Local hero
- Joanne Jacobs
- Dec 30, 2022
- 1 min read
Unable to drive in Buffalo's deadly blizzard, Jay Withey broke in to a school, went back with a snow blower to get other trapped motorists into the warm school, then broke into the cafeteria for food and the nurse's office for blankets. Police say the 27-year-old mechanic saved 24 lives.
The blizzard survivors cleaned up after themselves, police said. They found a note, addressed "to whomever it may concern." (Note the correct use of "whomever.")
"I’m terribly sorry about breaking the school window & for breaking in the kitchen … I had to do it to save everyone and get them shelter," the note said.
It was signed: "Merry Christmas, Jay."
The survivors hope to get together again for a reunion -- in summer.
It's kind of amazing that during the Christmas season no one took even 1 of these wanderers in - you know like Away in the Manger
This is one of my favorite stories from the storm. Two more incredible coincidences from the storm:
1) Jay's father ran snowmobile rescues during the Blizzard of '77.
2) A week before the storm hit, the touring production of Come From Away was in town.