Professor William Komanecky

CAYUGA < Professor William Komanecky, 74, of Genesee Street, Cayuga, died unexpectedly Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, in Auburn Memorial Hospital. Mr. Komanecky was born in Auburn, the son of the late Frank and Mary Mudrick Komanecky and resided in the Auburn-Cayuga area for most of his life. Mr. Komanecky was a graduate of West High School Class of 1951 and Auburn Community College class of 1958. He received his B.S. degree from Harpur College in 1960 and was awarded a masters degree in mathematics from Syracuse University. In 1965, Professor Komanecky joined the faculty of Auburn Community College and had the distinction of being the first graduate of the college to join the teaching faculty. He served as chairman of the Math, Science Engineering and Nursing Department. He retired as a full professor in 2003 after 38 years. Following his retirement, he continued to serve on the faculty in an adjunct capacity. In addition to serving as Department Chair, Professor Komanecky was named Teacher of the Year in 1971 by the Cayuga Community College Veterans Club, and in 1995 he received the Distinguished Alumni Award. He also served on the Cayuga County Community College Foundation Board and was a member of the Owasco Country Club. Mr. Komanecky served in the Navy during the Korean War. Surviving is his wife of 49 years, Jacquelyn O"Hara Komanecky, of Cayuga; two daughters, Melissa A. Komanecky, of Skaneateles and Valerie Komanecky Bartran, of Auburn; one son, Bradley W. Komanecky and his wife, Anne, of Rochester; two grandchildren, Joshua William Bartran and Emily Ruth Bartran; several nieces and nephews; and cousins, Thomas Atkins and Judith Tarry. As well as his "O"Hara Family," Ruth O"Hara, Ted O"Hara and his friend, Bronwyn O"Connor, and Lloyd O"Hara and his wife, Cathleen. Professor Komanecky was predeceased by his two brothers, Frank and James Komanecky, who died several years ago; and by his father-in-law, Ward W. O"Hara, who died in 1997. Friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian burial which will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 22, in Holy Family Church. Interment will be in Sand Beach Cemetery, Town of Fleming. Friends are invited to call from 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday, at the Brew Funeral Home, 48 South St., Auburn. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Cayuga County Community College Foundation, 197 Franklin St., Auburn, NY 13021; to the Ward W. O"Hara Agricultural Museum, 6880 East Lake Road, Auburn, NY 13021; or to Tyburn Academy, 17 Clymer St., Auburn, NY 13021. To send a message to the family, sign our guest book at www.auburnpub.com and click on obituaries.