Cemeteries of Western New York, 1411 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY (2025)

06/06/2025

Today, we take a moment to remember D-Day—a pivotal turning point in World War II and the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe from N**i control.
Imagine this: it’s your very first time in battle. You’re dropping from the sky into complete darkness and heavy fog, while enemy fire lights up the sky. That’s what it was like for James Gene Pandolphi and the 101st Airborne Division.
James was born in Buffalo on September 30, 1915, to Lucia George and John Pandolphi. One of nine children, he worked as a mail carrier before enlisting on September 12, 1942, and joined the 101st Airborne Division—famously known as “The Screaming Eagles.” After training at Fort Bragg, they headed to England to prepare for their first combat mission: Operation Overlord, the massive Allied invasion of Normandy.
In the early hours of June 6, 1944, the Screaming Eagles were among the first to go in. Their planes flew low through thick fog toward the coast of Normandy. Their mission was to secure the western end of Utah Beach and neutralize German defenses so the 4th Infantry could land by sea. Then, the 101st was tasked with capturing the bridges behind the beach.
As the 101st approached the drop zone, enemy anti-aircraft fire forced the planes to break formation, causing the paratroopers to land far from their target. Carrying around 160 pounds of gear and equipment, they landed under heavy fire. The Screaming Eagles suffered heavy losses that day, and only 1 in 6 reached their intended targets.
After the battle, Cpl. Pandolphi sent home his damaged parachute which his mother lovingly turned into pajamas, a christening robe, and stockings for his sisters.
After the war, James married Mary C. Finn, and together they raised four children.
James G Pandolphi passed away on August 20, 2008, at the age of 92. He now rests in the Veteran's Cremation Garden at St. Matthew’s Cemetery, part of the Forest Lawn Group.
Today, we honor his courage, alongside all who served and sacrificed on that historic day.

05/27/2025

Join the Conversation About Your Local Cemeteries: Do you have a connection to Clarence Fillmore, Evergreen Lawn, Freedom, Freedom Rural, Griffins Mills, Lancaster Rural, Oakwood, or Quaker Settlement Cemeteries?

We’re hosting a series of informal community meetings — and you’re invited! Share your thoughts, learn how to search burial records online, ask about burial options and more.

MEETING DATES & LOCATIONS:

MONDAY, JUNE 2 | 4:00 PM
📍 Clarence Fillmore Cemetery
4580 Ransom Rd, Clarence, NY 14031 (Rear Parking Lot)

TUESDAY, JUNE 3 | 4:00 PM
📍 Oakwood Cemetery
202 Oakwood Ave, East Aurora, NY 14052 (Columbarium Area)

MONDAY, JUNE 9 | 4:00 PM
📍 Freedom Cemeteries
Freedom & Osmun Rds, Freedom, NY 14065 (Columbarium Area)

Whether you’re a neighbor, family member, or just interested in local history — everyone is welcome!

05/27/2025

Join the Conversation About Your Local Cemeteries: Do you have a connection to Clarence Fillmore, Evergreen Lawn, Freedom, Freedom Rural, Griffins Mills, Lancaster Rural, Oakwood, or Quaker Settlement Cemeteries?

We’re hosting a series of informal community meetings — and you’re invited! Share your thoughts, learn how to search burial records online, ask about burial options and more.

MEETING DATES & LOCATIONS:

MONDAY, JUNE 2 | 4:00 PM
📍 Clarence Fillmore Cemetery
4580 Ransom Rd, Clarence, NY 14031 (Rear Parking Lot)

TUESDAY, JUNE 3 | 4:00 PM
📍 Oakwood Cemetery
202 Oakwood Ave, East Aurora, NY 14052 (Columbarium Area)

MONDAY, JUNE 9 | 4:00 PM
📍 Freedom Cemeteries
Freedom & Osmun Rds, Freedom, NY 14065 (Columbarium Area)

Whether you’re a neighbor, family member, or just interested in local history — everyone is welcome!

05/26/2025

Today, we take a moment to honor the men and women of the U.S. military who have served our country. What began as Decoration Day after the Civil War has since evolved into Memorial Day—a time dedicated to remembering the service and sacrifice of those who fought for freedom.

Among the veterans we remember is Robinson C. Baker, a man who bore witness to the hardships and heroism on the battlefield.
Born on July 31, 1820, Robinson was working as a stonemason when President Lincoln called upon citizens to help “suppress the Great Rebellion.” On September 25, 1862, the 37-year-old father of four answered that call, mustering in as a wagoner with Company H, 136th New York Infantry, under the command of Col. James Wood Jr. The very next day, Robinson and 1,000 fellow soldiers departed Portage, New York, bound for Virginia.
Each company had just one wagoner. Robinson’s responsibilities focused on caring for the animals, typically teams of horses or mules, and driving the wagons that hauled everything the army needed: ammunition, tents, food, and medical supplies. Without men like Robinson, the army couldn’t move forward.

In October 1862, Robinson and his regiment traveled south along muddy roads through dense forests, eventually reaching the fields of Gettysburg. At Gettysburg alone, the 136th New York, known as the “Ironclads,” lost 17 men, had nearly 90 wounded, and three were missing.

After two years, nine months, and 26 days of service, Robinson and the surviving members of the “Ironclads” mustered out near Washington, D.C., on June 13, 1865—two months after the Civil War had ended.
Robinson Baker passed away on September 18, 1904, at the age of 84. He is buried in Row 1, Grave 16 at Quaker Settlement Cemetery, part of the Forest Lawn Group.

A star next to his headstone marks his courage and service…. We remember him—and all those who rest within our gates and beyond.

05/23/2025

“Gentlemen… start your engines!” It’s Fast Friday, and with the Indianapolis 500 roaring toward us this weekend, we’re taking a lap past Gasoline Alley to remember Williamsville’s 12-time Indy starter from racing’s golden era: Artha Benson “Deacon” Litz.

Born on August 2, 1898, in DuBois, PA, to Harriet Rugh and Joseph Litz, Deacon worked as a grocery clerk before enlisting in the Army in 1918. But it wasn’t long after the war that he traded stocking shelves for stock cars—working as a stunt driver (he was one of the first to test air-filled balloon tires) and tearing up dirt tracks in his homemade car. Litz made the leap to the Indy in 1928. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing over 200 lbs, he was one of the heaviest drivers of his time and often lost 12 lbs during a race!

One of his most memorable races was in the 1929 Indianapolis 500. That year, 46 drivers were vying for just 33 spots. Deacon earned his place, averaging 114.526 mph in qualifying. On race day, Deacon started from the third row, outside lane. During the pace lap, the lead car in his lane stalled. Just a few laps in, Deacon’s handbrake literally fell off. He swerved to avoid a crash, regained control, and took the lead—holding it for 150 miles until he was forced out on lap 56 when a rod broke, setting his car on fire.
That’s how Deacon drove.

“He is prone to drive his entry at full tilt from the starting gun… and has found but one car which would stand up under the terrific strain of his piloting.” (Buf. Courier-Exp. 12/7/1934) That car gave Litz his best Indy finish, 4th, in 1934, and although he never won, he often finished “in the money,” earning him a place among “America’s Speedway Kings.”

During WWII, Litz moved to Buffalo and worked at Curtiss-Wright, building C-46 Commando aircrafts. After the war, he opened Deacon Litz Motors in Williamsville with his son-in-law. Deacon attended every Indy 500 until 1964 and watched the next two on closed-circuit TV at Kleinhans Music Hall.

Artha Benson “Deacon” Litz passed away on June 3, 1967, at age 68. He is buried in Section E, Row 13 in Williamsville Cemetery, part of the Forest Lawn Group.

05/03/2025

Lakeside Cemetery and the Lincoln Funeral Train
On this day, 160 years ago, the 16th president of the United States ended his final journey aboard what became known as the Lincoln Funeral Train. After lying in state, President Lincoln’s casket was placed in a trolley car draped in black bunting. The train departed Washington, D.C., on April 21st, bound for his hometown of Springfield, Illinois.
The assassination at Ford’s Theatre had shocked the nation, and more than 7 million people came to see the funeral train as it made its 1,654-mile journey through seven states. It passed through the smallest villages and made 13 scheduled stops in cities, including Buffalo.
The train arrived at Buffalo’s Exchange Street Depot on the morning of April 27th, where former president Millard Fillmore led the city’s reception committee. Over 100,000 mourners, including future president Grover Cleveland, lined the streets and solemnly watched as a horse-drawn hearse carried President Lincoln’s casket to St. James Hall, where he lay in state. Guns were fired every half hour in tribute.
That evening, as the train departed Buffalo, its route passed through the grounds of what would eventually become Lakeside Cemetery. Thousands of people, many of whom had traveled long distances, gathered along the tracks for one final glimpse of their fallen president, whose casket was illuminated by the lights of the trolley car.
President Abraham Lincoln reached Springfield, Illinois, on May 3, 1865. He was buried the following day. He was 56 years old.

05/02/2025

A historic day at Forest Lawn as we unveiled a striking new statue honoring the life and legacy of Shirley Chisholm—pioneering Congresswoman, presidential candidate, and fearless advocate for equity and justice. Created by artist Julia Bottoms and made possible through the leadership of Senator Sean M. Ryan, this powerful tribute now stands outside Birchwood Mausoleum as a lasting symbol of Chisholm’s courage and vision.

04/18/2025

Knuckles Down for Evergreen Lawn’s Local Marble Champion
Let’s roll back in time—it’s World Marble Day- and believe it or not, marbles date all the way back to the Stone Age! Now, this isn’t just a playground pastime; it’s serious competition that uses strategy, math, and precision. You’ll also need a flat knuckle and a quick flick of the finger if you want to knock ‘em out of the ring!
The game itself is played with 49 marbles inside a large circle. Teams take turns using their larger “shooter” marbles to knock as many marbles—or “mibs”—out of the circle as possible and the team with the most mibs wins!
The National Marbles Tournament was launched in 1922 by the Scripps-Howard newspaper chain, and by 1930, roughly 3 million kids entered local marbles tournaments across the U.S., all hoping to earn an all-expenses-paid trip to that national tournament in Ocean City, NJ.
One of them was Uriah E. Printup from Basom, NY. Born on August 11, 1915, to Rose and Horatio Printup, Uriah was introduced to the game by his teacher. The 13-year-old was a natural, practicing every day.
Just a few months later, Uriah found himself competing in the regional championships held at Delaware Park, where the winners of each division would form the three-man team that would compete in the National Marble Tournament. Uriah won his division and secured his ticket to nationals!
The trio left Buffalo in style—riding to the Jersey Shore in a Studebaker. The journey included a tour of Washington, D.C., where they met Vice President Charles Curtis and President Herbert Hoover.
At nationals, Uriah was a fan favorite and gave it his all. According to The Buffalo Times (June 29, 1930), he “kept things moving at a lively clip,” but in the end, team Buffalo was eliminated.
On May 16, 1941, Uriah enlisted in the U.S. Army. After the war, he worked for the railroad and married Harriett Moses, with whom he raised three children.
Uriah Printup passed away on September 11, 1984. He is buried in Section 7, Lot 46 at Evergreen Lawn Cemetery in Akron, NY, part of the Forest Lawn Group.

03/31/2025

Lancaster Rural' s Psychology Pioneer
She was the first woman at UB to head an academic department. She helped establish the first psychology course for nursing students and served as the first female president of the American Association of University Professors. Her name is Dr. Olive Peckham Lester.
Born on December 19, 1903, to Levant Delos Lester, a prominent lawyer whom she adored, and Martha Zurbrick, whose family, the Peckhams, were among Lancaster’s earliest pioneers, Olive grew up enjoying activities like riding her bike, playing sandlot baseball, and letting her curious mind absorb information from all around her. She was an excellent student, and in 1920, she received the Davis Medal during her senior year at Lancaster High School.
She attended Cornell and earned her B.A.Sc. in Psychology from the University at Buffalo in 1924. While pursuing her master's degree, she began teaching as an instructor at UB. She then continued her studies for a Ph.D. at the University of Chicago, graduating in 1931.
Perhaps those pioneering genes explain why it seemed almost natural for Olive to forge paths where none existed. It was not easy, but slowly and steadily, Dr. Peckham climbed the male-dominated ladder: first as an Assistant Professor, then as an Associate Professor, a Full Professor in 1946, and finally spending ten years as chair of the Psychology Department. She truly became a “Who's Who” in the field of Psychology.
Known for being a popular and demanding professor, she received several awards throughout her 49-year career, including three citations for outstanding teaching from the School of Nursing, awards from the College of Arts and Sciences, the Distinguished Alumni Award, and the Distinguished Achievement Award from the Psychological Association of WNY in 1978.
Dr. Olive Peckham Lester passed away on October 10, 1996, at the age of 92. A true pioneer, her legacy lives on at UB and Lancaster HS halls. She is buried in Section B, Lot 88 in Lancaster Rural Cemetery, part of the Forest Lawn Group.

University at Buffalo

03/27/2025

Clarence Fillmore’s Historic Opening Day Pitcher
Take me out to the ballgame- The Boys of Summer are back- and as Major League Baseball swings into action, we look at a local legend who got the start one Opening Day.

It was April 14, 1904, and the Cleveland Naps were hoping to shake off their Opening Day slump and move past the disappointments of the previous season. They turned to a 6’1” hard-throwing right-handed pitcher who could unleash a powerful fastball by the name of “Strawberry Bill” Bernhard.

On the mound against the Chicago White Sox, Bernhard delivered a dominant performance, pitching a complete game and allowing only one run on seven hits. His efforts led Cleveland to a 6-1 victory, marking the first-ever Opening Day win in team history.
Born on March 16, 1871, in Clarence, New York, William Henry Bernhard was the eldest son of German immigrants, Mary Seyfang and Peter Bernhard. In 1900, he married Lillian Secrist, and the couple had one child who tragically passed away from pneumonia in 1907.

Before reaching the big leagues, Bill honed his skills by playing for amateur teams in the Buffalo and Akron, NY areas, including a no-hitter against Batavia. “Strawberry Bill” made his major league debut with the National League’s Philadelphia Phillies on April 24, 1899. The following season, he and two other players made headlines when their controversial signing with the newly formed American League’s Philadelphia Athletics went to court.

“Strawberry Bill” was often described as calm and “graceful in the box. " His control on the mound made him one of the best pitchers in the American League—he even defeated the legendary Cy Young during that 1904 season.
Over the course of his nine-year Major League career (1899–1907), Bernhard compiled an impressive 116-81 record.

Bill passed away on March 30, 1949, in San Diego, California. He is buried in Section 19L, Lot 659 at Clarence Fillmore Cemetery, part of the Forest Lawn Group, and his win on that April day in 1904 lives on in the history of Cleveland baseball.

03/21/2025

Lakeside Cemetery’s “Rosie the Riveter”
Flex those arms, ladies! Today is National “Rosie the Riveter Day” and — “We Can Do It!”
Did you know that since 2009, we have been honoring this iconic symbol of working women and the women who answered the domestic call to action during World War II?
Yep, “Rosie the Riveter” was born in 1942, when the American War Office launched a nationwide campaign to recruit women to fill the workforce gap left by the 4 million Americans who had joined the armed forces. The campaign included a series of ads, including J. Howard’s famous “We Can Do It!” poster featuring a female factory worker flexing her muscles.
Over 6 million women answered the call and became widely known as “Rosie the Riveter.” The aviation sector saw the biggest increase in female workers, including Buffalo’s Bell Aircraft, where women made up 30% to 40% of the workforce during the war. One of them was a teenage girl named Viola Berich, who bussed her way to work every night.
Born on January 22, 1925, Viola was a recent graduate of Lancaster High School. Her job involved delivering parts for P-39 Air Cobras and B-29 Bombers using a three-wheeled bike to travel between various departments. She understood the significance of this work and once told The Buffalo News, “When you went to work, you gave them everything you had to give” (TBN, 8/15/2020).
Viola married her teenage sweetheart, Erwin Hippert, whom she had met at a dance before he joined the Navy on September 22, 1945. Together, they raised two daughters- Viola continued to work.
The “Rosies” forever changed the definition of “women’s work.” Although their efforts didn’t receive much recognition at the time, in April 2024, “Rosie the Riveters” were collectively awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for their service during WWII.
Viola T. Hippert passed away on December 1, 2023, at the age of 98—just before the medal was awarded. She is buried in Block J, Lot 270, at Lakeside Cemetery, part of the Forest Lawn Group.

03/17/2025

Lakeside's Cyberspace Expert
In our ever-evolving world of technology, the threat posed by an invisible enemy—the hacker—continues to rise. Cyber warfare can appear as an innocent email or a digital glitch, but once it infiltrates a network, its impact can be devastating.

To combat these threats, the U.S. military, including the Navy, has established a Cyber Defense branch. Rear Admiral (lower half) Danelle Marie Barrett was an expert in this field and worked tirelessly to develop a digital arsenal that included firewalls, encryption protocols, and decryption tools operating at lightning speed to prevent attackers from breaching vulnerable, highly sensitive systems.

Born in Buffalo on July 20, 1967, Danelle was commissioned into the U.S. Navy in August 1989 aboard the USS Constitution, shortly after graduating from Boston University. She was known as a visionary and innovator, credited with modernizing and significantly enhancing the Navy's information warfare capabilities. Barrett was also regarded as a leading cyber expert at U.S. Cyber Command, where she managed classified information.

Over the years, Barrett has received numerous honors, including being named Military Woman of the Year twice, a three-time recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal, and the recipient of the Legion of Merit, to name just a few. She is one of fewer than 200 women to achieve the rank of Rear Admiral (lower half) and the first in the Navy to be selected in the field of Information Warfare.

In 2017, Barrett was appointed as director of the Navy Cyber Security Division and deputy chief information officer, overseeing 700,000 personnel across a global network dedicated to enhancing cybersecurity and governance.

After nearly 30 years of service, Barrett retired in 2019.

In 2023, she was diagnosed with a rare type of brain cancer. Barrett passed away on August 26, 2024, at the age of 57. Her shipmates now “have the watch.”

She is buried in Block L, Lot 257 at Lakeside Cemetery in Hamburg, NY, part of the Forest Lawn Cemetery Group.

Cemeteries of Western New York

06/06/2025

05/27/2025

05/27/2025

05/26/2025

05/23/2025

05/03/2025

05/02/2025

04/18/2025

03/31/2025

03/27/2025

03/21/2025

03/17/2025

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