There will be five new members of the Honeoye Falls-Lima Alumni Hall of Fame inducted during Fall Weekend festivities this Saturday, September 24. Followng are brief biographies of the inductees.
Walford E. “Wally” Anderson, Jr.
Honeoye Falls ~ Class of 1963
As expressed by his wife Linda, and attested by many, “Wally had an enthusiasm for life that showed on his face, in his laugh and honestly, even in the way he walked.”
HF School lessons and family farming experiences framed his focus on a path to serve others. Wherever he was, whatever he was doing, his actions were directed in service to others. Moments with Wally are treasured memories for family, friends, co-workers, patients and fellow Veterans.
The United States Marine Corps profoundly influenced Wally. The USMC “Core Values” of honor, courage and commitment were evident as he honored all veterans through his active memberships and leadership roles with the Marine Corps League, the American Legion, Honor Flight Rochester and as a volunteer with the Veteran’s Administration.
Across his 20-year career as a Supervisor with Southco, and then as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Geriatric Care Specialist at Thompson Health, Wally also served our community as a North Bloomfield Cemetery Trustee, North Bloomfield Association member and Deacon with the West Bloomfield Congregational Church. And, according to his children, he was ever-present for their school activities and sports events.
His energy was infectious. His caring nature and professional skills were valued and recognized in honors and awards from colleagues, professional organizations, and civic associations. He received “Certificates of Excellence,” “Special Recognition for Volunteer Service,” and the coveted “Associate of the Year” designation from Thompson Health in 2003. Perhaps most special is, “The Wally Anderson Community Spirit Award” established by his family and the Marine Corps League in 2021 to honor an HF-L Graduate “whose character, diligence and interest in community will be an asset in their chosen field and to their future community.”
Wally met every challenge as an opportunity to learn, and enhance his capacity to help others. He advocated for fellow Veterans at Southco and secured their release to participate in ceremonial activities on Veteran’s Day and in the Manor School Flag Day Program. He led the member resolve to revitalize American Legion Post 664 and continue their leadership role with Veteran Holidays, Veteran Honor Guards at Funerals and Color Guards to lead parades. He solicited and contributed to community food drives. He was a coordinator for the local Toys for Tots campaign. At Thompson Health’s M.M. Ewing Continuing Care Center, he and his brother “Skip” planned an annual Veteran’s Day program for Veteran residents who were unable to leave the facility to participate in community events. And, as a mentor he encouraged professional growth, skills training and personal investment in community.
Wally and Linda were blessed with 53 years of marriage, two sons, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren to hug and celebrate.
He was humble of heart, devoted to family and a builder of “community” in every endeavor. His life defines “good neighbor,” “best friend” and “grateful citizen.” His legacy is rooted in examples of service that uplift and respect the dignity of every person.
Karen Krupp-Tremer
Lima High School ~ Class of 1969
Karen Krupp-Tremer is both a right and left-brain standout with a huge and compassionate heart. At an early age, Karen stepped up to help care for her siblings. A standout on the cheerleading team in high school, Karen harnessed her compassion and enthusiasm to do great things over her lifetime with significant achievements in art and service to others.
After graduating from High School, Karen went on to SUNY Oneonta to earn a BA in Psychology. Following that, she worked in retail management, then with various human services agencies. She returned to college while continuing to work full time, graduated with a 4.0 GPA, receiving a MS in Public Administration from SUNY Brockport. A lifelong “learner”, she continues to take and teach classes in a wide range of topics.
For the past twenty plus years, Karen has led Chances and Changes, Inc., a non-profit domestic violence and housing/homeless support agency in Livingston County operating 24/7 that includes 24/7 DV Hotline coverage. This organization reaches 85-100 families at any given time and has grown to operate with well over a million-dollar budget. During this timeframe, she also taught various Human Services courses for 15 years for Genesee Community College as an Adjunct Professor.
Her daughter-in-law, Megan (Alexander) Tremer, writes, “As a Director, Karen is extremely dedicated and committed to the work, often picking up night and holiday shifts to ensure 24×7 coverage. Though eligible for retirement, she has put off her own retirement until key staffing changes can be made to ensure continuity of the institution.”
This dedication to the organization and people it serves was noted by a NYS Trooper and Investigator who interacted with Karen at Chances and Changes. Investigator Burns wrote, “Karen is an intelligent and well-informed person who genuinely cares about her mission to help families. Many hours were on her own time.”
In addition to her leadership, Karen is also an accomplished artist who, in her free time, pursues her passion for art in various mediums, both in 2D and 3D forms. She exhibits her arts at shows, including the Clothesline Festival and has even earned “Merit Award Winner” status. She was also involved in various projects including a restoration project to replicate 6-foot-tall x 164 linear feet of canvas murals depicting Mother Goose Fairy Tale scenes housed in the former “Eastman Children’s Dental Dispensary”, now Eastman Gardens. This project included several restoration experts and was recognized for excellence by the Preservation League of New York and at the local level with the Barber Conable Award for Historic Restoration. Karen creates and sells her works and restored antiques through High Country Homestead, a business venture she founded 35 years ago.
Karen married her high school sweetheart, Tom Tremer, and they raised their children, Sara and Zach, and many beloved animals. She has cared for her elderly extended family in Lima and restored and managed their large and beautiful home and gardens in Lima. Karen is an adored grandmother and cherished friend, too.
Lifelong friend, John H. Bailey remarks, “I have often wondered at her capacity for creativity and at her seemingly boundless energy! From what I have seen, she has amazingly followed and continues to work on her interests and passions, doing what she truly loves, while serving many others.”
Another community member, Ruth Hayes, writes about her admiration for Karen’s faithful work. “One of the key values of the Hall of Fame program is the introduction of the candidates to the students in HFL. This particular year which seems to be filled worldwide with anger, fear and hatred, our students need to learn how one person has made a tremendous difference in the lives of local individuals! Karen’s work will hopefully encourage students to realize they also should consider the importance of reaching out and helping others.”
Deborah Gonyea Smith
Honeoye Falls-Lima ~ Class of 1973
Deborah Gonyea graduated from Honeoye Falls-Lima High School in 1973. She was part of the first class of students who attended all four years of high school as part of the new, merged school district. It was a pivotal time for our community and Deb embraced the change and helped bring her classmates together. Now, over fifty years hence, Deb Gonyea Smith continues to draw folks together and has proven herself to be an amazing community contributor and prolific chronicler of history.
Deb grew up on Michigan Avenue in Lima. She was a member of the last class to attend grades K-8 at the Lima Free School. Her high school years were filled with cheerleading, soccer, field hockey, pep club, chorus, band, Leadership Club, and Junior League. She attended MCC and graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh with High Honors.
Her first teaching job was at Perry Elementary School, Perry, NY where she was a newspaper advisor, cheerleading advisor, and softball coach. In 1981, Deb moved to Virginia Beach where she had a variety of teaching roles, leadership positions, and distinctions, including: Black History Month Coordinator; Elementary Math Teacher of the Year; At Risk Planning Committee Chairperson;
Elementary Mentor Program Chairman; Reading Teacher of the Year; and member of the Virginia Beach Citywide Science Curriculum Committee.
Susan K. Tolley, a retired Principal that worked with Deb remembers, “In thinking about my time working with Deb, the word that keeps coming to my mind is abundance. Deb had an abundance of energy. She was just like the energizer bunny, always moving, always moving fast, always with a mission, and always with a smile. Deb had an abundance of love and care. Her students knew she cared about them, and they returned that love and worked so incredibly hard to please her. More than once, I heard students say, “I did it.” I heard Deb respond, “I knew you could, I told you that you could.”
Deb returned to this region in 2013 and together with her husband, Tim Smith, has become a prolific contributor to our local newspaper, the Mendon-Honeoye Falls-Lima Sentinel. Each week, Deb and Tim contribute at least two articles to the paper. Their writings touch on history, business, and community connection. In addition, Deb and Tim have published four books on a wide range of subjects.
William S. Lane, Chair of the Honeoye Falls-Mendon Historical Society, writes, “Based upon her contributions in documenting our history and passion for providing enlightening and entertaining articles, I support the nomination of Deborah Gonyea Smith to the HF-L Alumni Hall of Fame.”
In addition, Deb finds time to assist in a variety of community initiatives, including supporting the Section V Unified Basketball Initiative; Honeoye Falls-Mendon Historical Society Committee Member; Elim Bible Institute and College writer; Mendon Business Association writer and contributor; Honeoye Falls Fire Department Parade of Lights volunteer; and volunteer writing for multiple charitable organizations.
Deb’s High School Cheerleading Advisor, Carol Vahue, writes, “Debbie’s contributions to our community support the true meaning of this committee to bring back knowledge and support for the school and the community.”
She is married to Tim Smith and stepmother of Skyler and Savanna and mother of Cory and Sarah.
Dana Lougher Doyle
Honeoye Falls-Lima ~ Class of 1991
Judge Dana Lougher Doyle started at HF-L in Kindergarten and graduated from Honeoye Falls-Lima High School in 1991. Dana was involved in many things in her early years such as Girl Scouts, athletics, and music. She was a 3 sport Varsity athlete, playing soccer and participating in both cross country and track. In addition to playing sports in High School, Dana went on to play soccer at SUNY Potsdam.
Dana went to SUNY Potsdam to study art but in her first semester after taking one poli-sci class, her plans drastically changed. She switched majors and never looked back. When Dana finished at SUNY Potsdam in 1995, she entered Western New England University School of Law in Springfield, Massachusetts. Here she earned her Juris Doctor Degree (1998) and passed the bar shortly after. While in Law School, as a clinical student, she had the opportunity to work for Western Massachusetts Legal Services, providing legal representation to victims of domestic violence. This experience led to a lifelong commitment to public service.
In 1998, Dana entered the Americorps Program where she provided legal services to indigent clients for 2 years. She worked with immigrants, victims of crimes, and families who often faced many other challenges, mentally, physically or with substance abuse. This was just the beginning of Dana’s many endeavors.
Dana settled in Pittsfield, Massachusetts and started her family. She was recruited to work in a small private law firm in Pittsfield, Gobel & Hollister where she honed her skills as a litigation associate and trial attorney. After 4 years, she was recruited by another law firm, Cianflone & Cianflone. Dana stayed there for 7 years working in all aspects of civil litigation, including class action suits, federal cases, and jury trials in the Superior Court.
Dana served on the local City Licensing Board, stayed active in her community and the local bar association. She worked with community agencies and programs she was passionate about. She served on the board and as President of the board for the Elizabeth Freeman Center in Pittsfield. This center provides support and shelter for victims of domestic and sexual violence. Dana became certified as a divorce mediator and a Guardian Ad Litem. From 2012-2017 Dana started her own private practice centered around family law. She continued working as a GAL, a parenting coordinator, an attorney for children, and a divorce mediator. In 2017, she went back to work for Legal Aid, a place she held dear to heart, where she continued to advocate for those living at or below poverty who were victims of domestic violence.
In 2019, Dana was elected President of the Berkshire Bar Association. In 2021, Dana was nominated by Massachusetts Governor Charles Baker for a judicial position. After appearing before the Governor’s Council for a hearing, her nomination was approved. She is currently an Associate Justice of the Probate and Family Court in Springfield, Massachusetts. Despite her prestigious title of Judge, her most cherished title is Mom, to her children, Peyton and Chloe.
Michael Battle
Honeoye Falls-Lima ~ Class of 1996
Mike Battle, HF-L Class of 1996, has the soul of a true artist. This was evidenced throughout his high school years when he co-designed and painted the first two murals on campus. He designed the cover of the 1994 class yearbook. He performed in the school productions of Damn Yankees and Oklahoma while creating the artwork used for the shows’ programs, T-shirts, and murals that are still on display in the chorus room. He designed numerous T-shirts, hats, and bulletin banners for the Varsity Cross-Country and Track teams where he also played an impactful role.
Another quality that was evident during Mike’s high school years was his concern for others. He was a mentor with the Big Brother/Big Sister program, and volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and at St. Joseph’s Soup Kitchen. Mark Borden, music teacher at the high school, says “Along with always being a gifted artist, Mike was a well-rounded student that brought spirit, life, and joy to each endeavor.” Kelly Roberts, English teacher at HF-L, credits Mike’s out-of-the-box thinking with helping her be a more creative and imaginative teacher.
After high school, Mike went on to Rochester Institute of Technology’s School of Film and Animation. Upon graduating, he moved to Los Angeles and had a short stint working on King of the Hill, followed by a long and successful career with The Simpsons, one of the most iconic animated series ever created.
Mike exemplifies the gift of having roots and wings. In California, Mike’s concern for others showed in his offering of artwork to the community auctions for Home Again Los Angeles, a charity that benefits the homeless. Here in New York, he created the website of the family business, Battle Construction Company, and continues to provide artwork for his aunt’s interior design business, Design Associates. Colleague and friend Patrick Garney says, “Mike has been able to use his gifts to not only help his inner circle of friends and family, but his home city, his transplant city and — via The Simpsons– the entire world.” Mike hasn’t forgotten his roots either, returning often to HF-L to speak to the art classes about his animation industry experience and has annually hosted R.I.T. animation students visiting Los Angeles. His niece, Jailyn Clark, credits her Uncle Mike with nurturing her own interest in art since she was very young, culminating in a two-week trip to L.A. where he took her to big name animation studios to especially meet fellow women working in the field. His positive influence and continued support makes Mike a role model for Jailyn.
Mike’s deep roots and his limitless creativity have led him to be a preservationist. He established Flour City Post, where he digitally-restores and reprints vintage images of the Greater Rochester area, including Honeoye Falls. He also makes exquisitely-detailed scale models of vintage neon signs from Rochester and Burbank, where he currently resides. He specifically created these displays as the table centerpieces for his wedding reception when he married photography teacher, Kelly Brooks, held here in Rochester in 2021.
According to Matthew Nastuk, The Simpsons director, friend and professional colleague, “Mike has always been devoted to his family, home, and community – a caring, encouraging, people-person; always making it his priority to give an ear or pitch in to help anyone with any task or project.” Art changes people’s lives and so does Mike Battle.
