A Generous Life, An Unforgettable Impact

Last August, our community said goodbye to a caring neighbor, friend and role model. Today, we honor Ottoviano “Tovie” Asarese and the legacy he left behind.

Tovie always saw potential for good in the world, and he did everything in his power to make that good a reality. By doing so, he shaped the lives of thousands of young Western New Yorkers.

When Tovie saw an empty lot across from Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary School, where he coached, he got permission to turn it into a playground. The West Side Play Area became a cornerstone of the neighborhood where youth could play basketball, volleyball, softball and even street hockey.

Tovie coached multiple leagues, even creating the Ponytail League, the first girls’ softball league in the area. He gave children an outlet to develop values like sportsmanship and determination, ensuring they were on the best path possible in life.

Tovie’s community-centered work inspired many community members to contribute in any way they could, even after they moved away. Tovie’s legacy inspired one especially thoughtful tribute gift to FeedMore WNY — all the way from Florida. The gift was made by one of many people who’d learned life lessons from Tovie as a child.

A message from Elizabeth Sole, posted to Tovie’s tribute page, reads, “Tovie was the heart and soul of the West Side Community…we were blessed to have him in our lives.” That sentiment is shared by many.

We are so grateful to Tovie for being a role model to so many children and showing us what legacy living it looks like. We hope his story inspires you to act on your own values in service of a brighter, stronger future!