William C. Homyk

Herkimer - Mr. William (Vasil) Charles Homyk, 95, fell asleep in the Lord on Sunday, April, 5, 2015 in Valley Health Services with his family at his side. Bill was born in Conemaugh, PA on July 1, 1919, the son of the late Harry (Gregory) Homyk, Sr. and Anna Homyk (Naglowsky), coming, as he would often say, "on the first of the month with the rest of the bills." His family moved to Herkimer, soon after and settled on a farm where Herkimer County Community College is now located. Bill graduated from Herkimer High School in 1938. He also received his Civil Aeronautics Authority Aircraft Engine Mechanic Certificate from the Utica Aviation School in Marcy in 1941, after which he took employment with Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, East Hartford, CT. In 1942, he returned to Herkimer to help with the family farm. On February 21, 1954, Bill married Helen Evelyn Wilson of Middleville and moved to Miami, FL where he worked as a distributor for a chain of grocery stores, returning to Herkimer in 1959. Bill worked as a licensed real estate salesman for over 22 years with Basloe and Levin Realtors in Herkimer. He was instrumental in siting of the Herkimer County Community College on land previously farmed by the Homyk family. He and his family were partners in starting and running the College Hill Apartments housing complex located near the college. Later in life, he owned and managed numerous rental properties in the Village of Herkimer. Bill was a long-time communicant at Ss. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church in Herkimer. Influential in the move of the parish from its original site on Steele St. to its current location on Route 5 in East Herkimer in 1964, he served as treasurer and later president of the parish council, and was president of the parish cemetery association for over 36 years. In retirement, he enjoyed cruise ship travel with his wife, tinkering at his workbench, playing cards with friends and family, and watching the birds and deer in the backyard. He took great pride in seeing his children grow and start families of their own. Times when the entire extended family would gather back home in Herkimer were always a delight to Bill. William is survived by his wife Helen, of 61 years; children, William Alan and his wife Barbara (Daly) of Windermere, FL, Rdr. Andrew (Randy) and his wife Susan (Boyes) of Homestead, FL, Daniel and his wife Susan (Manley) of Herndon, VA, David and his wife Laura (Greer) of Beaufort, SC, and daughter Matushka Anastasia (Nancy) and her husband Fr. Dn. Demetrios (Dale) Richards of Rome; his grandchildren, Matthew, Andrew, Nicholas, Catherine, William, James, Alyssa, Kaylee, Christopher, Jacqueline, Peter, Vladimir and Daniel and many cherished nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, two brothers, Andrew and Harry and three sisters Matushka Anna (Rozdelsky) and Mary (Behuniak) and the child Anna. His funeral will be held Monday afternoon at 1:00 PM in SS. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church with the V. Rev. John Udics and V. Rev. Igor Burdikoff officiating. Interment will follow in SS. Peter and Paul Orthodox Cemetery. Calling hours will be Sunday from 4-8 PM in the Petykiewicz, Iocovozzi & Burns Funeral Home, 329 S. Washington St. Herkimer, with a Parastasis service on Sunday evening at 7:00 PM. Donations in William's memory may be made to the Memorial Fund of SS. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church, 305 Main Rd. Herkimer, NY 13350. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy may be placed on Bill's online memorial page by going to www.iocovozzifuneralhomes.com