William "Ski" Bartosiewicz

1939 - 2022

William "Ski" Bartosiewicz
Dec. 29, 1939 - Feb. 3, 2022
Volcano, CA
It is with great sadness that the family of William "Ski" Stanley Bartosiewicz, a resident of Volcano, CA, announce his passing, on February 3, 2022 , at the age of 82.

A multi-talented and outgoing man, Ski was raised in Farmingdale, NY and graduated from high school in 1957. Following high school, Ski enlisted in the Navy and as a parachute rigger served on the USS Ranger (CV-61) in support of Carrier Air Group 9, squadron 93 the "Blue Blazers". Upon completion of the Ranger's second WestPac cruise in 1960, Ski was honorably discharged.

With the encouragement of his brother-in-law, a FDNY firefighter, Ski chose to become a firefighter, a job that would become his life's work and passion.

After short stints at Millbrae and Foster City Fire, Ski went to work for San Jose Fire Department where he would go on to a career spanning more than 3 decades. Over the course of his long career at San Jose, Ski served as firefighter, engineer, and captain. During his tenure at SJFD, Ski served as the President of Firefighters Union, Local 873 and was instrumental in ensuring that firefighters were trained as EMTs. While captain at station 30, he and firefighter, Tony Ojeda, spearheaded a public relations project that would culminate in the "Shark Engine", a repurposed 1983 Mack reserve engine with custom paint to look like a shark, in celebration of the local NHL Team, the San Jose Sharks.

Throughout his life, Ski always enjoyed meeting people and was committed to his large circle of colleagues and his family. Ski is survived by sons, Mike and Matt, and his daughter Heather. His grandchildren, Mia, Ava, Liam, Gabe, Tatum, Tess and great granddaughter, Aria. A memorial for Ski will be held on March 26th, at 11 AM, at the San Jose Fire Museum, 201 N. Market Street, San Jose, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to the San Jose Fire Museum.


View the online memorial for William "Ski" Bartosiewicz