Bill Yosh

1945 - 2021

SAUGERTIES-Bill Yosh died on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021 after a valiant four and a half year battle with stomach cancer. Make no mistake, Dad did it his way. In spite of living with cancer he travelled and lived as if everything was ok. If you asked how he was, it was always in the affirmative. He never wanted to share a sad word lest he make you feel bad. In an uncertain world, there was one thing certain, Bill Yosh was a good, decent man. Bill was born Aug. 29, 1945 in Larksville, Pa. He was the son of Mary Wright Yosh and Stephen F. Yosh. He lost his dad at the age of two but was raised by a devoted mother and scores of loving siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins. He would often say that he had "the happiest childhood." Dad married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Motto in May 1967. Dramatically, he received his draft order the day before their wedding. He described his time in Vietnam as "days of complete boredom, interspersed with moments of utter terror." Thanks to the GI Bill, Dad attended Kings College in Wilkes Barre, PA while working part-time. He was offered a job at Kingston High School and moved his wife and baby to New York. He went on to receive his teaching certification at SUNY New Paltz and became a beloved English and Shakespeare teacher, mentor and friend for his 28-year career. He was an active member of The Pink Flamingo Society. We estimate Dad taught over 9000 students throughout his career. And while he has been retired for 20 years, his impact on his students is lasting. He was chosen by those same students to deliver their commencement address several years ago. Dad’s love of language and Shakespeare was no greater than his love of a good laugh. His humor was legendary. So was his love of Irish music. Dad was the proud cohost of The Irish Show on WKNY/Radio Kingston for 37 years. Every Sunday morning, people would tune in to listen to Dad and Ken Brett joke and fulfill song requests from their "fan base. Dad, who insisted he had a face for radio, loved his Irish Show business cards and would always have a dog-eared card in his wallet "just in case." Like his favorite football team, Notre Dame, Dad “played like a champion” every day. In 2002, Dad and Mom, together with Kingstonian Tom Fitzgerald, planned the first annual Hooley on the Hudson, a celebration of Irish culture on the banks of the Rondout Creek in Kingston, N.Y. Dad called the idea his "dream." Now, in its 20th year, the Hooley has become an iconic event attended by thousands from around the country. He is a Past Grand Marshall of the Ulster AOH St. Patrick’s Day Parade. He was a proud member of the Ulster County AOH, Knights of Columbus, American Legion and VFW. This memorial does not do justice to the man who always had a kind and encouraging word. A man who internalized injustices and disparities. He was a liberal-minded, educated empathetic man who loved his family and friends deeply and wholly. He is survived by his devoted wife, Barbara, his daughter Pam Yosh and son Bill Yosh Jr.; his granddaughters Emma Yosh and Anjolene Burch his son-in-law, John Connolly and daughter-in-law Alexandra Yosh and brother Stephen F. Yosh, Jr. He is predeceased by his sisters, Mary Antall, Anna Geraldine Lipski, brothers James and John Yosh. His beloved nieces, nephews, friends and cousins are too many to mention. You know who you are and you know how lucky we all are to have had him in our lives. Cremation and memorial arrangements are under the guidance of the Joseph V. Leahy Funeral Home, Inc. 27 Smith Avenue, Kingston. www.jvleahyfh.com A private Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saint Mary’s Church, Kingston. A memorial celebration will be planned in a post COVID world. Until then, you may know how much Dad loved a party. So at your next one, raise a glass, a parting glass, to a one in a million. To make a gift in his memory, please consider a gift to Forsyth Nature Center in Kingston, N.Y. Garnet Health Foundation: Spagnoli Family Cancer Center in Middletown, NY or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. http://www.lastingmemories.com/bill-yosh