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Family, friends and the Bills Mafia gather to celebrate Pancho Billa

Posted at 11:13 AM, Sep 22, 2019
and last updated 2019-09-22 11:13:48-04

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WKBW) — Family, friends and members of the Bills Mafia gathered outside of New Era Field Saturday to remember the late Bills super fan Ezra Castro, better known as Pancho Billa.

Castro died in May after a battle with cancer, but his legacy continues to live on.

A children's book called "Pancho Power" created by author Roselyn Kasmire and illustrator Michael Biondo, was released recently, which makes Pancho's dream a reality.

Now, just a day before the Bills home opener where Castro will be honored by the team during a pregame ceremony which will include his family, many gathered to remember him and what he meant to everyone he knew.

"I never thought that my brother could have an entire city behind him," Said Castro's brother Jamie. "And literally it's fans from across the nation that have come and expressed their gratitude and their love for my brother."

Castro's longtime girlfriend Veronica Borjon was not surprised at all by the outpouring of support.

"I knew this was going to happen because I knew how much he loved Buffalo, how much he loved the fans, how much he loved his friends and I knew the love he received as well," said Borjon.

Pancho's family says when the Bills take the field Sunday he'll be right there with them.

"Even though he's not here physically, he's with us in spirit," said Castro's brother Jamie. "He'll be there tomorrow. He'll be there leading the charge."