Comments on: Grain Scoopers of Buffalo

By: michael donnelly

michael donnelly — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:48:56 +0000

it says irish jackie donnelly but im sure his parents came from coatbridge in scotland and he is a cousin of my father terry donnelly who sadly passed away in september 2006

By: Chaela

Chaela — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 23:56:17 +0000

It is really great to hear about your shared memories of the boxing days in Buffalo. The First Ward is such an incredible area of the city, so steeped in our country’s history of immigration and the grain industry. Thank you for your comments on the blog. Patsy, please send my regards to your father Jack.
Warmly,
Chaela Herridge-Meyer
Mobile Facilitator, StoryCorps

By: Patsy Donnelly

Patsy Donnelly — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 05:00:12 +0000

Dear Ron;
Thank you for your comments. You’re right, my father “Irish” Jackie Donnelly was one of the greatest fighters. I remember your brother and met him and talked with him when I attended OLV High School. He would stop by the Coffee Pot and talk with me about my dad and all that happened. My father has told me many stories about those days. He always said that your brother was rich enough to train at the ‘good’ gyms. I remember your family at the hall of fame induction at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens. I think there were 300 fighters there that night. Tony Barbera’s son Tony and I almost rang the Singer’s Gym bell on display just to see what would happen. Can you imagine? Cheers, Patsy Donnelly

By: Ron Ashburn Jr.

Ron Ashburn Jr. — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:23:57 +0000

Jackie Donnelly was one of the greatest fighters in the world. He fought my half-brother Bobby Scanlon for the NYS Lightweight Title in 1960. Both of these fighters should be in the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. Each spent a lot of time helping the youth of the area. Jackie spent countless hours at the Babcock Boys Club and trained many fighters. Bobby was a guest referee at many charity events when he fought in California where he became “Fighter of the Year for Northern California” in 1957. This story regarding the old first ward and the shipping industry is especially interesting to me because my father was an officer on the Kinsman Independent…. the lake boat being unloaded.

By: W. Daniel Fitzpatrick

W. Daniel Fitzpatrick — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 21:55:10 +0000

Thanks for the memories! Born in the old First Ward in 1934, I can remember the vast amount of shipping coming and going from Buffalo. My Great grandfather was a sailor on the lakes in the 1850s, and my Grandfather, William H. Fizpatrick built many of the homes between Seneca and Abbott Roads. (He was also Democratic County Chairman for Erie County!!!) Before the advent of the St. Lawrence Seaway, and long after the Erie Canal gave way to the Railroads, the port and railroads busselled with transshipment of iron ore, coal, grain, etc, and the milling industry thrived. I believe one of the buildings shown was the Larkin Building. Rolled Oats was another cereal milled along the docks

By: Chaela

Chaela — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 04:14:12 +0000

Laura,
It was an honor to hear the stories of the First Ward and then be able to visit the area. Thank you for coordinating these interviews. I think this part of Buffalo really captures the history of the city, and our country.
Thank you,
Chaela

By: Laura Kelly

Laura Kelly — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 01:07:43 +0000

Thank you, Chaela, and thank you to StoryCorps for helping preserve the oral history of the Old 1st Ward. An impoortant generation that helped feed the nation is passing, and a new generation is looking for their roots.
It’s an honor and a privilege to work and live among these folks who built and are still building our nation.