano.

Mr. Fricano attended Batavia High School and a became journeyman printer working for the Democrat & Chronicle/Times Union newspaper. He was a member of Ascension Parish -- St. Anthony’s Church, the Holy Name Society, Our Lady of Loreto Society and life member of the former St. Nicholas Club.

Mr. Fricano was a World War II veteran and member of the VFW. He loved to golf and recorded a hole-in-one, and he was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish.

He is preceded in death by brothers Anthony, Sam and Joseph Fricano; and sisters Rose Patri and Carrie Germaine.

He is survived by his loving wife Pauline B. (LaRussa) Fricano; sons Michael J. (Joan), of Amherst; Gerald A. (Catherine) of Fairport; Paul V. (Vera) of North Chili; Patrick J. (Theresa) Fricano of Houston, Texas; sister-in-law Katherine Fricano of Lockport; 13 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren along with several nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to call on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, 329-333 W. Main St. in Batavia.

Prayers will be recited at the funeral home at 9 a.m. on Monday September 26, 2011 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at Ascension Parish -- St. Anthony’s Church, 122 Liberty St., Batavia.

Entombment will take place at St. Joseph’s Mausoleum in Batavia.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the New York State Veterans Home Activities Fund, 220 Richmond Ave. Batavia, NY 14020 or to St. Anthony’s Church, 122 Liberty St. Batavia, NY 14020.

For more information or to sign the online guest registry please visit
www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com or call 585-343-8260. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 W. Main St., Batavia, NY 14020.

Prominent Batavia-area eye surgeon passes

By Howard B. Owens

Dr. Alan L. Siegel died Wednesday evening, according to an obituary posted by Michael Tomaszewski this morning.

The 57-year-old Siegel was a partner in University Eye Specialists, located on Summit Street in Batavia.

The obituary notes that Siegel had been under the care of hospice.

According to the company website, Dr. Siegel received his BA from Colgate University, an MD from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and performed his residency at Boston University Medical Center. Dr. Siegel specialized in cataract, eye muscle and laser surgeries.

No further details are available at this time.

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