Obituary: William Potopowitz II, 71, Of Waterford

Written by Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Homes

William Potopowitz II passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, May 20, 2018, at home. He was born in Maspeth, New York, on October 29, 1946, to the late William Potopowitz I and the late Mary Manuck Potopowitz, joined later by a brother Thomas Potopowitz.

Bill cherished his years growing up in the city as well as spending countless hours outdoors with his extended family. Throughout his life his cousins were great friends and fellow outdoorsmen, especially his lifelong buddy cousin Nick Macko.

Bill graduated from Grover Cleveland High School in Queens, New York in 1965, and he went on to become a journeyman pipefitter. He helped build many well-known buildings in New York City before moving to Connecticut to work for General Dynamics Electric Boat Division. It was there that Bill met his truly beloved wife Bobbie-Anne Havens Potopowitz, and they married on June 23, 1984.

Bobbie and Bill had a unique and deep love, spending many hours together at home and work through the years. They worked together at Foxwoods, his last place of employment, where he met many colleagues and customers that he held dear to his heart as friends.

Bill was an avid hunter and fisherman, including serving as an AKC hunter judge, and his passions included raising dogs, oxen, and goats, reading adventure and historical books, watching NYPD Blue and West Wing, and spending time outdoors. Most of all, Bill loved his family and spending time with his son William Potopowitz III, and his child William Potopowitz IV, and his daughter Melissa Potopowitz Green and son-in-law Richard Green Jr, and their children Amelia Maryrose, Julia Annarose, and Benjamin Richard.

Bill would tell you that nothing matters more in the world than your family and to always cherish them. Bill cared deeply for his friends and family, often telling engaging stories of his friends and loved ones.

He had many adored pets over the years, including his poodle Brandy and Leonberger Missy who are left to carry on with the rest of us. Bill had an amazing sense of humor and would support you in any way that he could.

He is already deeply missed and would want you to remember him by spending every moment you can outdoors enjoying nature, finding new adventures, and living your life to the fullest.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday, May 26, 2018 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons East Lyme Funeral Home (48 Grand Street Niantic). A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m.

Photo credit: John Lumb/Shutterstock.com