Bill Text: NY J01560 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Mourning the death of Ezra Castro, ardent Buffalo Bills fan and devoted family man
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 40-22)
Status: (Passed) 2019-05-21 - ADOPTED [J01560 Detail]
Download: New_York-2019-J01560-Introduced.html
Senate Resolution No. 1560 BY: Senator JACOBS MOURNING the death of Ezra Castro, ardent Buffalo Bills fan and devoted family man WHEREAS, It is with feelings of deepest regret that this Legislative Body records the passing of Ezra Castro, an extraordinary gentleman of indomitable faith and dedication whose purposeful life will long serve as a standard to which others might aspire; and WHEREAS, Ezra Castro of Dallas, Texas, died on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at the age of 39; and WHEREAS, Growing up in a sports loving family, Ezra Castro's father suggested he choose a favorite football team; proud of his Mexican-American heritage, he looked for teams whose colors came closest to the red, white and green Mexican Flag, and subsequently, chose the Buffalo Bills; and WHEREAS, Ezra Castro's lifetime passion for the Buffalo Bills led him to create a costumed superfan persona he called "Pancho Billa," which he developed from a play on the name of Francisco "Pancho" Villa, a famous Mexican revolutionary general; and WHEREAS, Ezra Castro's intricate costume eventually included a broad sombrero with a leather luchador mask, a serape poncho, a bandolier and leather arm guards, all in red, white and blue and adorned with the Bills buffalo and his catchphrase, "Viva Los Bills"; and WHEREAS, Devoted to his beloved Bills, Ezra Castro served as President of the Bills Backers groups in both Dallas and Fort Worth; under his luminous leadership, membership grew to approximately 700, and supporters gathered every week for the games either at the Hideaway Bar & Grill in Dallas or at Buff Bro's in Fort Worth; and WHEREAS, Ezra Castro also traveled across the country to watch his Bills in person, including New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York, and a game in California, which he attended with his son Ginobili who wore his own costume with a mask and Batman-style ears; and WHEREAS, In April of 2018, Ezra Castro was honored to lead the Bills delegation of 50 fans at the NFL Draft in Dallas, where he proudly announced the team's third-round pick of defensive tackle Harrison Phillips; and WHEREAS, Ezra Castro truly led by example, and in doing so, has left a lasting impact on the City of Buffalo and New York State as a whole; team members, staff and fans of the Bills will always remember his passion and zeal, and will continue to proclaim his mantra "Viva Los Bills!"; and WHEREAS, When he was not rooting for his favorite team, Ezra Castro worked as a mortician and enjoyed spending time with his loving family; and WHEREAS, Ezra Castro is survived by his longtime partner, Veronica Borjon; one son, Ginobili; one daughter, Lourdes; his mother, Aurora; his father, Jaime; and three brothers, Jaime, Zenoc and Eli; as well as a legion of fellow Buffalo Bills fans who will long cherish his memory; and WHEREAS, Through his boundless energy and profound words of wisdom, Ezra Castro's legacy of true grace and fiery passion will shine on through his family's vivid and happy memories; his shining light and strength will forever serve as a beacon of love and hope for all who were privileged to have known and loved such an amazing and dynamic man; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to mourn the death of Ezra Castro, ardent Buffalo Bills fan and devoted family man; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of Ezra Castro.