Activity center renamed to honor Rev. Bagley

For his dedication to youth in Western New York, Hopevale Inc. has renamed one of its buildings on the Hamburg campus in memory of the Rev. Gary Bagley.

The Father Gary J. Bagley Family Activity Center was renamed by the administration and the boards of Hopevale on June 13.

Rev. Bagley was a Hopevale Inc. board president from 2003 to 2006. In all, he dedicated 17 years to Hopevale through various outlets. He also served as pastor of St. Benedict Church in Eggertsville.

He died in November 2006.

"Father Bagley was a leader, a mentor and a friend," Executive Director Mark O'Brien said. "Although he has left a void that will never be filled, we couldn't think of a more fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to youth ministry."

The family center opened in 2001 at 3780 Howard Road in Hamburg and was designed to offer a place where families would enjoy therapeutic, recreational and leisure time.