{"id":57701,"date":"2024-10-06T09:13:44","date_gmt":"2024-10-06T13:13:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/?p=57701"},"modified":"2024-10-06T10:00:46","modified_gmt":"2024-10-06T14:00:46","slug":"genesee-county-batavians-gift-of-song-love-of-god-shine-through-at-memorial-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2024\/10\/06\/genesee-county-batavians-gift-of-song-love-of-god-shine-through-at-memorial-service\/","title":{"rendered":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Batavian\u2019s gift of song, love of God shine through at memorial service"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Photos \u2013 John Del Plato in his later years and a<\/strong><\/em>t age 30<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Mike Pettinella
For Video News Service<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Family and friends paid a heartfelt tribute on Saturday to Batavia native John Gerard Del Plato, a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ and author of more than 100 Christian and secular songs over his lifetime of 71 years and 11 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Del Plato\u2019s gift of music was shared with those in attendance at a Memorial Mass at Ascension Parish on Sumner Street in Batavia. An audio recording of John\u2019s composition,\u00a0Jesus is My Savior,\u00a0<\/em>sung by Andy Hamm with musical accompaniment from Philip Klein and Vincent Pastore, concluded the service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After that, all were invited to the church hall to watch a photo presentation of his life, with John singing in the background, and were treated to lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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John\u2019s siblings: seated, Mary and Joseph; standing, Carmen, Charley and Michael.<\/em><\/strong> (photo by Mike Pettinella)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guests, including nieces, nephews and cousins, were greeted by four of John\u2019s seven brothers \u2013 Charley, Joseph, Michael and Carmen \u2013 and his sister, Mary. His other brothers, Frank and Dan, were ill and unable to attend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

John passed away on July 5, 2024, at Rochester General Hospital with his loved ones by his side. A son of the late Daniel and Mary (Marcello) Del Plato, he was predeceased by his baby sister, Christine, and brother, Vincenzo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThrough it all, and always, John was such a positive person,\u201d Carmen said. \u201cHe was able to communicate the love of Jesus in all that he did.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An excellent youth baseball player, he pitched a no-hitter in Little League. He also enjoyed bowling and participating in the high school drama club.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Cover of John’s Christmas CD — Songs of Glorification. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite battling schizophrenia in his adult life, John was not shy about sharing his faith in Christ, especially through his guitar playing and singing. A CD of some of his Christian songs was made with the help of his nephew, Anthony, and sold at Roxy\u2019s Music Store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is a link to some of John\u2019s songs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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