Obituaries

William John Bekiesz Sr.

William John Bekiesz Sr., age 85, of Riverhead passed away March 12, 2016, at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead. 

He was born Sept. 22, 1930, in Hartford, Conn., to William J. Bekiesz and Helen Czajakowski Bekiesz.

William served in the U.S. Air Force from 1950 to 1954. He worked for Grumman in Calverton as a painter. He belonged to Riverhead Polish Independence Club and Riverhead American Legion. He was a devoted parishioner at St. Isidore R.C. Church and would help clean the church after mass.

William loved taking walks, painting, gardening and building model cars. As an animal and nature lover he loved to feed birds and rescue stray animals. He was also an outdoors man having an interest in hunting, fishing and camping at Indian Island Park in Riverhead. He loved spending time with his family and playing with his grandchildren.

William is survived by his loving wife of 63 years Dorothy (Sabo); beloved children Diane Rambo, William Jr., Kathleen Bekiesz-Histand, Steven and Sharon Bekiesz-Gallo. He was a devoted grandfather to 15; great-grandfather of 12 and great-great-grandfather of 2. He is also survived by his sisters Amelia O’Brien and Dolores Santomeno.

William was predeceased by his dear sister, Paula Bekiesz and his beloved Maltese, Shelby.

The family will receive visitors Tuesday, March 15, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Tuthill-Mangano Funeral Home in Riverhead. A Mass of Christian burial will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 16, at St. Isidore R.C. Church in Riverhead, with Father Robert Kuznik officiating. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.

This is a paid notice.