Obituary for William E. "Bill" Lysogorski
LOUDONVILLE William “Bill” Lysogorski passed away peacefully on March 28, 2022 at the age of 83, surrounded by his family. Despite the challenges of ALS in recent months, his incredible strength continued to shine through with his charismatic smile and zest for life.
Born in Cohoes on February 25,1939, he was the son of the late Frank and Anna (Gorka) Lysogorski. Bill’s work ethic was formed at an early age, working full-time as a teenager to pay his tuition to attend La Salle Institute in Troy. Upon graduating in 1956, he served honorably in the US Navy and Naval Reserve until 1962 and attended Hudson Valley Community College.
Bill met his loving wife, Janice Jedrzejewski, at the Polish American Club in Albany. Despite standing her up for their first date (having to work the night shift), he soon swept her off her feet and they were the envy of anyone on a dance floor for decades. Family and friends gathered to happily celebrate their 60 years of marriage last November. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughters, Liz (Chris) Meyer of Cohoes, Debbie Gierka of Newmarket, NH, and Kim (Fred) Mussmacher of Grand Junction, CO; and by his siblings, Patricia (late William) Reu of Waterford, Daniel (Nancy) Lysogorski of Niskayuna, and Tom (Robin) Lysogorski of Latham. He was best known as “Poppy” to everyone in his later years, and beloved by his grandchildren, Jennifer Gierka, Lindsay (Peter) Balla, Justin (Dana) Gierka, Bryan Gierka and Austin Meyer, as well as his great-grandchildren, Ava Balla and Lucas Gierka.
Bill’s career spanned 44 years with Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation d/b/a National Grid, retiring in 2004 from his position as Regional Control Supervisor at the utility’s Eastern Regional Control Center (ERCC) in Guilderland. He contributed significantly to the ERCC’s operations design and was passionate about sharing his perspective on energy and power distribution. His first retirement didn’t last long, as he embarked on a second career as a Utility Analyst (and, informally, Social Director) for the NYS Department of Public Service. His original plan “to work a couple of years” turned into 10 years of service, which he attributed to the strong bonds of friendship formed during his tenure that endured beyond his retirement.
His interests outside of work were many. In the 1970s, he partnered with Janice as a Co-leader for the Hudson Valley Girl Scout Council. Parents and students at Shaker Road Elementary School during those years will likely remember “Friday Night at the Movies” and other fundraisers which supported their Girl Scout troop’s goal to travel by van cross country, pitching tents each night, to experience and explore the rugged wilderness of Girl Scout National Center West in the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming.
Bill was also a masterful woodworker and could skillfully fix most anything – for family and friends alike. Over the years, he enjoyed fishing, camping, playing hockey at Ann Lee Pond, skiing with his daughters, racquetball, tennis and running, keeping up with (or beating!) those much younger, even playing rec volleyball up until his second retirement. Poppy was ever-present and a big part of all his grandchildren’s events, activities, and milestones – he shared his big voice, enthusiastic spirit and endless support, creating countless memories they will always treasure.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 2 at 5:30pm in the Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 105 Vliet Blvd, Cohoes. Relatives and friends are invited to call between 3:00 and 5:30pm. Interment at St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands will follow later this spring.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter’s ALS Regional Center, 19 Warehouse Row, Albany, NY 12205 or at www.givetostpeters.org/donate (under “Designation” choose “St. Peter’s ALS Regional Center”) or to the Stern Foundation: Future of Ukraine to help house Ukrainian refugees in Poland at www.zrzutka.pl/en/future-of-ukraine.
The family wishes to extend a very special thank you to the staff at Shaker Place Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and St. Peter’s ALS Regional Center in Albany for their wonderful care and compassion.
Born in Cohoes on February 25,1939, he was the son of the late Frank and Anna (Gorka) Lysogorski. Bill’s work ethic was formed at an early age, working full-time as a teenager to pay his tuition to attend La Salle Institute in Troy. Upon graduating in 1956, he served honorably in the US Navy and Naval Reserve until 1962 and attended Hudson Valley Community College.
Bill met his loving wife, Janice Jedrzejewski, at the Polish American Club in Albany. Despite standing her up for their first date (having to work the night shift), he soon swept her off her feet and they were the envy of anyone on a dance floor for decades. Family and friends gathered to happily celebrate their 60 years of marriage last November. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughters, Liz (Chris) Meyer of Cohoes, Debbie Gierka of Newmarket, NH, and Kim (Fred) Mussmacher of Grand Junction, CO; and by his siblings, Patricia (late William) Reu of Waterford, Daniel (Nancy) Lysogorski of Niskayuna, and Tom (Robin) Lysogorski of Latham. He was best known as “Poppy” to everyone in his later years, and beloved by his grandchildren, Jennifer Gierka, Lindsay (Peter) Balla, Justin (Dana) Gierka, Bryan Gierka and Austin Meyer, as well as his great-grandchildren, Ava Balla and Lucas Gierka.
Bill’s career spanned 44 years with Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation d/b/a National Grid, retiring in 2004 from his position as Regional Control Supervisor at the utility’s Eastern Regional Control Center (ERCC) in Guilderland. He contributed significantly to the ERCC’s operations design and was passionate about sharing his perspective on energy and power distribution. His first retirement didn’t last long, as he embarked on a second career as a Utility Analyst (and, informally, Social Director) for the NYS Department of Public Service. His original plan “to work a couple of years” turned into 10 years of service, which he attributed to the strong bonds of friendship formed during his tenure that endured beyond his retirement.
His interests outside of work were many. In the 1970s, he partnered with Janice as a Co-leader for the Hudson Valley Girl Scout Council. Parents and students at Shaker Road Elementary School during those years will likely remember “Friday Night at the Movies” and other fundraisers which supported their Girl Scout troop’s goal to travel by van cross country, pitching tents each night, to experience and explore the rugged wilderness of Girl Scout National Center West in the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming.
Bill was also a masterful woodworker and could skillfully fix most anything – for family and friends alike. Over the years, he enjoyed fishing, camping, playing hockey at Ann Lee Pond, skiing with his daughters, racquetball, tennis and running, keeping up with (or beating!) those much younger, even playing rec volleyball up until his second retirement. Poppy was ever-present and a big part of all his grandchildren’s events, activities, and milestones – he shared his big voice, enthusiastic spirit and endless support, creating countless memories they will always treasure.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 2 at 5:30pm in the Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 105 Vliet Blvd, Cohoes. Relatives and friends are invited to call between 3:00 and 5:30pm. Interment at St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands will follow later this spring.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter’s ALS Regional Center, 19 Warehouse Row, Albany, NY 12205 or at www.givetostpeters.org/donate (under “Designation” choose “St. Peter’s ALS Regional Center”) or to the Stern Foundation: Future of Ukraine to help house Ukrainian refugees in Poland at www.zrzutka.pl/en/future-of-ukraine.
The family wishes to extend a very special thank you to the staff at Shaker Place Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and St. Peter’s ALS Regional Center in Albany for their wonderful care and compassion.