BUFFALO, N.Y. — A priceless painting autographed by baseball legend Joe DiMaggio is now back with the 93-year-old man who created it.
Tovie Asarese owns Royal Printing in Buffalo. The painting was allegedly stolen from there Wednesday.
When news of the theft was posted on Facebook, more than 2,000 people shared it. The artwork was eventually discovered for sale on eBay.
Later, the painting mysteriously appeared at Asarese's house, hidden near the back door. He thinks whoever stole the painting decided to return it.
Asarese is donating the painting to the McAuley Residence Rehab and Nursing Home in Kenmore where he currently lives.
"Friends of Tovie on the west side, we had over $2,000 that they were willing to give as a reward, and we didn't ask for any money," said Nick Bonafacio, Asarese's friend. "People were just responding. They knew how much this picture meant to my coach. My father had a saying one time: 'good things happen to good people.' and this is the case today."
Asarese was also the founder of the West Side Little League Football Club and the West Side Street Hockey Program.
He was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.