William Yorzyk

Wow! I am truly saddened to hear the news. Dr. Yorzyk was such an amazing man. He was our lead speaker at a Northampton High swimming awards event in early 1980's. In today's day and age, his speech would have gone viral instantly. Dr. Yorzyk encouraged higher education over swimming, but keep swimming to stay humble and grounded. Being in the same space as him, everybody knows you are standing with greatness. He said to us "don't waste your time while you are here without making...

When I was i called him Sonny. His parents did too. He lived next door to my family in Northampton MA. He and my sister were pals. He moved to another neighborhood in the 1950’s. His mother and my mother were waitresses at the same restaurants. He was ten years older than me but was my role model. He would give me school emblems so that my mother could sew them on my jackets. He took me places ie; Boy Scout camp to swim, deliver flowers from the florist he worked for, practice swimming...

So sorry for Your loss. Bill was my swimming instructor back in the 50's at Springfield College. He had just garnered a Gold medal for the butterfly in the Olympics. Again so sorry he has passed.

Dear Carol and family, I would like to extend my sincere condolences on Bill's passing. I was just speaking to one of the Wesson Women's nurses earlier this week about those Partners who had passed. I will call her and tell her that bill has now passed as well. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Jen and Jeff. God bless you all and help you through this sad time. Isabel Butterfield

As a young competive swimmer I was inspired by him. Later as an adult master swimmer I once swam with him and was humbled.
Sorry for his loss.