William "Bill" B. Tarasek

LOWVILLE – William B. “Bill” Tarasek, 73, of West Martinsburg Road, passed away Tuesday, August 20, 2024 under the loving care of his family and Lewis County Hospice.

A funeral Mass will be said at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church in Houseville, Rev. Douglas Decker, Pastor, officiating.  Burial will follow in Martinsburg Cemetery. A luncheon at St. Hedwig's Church Fellowship Hall will immediately follow the burial, all are welcome.  Any food donations  may be brought directly to St. Hedwing's Church Fellowship Hall on Saturday morning.  Calling hours are Friday, August 23, from 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Iseneker Funeral home, 5702 Waters Road, Lowville. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Friends of Lewis County Hospice, P.O. Box 266, Lowville, NY  13367, or The Children’s Miracle Network, 830 Washington Street, Watertown, NY 13601.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Debbie; his three children, Aimee Tarasek and her husband, Patrick Cuffe and their sons, Lucas and Devin of New York Mills; John Tarasek and his partner, Kala Kaiser and John’s son, Tyler of Whitesboro; and Kimberly Olmstead and her husband Steven and their daughter, Aria of Waterville; three siblings, Frances Gaylord of Turin, Henry and Cheryl Tarasek of Glenfield, and Andy and Bonnie Tarasek of Turin; several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents; a brother-in-law, Eugene Gaylord, a cousin, Ward “Butch” Tarasek.

Bill was born in Lowville on October 2, 1950, to the late John and Jennie Dauksza Tarasek.  He graduated from Lowville Academy Central School in the class of 1968 and furthered his education, graduating from both SUNY Morrisville and SUNY Oswego. Bill then taught in Schenectady for two years.  On August 9, 1980, he married Debbie Shettle at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Lowville.  After the death of Bill’s mother, the couple took over the family farm, where they raised heifers. Bill taught shop class and driver’s education at Copenhagen Central School for 30 years, until his retirement.

He enjoyed, farming, hunting, snowmobiling and grooming trails, building and fixing things, drag racing, his Camaros, bowling in both the men’s Thursday night league and the Sunday night co-ed league at Lewis Lane’s, but above all, he enjoyed the time spent with his grandchildren.  

Bill was a communicant of St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church, Houseville.  He was also a member of BPOE #1605, Lowville Elk’s Lodge and the Valley Snow Traveler’s Snowmobile Club.

Memories and condolences may be made online at www.isenekerfuneralhome.com.

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