by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

Hamburg, NY — Veteran Western New York driver and trainer Charles Bacon passed away recently at the age of 80. He was a regular on the Buffalo Raceway-Batavia Downs circuit for nearly 40 years.

Mr. Bacon, who was a resident of Batavia, N.Y., began his driving career in 1978 and remained in the sulky until 2015. He had 7,132 starts with 710 victories, 830 second place finishes and 840 thirds with more than $1.4 million in earnings.

As a trainer (with USTA records beginning in 1991), he finished with 2,289 starts including 262 wins and $552,098 in purses. He conditioned six winners in 29 tries in 2015.

His last career start in the bike was his only one in 2015 and it was a victory aboard the aptly named Charlies Last on Aug. 4 at the Chemung County Fair in Elmira, N.Y.

Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association President Bruce Tubin said, “I knew Charlie since 1977 and he was a member of our Association for over 40 years. He was always a professional and just a wonderful person to be around.

“He was ill for several years and fought hard but he kept coming to the track,” Tubin added.

Mr. Bacon is survived by his wife, Ada; and several children.