Lallah Cummings, 80, passes

Batavia, NY — Lallah Cummings, 80, of Hamburg, New York passed away on August 7 after a lengthy illness.

Although she never trained or drove Standardbreds for a living, Mrs. Cummings had a profound influence on the sport. She was the matriarch of one of the most prolific racing families ever to compete in Western New York. After marrying her late husband, John P. Cummings (who both trained and drove horses), she had five children; four of which went into racing full time. John Jr., Tony, Todd and Kevin are all trainer/drivers as is Todd’s son, Kyle. All have been competing at Batavia Downs starting in the late 1970’s and all are still active in the sport today.

With the many years of love and support from Lallah, the Cummings clan has been responsible for winning a combined 10,956 races and $56,807,508 in purses.

She was a strong family-first woman, but Mrs. Cummings was also a long-time employee of H&R Block and EG Tax Services. She was a friend to everyone who knew her and will be missed by the many people whose lives she touched throughout her life.

Lallah Cummings was the beloved wife of the late John P. Cummings, Sr.; devoted mother of John P. (Megan) Cummings, Jr., Anthony (Barbara) Cummings, Colleen (Tim) Gallagher, Todd (Tammy) Cummings, and Kevin (Rhonda) Cummings; loving daughter of the late Stephen and late Emma (nee Lore) Flanigen; dear sister of Florence Flanigen, late Edwin (late Lucille) Flanigen, late Sally (late Alvin) Hoddick, late Mary (James) Norris, and late Stephen (Mary) Flanigen, Jr.; cherished grandmother of 13 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, August 16th at 11 a.m. from St. John Paul II Church in Lake View, New York.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Roswell Park Alliance. Please share your favorite memories, stories, condolences, or donations at www.LakesideFuneralHome.com.

By TIm Bojarski, for Batavia Downs Gaming