Southold Hero Laid To Rest

CUTCHOGUE, NY — A broken-hearted crowd of mourners turned out both Wednesday and Thursday to bid final farewells to a man who touched all of their lives.

H. William "Bill" Sawicki of Southold, Southold Town Police Department Lieutenant and former Southold Town Fire Department Chief and Commissioner, died on Sunday, March 24, 2019. He was 61 years old.

The family received friends on Wednesday and the Liturgy of Christian Burial was celebrated on Thursday morning at Our Lady of Ostrabrama Roman Catholic Church in Cutchogue, officiated by Father Mariusz Gorazd. Police officers and first responders formed a solid wall of support under brilliant blue skies as mourners filed solemnly into the church.

(Lisa Finn)

Huge fire department flags flew over the roadways for the services; mourners were silent as a flyover paid respect.

Interment took place at Saint Patrick's Roman Catholic Cemetery in Southold.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Kanas Center for Hospice Care or Southold Fire Department would be appreciated.

(Lisa Finn)

Hearts were broken on the North Fork at the sad news: "On this day, my best friend of 55 years left us and went to Heaven," wrote Joseph McCarthy. "While my heart is broken, I am comforted knowing that he has joined God, and all the people he loved that went before him. 'You were one in a million, Bill, and I will always treasure the memories. Rest in Peace, my Brother, Until we meet again' . . .He was a true native son of Southold."

Many who loved him shared stories on social media of a man whose gentle, kind spirit and caring heart leave a forever legacy.

(Patch courtesy photo)