Hubert Erwin

Hubert W. Erwin

Highland, NY - Bill Erwin, 77, of Highland NY, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, January 17, 2016, in Poughkeepsie, NY, surrounded by his family. He will be greatly missed by all.

Bill joins his wife Phyllis Catherine Nilsen Erwin, and is survived by his children, Valerie Ann Erwin, Andrew A. Erwin and wife Dr. Katja Fischer, Eric W. Erwin, Brian Flynn and wife Kim Failla, John Flynn and wife Katherine; his grand daughters, Kathrynn Titus and husband Dan Titus, Rachel Apfel and partner Bobby Fisko, Dr. Antonia Erwin and partner Peter Bylund, and his great-grandson Oliver Robert Titus; his sisters Patricia Jedlowski , Lorraine Erwin, Virginia Anderson and husband Russell, Dorothyanne Drummer and husband Al, and brother Phillip Erwin and wife Felicia, Brenda Sands, Brenda Maurer and Christine Levy; as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family. Bill was a loving husband, father and family patriarch, and a friend to all.

Bill was born Hubert William Erwin Jr. on December 20, 1938 to Hubert William Erwin Sr. and Anne Marie Connelly Erwin in Brooklyn, NY.

Bill was a Master Mechanic, rebuilding his first engine at age 12. He worked as an Auto Mechanic, taught auto mechanics at a trade school at night, and then became a Service Manager for a Chevrolet dealer. He was still sought out for his mechanical knowledge and advice to this day. In 1965 he joined the NYPD. He became a Detective and was assigned to the Narcotics Division and subsequently to the Intelligence Division until he retired in 1985. He became a Private Investigator until he joined Decision Strategies as a Managing Director of Investigation. He retired again in 2005; but he was still consulting in the field to this day.

Bill loved his country and was a staunch patriot. He was an excellent teacher and a masterful and humorous storyteller. He was his family's genealogist. He put his family above all things. He was always there to help family and friends with any support they needed from him. Bill respectfully embraced nature, was an avid bird watcher and gifted photographer. He was a great lover of animals, particularly dogs and horses, and taught all of his children to love and respect them.

Special thanks to the staff at Vassar Brothers Medical Center, for their devoted care.

Visitation will be from 2pm-4pm and 7pm-9pm at the Michael Torsone Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 38 Main Street, Highland NY 12528 on Friday, January 22nd. Funeral services for Bill will also be at the funeral home at 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 23rd. Bill will be laid to rest immediately after, at the Lloyd Cemetery in Highland, NY. All mourners are invited to join the family for lunch and a celebration of Bill's life at the VFW Hall in New Paltz, NY, directly after the burial.

Bill asked that for these events everyone may dress casually and comfortably with no ties required. In lieu of flowers, please pray for the safe release of his good friend Bob Levinson, and for his family. Donations may be made to the Long Island Greyhound Transfer at www.ligreyhound.org.

For directions, online condolences or to send the family a sympathy card, please visit our web site at www.torsonememorial.com