William J. Slifka

1923 - 2016

William J. Slifka 1923 - 2016
PLEASANT LAKE/DOLGEVILLE - Mr. William J. Slifka, 92, a resident of Pleasant Lake, and retired administrator of North Hudson Woodcraft Company, of Dolgeville, died Saturday, October 22nd, 2016, in Little Falls Hospital, of natural causes.
Mr. Slifka was born in Dolgeville, on November 16th, 1923, the son of the late William and Anna (Weinschrider) Slifka and was a graduate of Dolgeville High School. He continued his education by attending Albany Business College and after returning from World War II, he attended Utica College.
A veteran of the United States Navy, he served honorably from February 1943 until his discharge in May of 1946. While serving, he earned the following military awards: American area Victory Medal World War II, Good Conduct medal, and SK2C.
He was united in marriage to the former Carol Johannsen on June 16, 1948, in Dolgeville. His wife predeceased him on January 25, 2011.
Bill began his working career with the General Electric Company, in Schenectady, prior to the his military service and in 1948, he relocated, with his wife, to Booneville, NY, where he served as plant manager and president of the Ethan Allen Furniture Company until 1978. They then relocated to Dolgeville, where he took over the operation of the North Hudson Woodcraft Company, officially retiring from there in 2014.
Bill's personal enjoyment came from his many golf outings with his close friends, along with downhill skiing and his love of music. In his younger years, he played in a group called the Dixieland group and was paid the sum of $2.00 for the evening and all the hot dogs you could eat. Bill was a faithful member of St. Joseph's Church in Dolgeville.
He is survived by a son and his wife, Jeffrey and Laurie Slifka; and a daughter, Sandra Slifka, of Brookfield, CT and Pleasant Lake; his grandchildren, Alexandra Slifka, of Rochester, and Eric Slifka, attending Berkley College of Music in Boston; and a sister-in-law, Claudia Wein, of Dolgeville. He was predeceased by his sisters, Marion Bender and Theresa Picket.
A Funeral Mass and Celebration of his Life will be offered on Saturday, November 12th, 2016, at 11:00 AM, in St. Joseph's Church, North Helmer Avenue, Dolgeville. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery, with Military Honors by the United States Navy. The family will receive friends both prior to and after the Funeral Mass.
Memorials may be sent to the S & S Ambulance Corps. at 75 North Helmer Avenue, Dolgeville, NY 13329.
A message of sympathy or a remembrance of Bill may be sent to the family at www.robertsfuneralcare.com.
His arrangements are entrusted to the Roberts Funeral Home, 3 Faville Avenue, Dolgeville, NY.