It has been announced that longtime Batavia Downs employee Joe Figliulo, 77, passed away on May 3, 2020.

Figliulo had been battling pancreatic cancer for the past 11 months. Weakened by chemotherapy, he fell several times and broke his hip.

Figliulo was a longtime employee of Batavia Downs. He started working at the track in 1960 and continued through 1994, working in the racing and mutuels departments.

He left the racetrack to work for the George W. Starling Horse Trucking Company (1995-2002).

Figliulo was the racing secretary at Scarborough Downs from 2003 until his retirement in 2013. While at Scarborough, Figliulo created the Joe Ricci Memorial Trot.

He became a member of the American Harness Racing Secretaries, Inc. in 2009 and credited his mentors, Don D’Andrea and Peter Koch, with part of his success.

Joe is survived by his wife, Judy; and daughter, Jennifer.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Joe Figliulo.

(USTA)