Fancher war memorial approved for National Register of Historic Places
Photo by Tom Rivers: Local veterans in the Honor Guard stand at attention on Aug. 14, 2021 during a rededication of the Fancher monument on Route 31. The monument was originally dedicated on Aug. 14, 1949 for 10 men from the Fancher community who were killed in World War II. The flagpole includes the American flag and a commemorative World War II flag.
MURRAY – The World War II memorial in Fancher is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The memorial was dedicated 73 years ago today. A year there was a rededication after the memorial was upgraded.
The memorial is made from local Medina sandstone. There is a four-sided clock as part of the monument.
Provided photo: The VFW in Holley notes today is the 73rd anniversary of the dedication of the Fancher war memorial.
The site is a memorial for the 10 men from the Fancher community who were killed in World War II. The site includes a plaque that states the monument is a memorial for John Christopher, Joseph Christopher, Cosmo Coccitti, John Kettle, Jr., Leonard Licursi, Martin Licursi, Richard Merritt, Camille Nenni, Floyd Valentine and Richard Vendetta.
The Fancher WWII Memorial was approved and listed on the National Register of Historic Places on Aug. 3, Town Supervisor Joe Sidonio was advised in a letter dated Aug. 9 from D. Daniel Mackay, deputy commissioner of historic preservation and deputy state historic preservation officer.
“As you may know, the National Register is the nation’s official list of properties worthy of preservation,” Mackay wrote in his letter. “Listing on the National Register recognizes the importance of these properties to the history of our country and provides them with a measure of protection.”
Owners of properties son the National Register also may qualify for state and federal income tax benefits if privately owned, while municipalities and not-for-profit organizations are eligible to apply for state historic preservation matching grants, Mackay said.
Sidonio said he is thrilled the site has been deemed worthy of the National Register. He continues to appreciate the efforts from the community, including a generous donation from former resident Fred Fioritio, that led to the site being restored last year.
The monument was in disrepair with mortar crumbling, the clock often not working and the landscaping unattractive.
Sidonio said the site is again a fitting tribute for the 10 young men from the community who died in World War II.
The site in June was approved for New York State Register of the Historic Places. The Fancher Memorial’s nomination for the National Register of Historic Places then was by reviewed by the federal agency and approved on Aug. 3.
