William Lehecka Obituary

William "Bill" Edward Lehecka

July 10, 1942 - Aug. 1, 2023

QUEENSBURY - William "Bill" Edward Lehecka, 81, of Queensbury, New York, passed away on August 1st, 2023, in Utica, NY.

He was born to parents, Richard C. and Gertrude Lehecka on July 10th, 1942 in Brooklyn, New York. Bill attended Chaminade High School in Mineola, NY before transferring to Marianist Prep in Beacon, NY, where he graduated in 1960 and became a Marianist Brother. He attended the University of Dayton in Dayton, OH, earning a Bachelor's in Business Administration in 1964. Bill left the order in 1972. He met his future wife, Elizabeth A. Vollaro, soon after. They married on December 3rd, 1977, in Hastings-On-Hudson, NY. Together they raised 3 children.

Excellent with numbers, Bill was an accountant for Meadowbrook Ford (now Syosset Ford) and Morris Ford in Burnt Hills, NY, even winning perfect accounting awards during his time at Meadowbrook Ford. He became a partner at Syosset Ford until his retirement in 1999. In retirement, he purchased Halfpipe Mike's Skate Park in South Glens Falls, NY, in 2004 and renamed it Halfpipe Thrills as a means for young people to skate in an indoor controlled environment.

A tenor, Bill enjoyed singing in church choirs and music groups, as well as participating in bell choirs. He was a choir member of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (now Our Lady Queen of Peace) in Rotterdam, NY, Sts. Philip and James in St. James, NY, and Our Lady of the Annunciation in Queensbury, NY, serving as a cantor for some Masses. He was also a member of the Babylon Chorale when he lived on Long Island.

Bill was a massive fan of the New York Mets, having attended Games 3, 4, and 5 of the 1969 World Series and Game 6 of the 1986 World Series (with his son) in person.

He loved working with children to help improve their lives, whether it was working with at-risk youth and children in foster care (from his time at St. John's Residence for Boys) or being an active member of Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Bill also was a tinkerer, whether it be as a mechanic while attending the University of Dayton, or working with cutting-edge technology, always being an early adopter when it came to new tech.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth "Betty" Lehecka, on August 21, 2021, and his parents, Richard and Gertrude. He is survived by his brother, Richard R. Lehecka, and his three children, William R. (Cassandra Olin) Lehecka, Anne-Marie (Anthony) Rendell, and Mary (David) Lang. Bill is also survived by 3 grandchildren (Julia, Rachel, and Wyntersilver), and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated on October 6, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Annunciation Church, Queensbury, NY. Bill's inurnment will take place, along with that of his beautiful wife, Betty, at Pine View Cemetery, Queensbury, immediately following the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region in Bill's name.

Arrangements are under the direction of McGrath, Myslinski, Kowalczyk & Nunn Funeral Directors, 470 French Rd., Utica.

Messages of sympathy at www.mmknfd.com