David F. Rice

BATAVIA - David F. Rice, 61, of Batavia, died Dec. 5, 2009, in United Memorial Medical Center. He was born on March 13, 1948 in Auburn, to the late Frank J. Rice and the late Eileen M. Otis. Mr. Rice retired as a sergeant from the New York State Department of Correction after 29 years. He worked at Attica, Orleans, Sing Sing and retired from Wyoming County Correctional Facility. While employed for the corrections department, he was a member of the color guard, pistol team and the CERT Team. He was a Navy veteran of the Vietnam conflict and a member of the New York State Army National Guard. David was a member of Resurrection Parish (St. Mary's), Our Lady of Batavia Council 11728 of the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed painting, hunting, fishing and the Batavia Muckdogs. He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn M. Nowak Rice, who died in 2002. He is survived by two sons, William J. (Suzanne) Zewan, of Batavia, David F. Rice II, of Buffalo; one daughter, Jacqueline (Kevin) Wolff, of Stafford; a sister, Fran (Joseph) Lasagna, of Auburn; two grandsons, Trevor J. Zewan and Connor K. Wolff survive along with three nieces. Calling hours will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, at the Gilmartin Funeral Home and Cremation Company Inc., 329-333 W. Main St., Batavia. The members of the Knights of Columbus will meet at 7 p.m. at the funeral home for a prayer service. Prayers will be recited at 9 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 9:30 a.m. in St. Mary's Church, 18 Ellicott St., Batavia. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery will full military honors. The family suggests memorials to Our Lady of Batavia Council Knights of Columbus, c/o, John Marshek, 8419 Seven Springs Road, Batavia, NY 14020. For more information or to sign the online guest registry, please visit www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com or call (716) 343-8260. To send a message to the family, go to www.auburnpub.com and click on obituaries.