In 2004 what was predicted to be thunder storms turned out to be a tornado that broke all the rules, it challenged previous perceptions about tornadoes in both the formative and mature stages. The tornado destroyed more than half of downtown Utica and over 100 homes. Eight people died instantly of accidental causes, and six others were injured and trapped when the floor of a 100-year-old tavern, called Milestone, collapsed into the basement, where they had taken shelter. The collapse took place when a vehicle was hurled into the tavern’s main floor. Among the Eight victims this Memorial recognizes are; Wayne«Danky» Ball, Michael Jay Miller, Marian F. Ventrice, Carol Schultheis, Jay Vezain, Helen Studebaker Mahnke, Lawerence M. Ventrice, & Beverly J. Wood. On June 2, 2004, the Village Clerk’s son was stillborn. The clerk, Angela Brown, had worked 16-hour days following the tornado hit until his birth, and she stated her doctors attributed his death in part to stress as a result of this work. In a memorial service on April 19, 2005, the city of Utica recognized him as the ninth victim, who’s name is on the memorial as, Sean Kennedy Brown.
