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.