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In Memory of
Francis J. "BABE"
D'Amico Sr.
1934 - 2015
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The lighting of a Memorial Candle not only provides a gesture of sympathy and support to the immediate family during their time of need but also provides the gift of extending the Book of Memories for future generations.

St Francis DeSales Church Fire in April 1965

"GENEVA, N.Y. April 1965---An unemployed youth prayed in St. Francis DeSales Church for 15 minutes and then set two fires that destroyed the 101-year-old Roman Catholic edifice, police reported. The loss was estimated by the pastor, the Rt. Rev. Edward K Ball, to total at least $200,000. ', Police arrested Thomas G. McCoy, 20, on a charge of second-degree arson after, they said, he admitted orally he had ignited draperies in two confessionals in the brick church. He was held for the grand jury. 'He was not bitter against the. church," Ontario County Detective Anothony Cecere said. McCoy, a member of the parish and a former pupil in the church's elementary and high schools, joined firemen in fighting the flames, Cecere said. One of his ears was burned. Cecere said McCoy entered the church about 2 a.m. through a door that had a defective lock. Mccoy prayed, Cecere said, then set the fires with a cigarette lighter."

My father was a lifelong member of St Francis De Sales Church. He working the graveyard shift as a patrolman that night. He said he was directing traffic. He told us he had spotted a suspicious male, leaning against a telephone pole, at around 2:30am, watching the fire burn. He seemed mesmerized by the blaze. Dad questionned him. As a result, my father was solely responsible for the man's arrest. One of the Dept's Detectives was later given credit for the arrest.

It took the better part of a year to restore the church from the damage. I remember attending church in the basement of the school for awhile, and later at the Shine's Theater (now the Smith Opera House). We would go up on the stage to receive Communion. 

 
Posted by Cherie
Thursday January 22, 2015 at 9:45 pm
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