Obituary of Paul J. Szemkow, Sr.

Paul J. Szemkow, Sr., 90, of Troy and formerly of Cloverlawn Road, in the Town of Brunswick, peacefully entered into eternal life after on Thursday, March 15, 2018.

Born and educated in Troy, he was the son of the late John and Catherine Nicewicz Szemkow and the beloved husband of the late Ruth Jones Szemkow who passed away on January 10, 1993 and Mary M. Wagner Szemkow of Troy. Mr. Szemkow served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Mr. Szemkow worked for GE as a maintenance foreman, and later retired from Norton Co. in Watervliet on June 1, 1983 and then had been employed by NAPA in Troy for 7 years until 1990 when he retired once again.

Paul served his community as a Lieutenant with the Fire Police of the Center Brunswick Volunteer Fire Company in Center Brunswick. He was a communicant of St. Augustine’s Church in Lansingburgh and had previously been a communicant of Our Lady of Victory Church in Sycaway

Beloved husband of Mary of Troy and the late Ruth, devoted father of Paul (Joyce) Szemkow, Jr. of Sylvan Beach, NY, Judith (late, Jim) Lucia of Interlaken, FL and John (Jessica) Szemkow of Hawaii and the late Edward C. Szemkow who passed away on July 18, 2017, cherished grandfather of Max (Danielle) Szemkow and their daughter Isabella; granddaughter Katrina and her son Luke; and granddaughter Candace; also survived by several nieces and nephews.  He was also a devoted father to his adult step-children, John A. Blair, Christopher Blair, Timothy Blair and their spouses and children.  The youngest of his family growing up in Troy, he was predeceased by three half-brothers and two half-sisters.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday morning, March 24, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. at St. Augustine's Church in Lansingburgh.

Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Friday, March 23, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at John J. Sanvidge Funeral Home, Inc., 565 Fourth Avenue (at the corner of 115th Street in Lansingburgh) Troy, NY 12182.

Interment will be held in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Troy.

The Szemkow family wishes to extend their most sincere appreciation to the Samaritan Hospital ICU doctors, nurses and staff, who made his transition into the eternal life with skillful and compassionate care. May they receive The DAISY Team Award. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Augustine’s Church Preservation Fund, 25-115th St., Troy, NY 12182, in memory of Paul J. Szemkow, Sr.

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