Contributions to the tribute of William P. Slavoski

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Friday, February 16, 2024

There are no words to say how sad I am on the passing of Bill, and family had been our extended family over 60 years to say he will be miss is an understatement. RIP Bill and fly high with the angels, I know my Mom and Dad greeted you with open arms Kathy Kane Knowlton

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Peter and Linda McGrath donated to ST JUDE CHILDRENS RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC

Thursday, February 15, 2024

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Thomas Kane donated to ST JUDE CHILDRENS RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC

Thursday, February 15, 2024

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Sheila Goodwin, Tom Kane, Sally Kane and Kathy Knowlton purchased flowers

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Sheila Goodwin, Tom Kane, Sally Kane and Kathy Knowlton

purchased the Sentiments of Serenity Spray for the family of William Slavoski. Send Flowers

In loving tribute to a wonderful friend and mentor who was always there to support our family.

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Glen, Gina and Gabbie LeBlanc purchased flowers

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Glen, Gina and Gabbie LeBlanc

purchased the White Florist's Choice for the family of William Slavoski. Send Flowers

Dear Teddyann, Brian and Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

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Tom Kane posted a condolence

Thursday, February 15, 2024

I find myself profoundly saddened by the news of Bill’s death and I want his family to know that many of us who knew and loved him are grieving with them. Over the long arch of Bill’s life, he touched many people and they were made better for having known him. I got to know Bill because he was my father’s best friend; and it seemed he became an extension of our family. My dad and Bill were both from Pennsylvania and both were exceptional educators. Their bond was so strong that each knew that the other would always be there for them when a need arose. I learned much from Bill’s example. Their friendship taught me a lot about the nature of friendship and how to be a truly worthy friend. Often the need usually arose around work that was required to maintain a house—something that Bill excelled at and my father, well let’s just say he was lucky to have Bill as a friend. My favorite example of this can be found in story I still tell. Our kitchen sink was backed up and full of a black disgusting mess. As usual Bill was under the sink and my dad was handing him things. In lieu of the bucket Bill asked for, my father handed him my mother’s best turkey roasting pan which was soon filled with the contents of the sink which had flowed out of the pipes once Bill removed the trap. Needing extra room to work the snake Bill passed out the pan to my dad saying, “Jerry will you get rid of this.” I saw the look of confusion on my dad’s face, but he rapidly came up with a solution. Before I could call out, he calmly walked to the sink and pour in the toxic mess. The sound of Bill’s head, as he bolted up, and struck a pipe will never leave my memory. But neither will I forget the grace with which he handled the situation. Sputtering the vile liquid, he sat up out of the kitchen cabinet, looked at my father with neither anger nor malice detectable on his face and held out a hand and said two words, “Jerry, towel.” Later, they both had a good laugh about it, and I learned something important about friendship, patience, and grace under pressure. To me, Bill was like having a second father and a mentor all rolled into one. He had a way of talking to you that let you know that you and your ideas and your ambitions were important. He took time to just sit, and talk, and most importantly, listen. Many of the values I find important and much of what I have become is due to Bill. I will always remember his soft laugh and his ability to find the humor in most situations. I can’t ever recall Bill ever laughing at someone, but he would often laugh with them or at the absurdity of a situation. When mistakes were made, he found ways to teach and encourage without ever embarrassing the individual. His gentle manner and his unfailing respect for those around him taught me much about what is really encompassed in becoming a man worthy of the name. As our public discourse becomes more and more coarse, I can’t help but thinking what a better place the world would be if all of us could model our speech and how we treat each other after example given to us by Bill. Speaking of Bill’s speech, he had some quaint terms he would use from time to time. He referred to a group of boys, often his lifeguards as the “lads”. I never knew anyone else who ever used the word. Bill took it into his mind that I should become one of the lads at some point. He coached me on the required strokes to pass the Junior and Senior Lifesaving course, which thanks to him I did. It was then I got to go to work as a lifeguard at Westbrook Swim Club. I don’t know that I would have gotten through on my own but with him pushing me and me not wanting to disappoint him it happened, and it changed my life in so many positive ways. It gave me confidence and it opened opportunities that prepared me for my later career as a trial lawyer. Trust me, no judge could ever intimidate me after I spent a fewer summer going toe to toe with angry members wanting more time on the tennis court. For this and for so much more I will always be indebted to Bill. Like my dad, Bill was a man of faith. He was a devoted Catholic. But as the saying goes, “going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.” Bill was a Catholic who lived his life in a Christ-like fashion. He took the message of the Gospels to heart as was demonstrated by how he conducted himself over the course of his long well-lived life, by his generous and caring nature, by the way he treated all with dignity and compassion. Bill believed in the promise of a life hereafter and he lived a life that richly deserves the reward. If there is any justice in the universe, and I believe there is, today Bill is organizing a pick-up basketball game in heaven and joyously running on knees that know no pain. We will all miss Bill, but the burden falls most heavily on those closest to him, his wife Teddy and children, Bill and Teddyann. I live in Florida now and I am unable to make the arrangements to come to the services, but please know my sisters and I grieve with you, and you will all remain in our hearts, in our prayers and on our minds.

T

Thomas Kane posted a condolence

Thursday, February 15, 2024

I find myself profoundly saddened by the news of Bill’s death and I want his family to know that many of us who knew and loved him are grieving with them. Over the long arch of Bill’s life, he touched many people and they were made better for having known him. I got to know Bill because he was my father’s best friend; and it seemed he became an extension of our family. My dad and Bill were both from Pennsylvania and both were exceptional educators. Their bond was so strong that each knew that the other would always be there for them when a need arose. I learned much from Bill’s example. Their friendship taught me a lot about the nature of friendship and how to be a truly worthy friend. Often the need usually arose around work that was required to maintain a house—something that Bill excelled at and my father, well let’s just say he was lucky to have Bill as a friend. My favorite example of this can be found in story I still tell. Our kitchen sink was backed up and full of a black disgusting mess. As usual Bill was under the sink and my dad was handing him things. In lieu of the bucket Bill asked for, my father handed him my mother’s best turkey roasting pan which was soon filled with the contents of the sink which had flowed out of the pipes once Bill removed the trap. Needing extra room to work the snake Bill passed out the pan to my dad saying, “Jerry will you get rid of this.” I saw the look of confusion on my dad’s face, but he rapidly came up with a solution. Before I could call out, he calmly walked to the sink and pour in the toxic mess. The sound of Bill’s head, as he bolted up, and struck a pipe will never leave my memory. But neither will I forget the grace with which he handled the situation. Sputtering the vile liquid, he sat up out of the kitchen cabinet, looked at my father with neither anger nor malice detectable on his face and held out a hand and said two words, “Jerry, towel.” Later, they both had a good laugh about it, and I learned something important about friendship, patience, and grace under pressure. To me, Bill was like having a second father and a mentor all rolled into one. He had a way of talking to you that let you know that you and your ideas and your ambitions were important. He took time to just sit, and talk, and most importantly, listen. Many of the values I find important and much of what I have become is due to Bill. I will always remember his soft laugh and his ability to find the humor in most situations. I can’t ever recall Bill ever laughing at someone, but he would often laugh with them or at the absurdity of a situation. When mistakes were made, he found ways to teach and encourage without ever embarrassing the individual. His gentle manner and his unfailing respect for those around him taught me much about what is really encompassed in becoming a man worthy of the name. As our public discourse becomes more and more coarse, I can’t help but thinking what a better place the world would be if all of us could model our speech and how we treat each other after example given to us by Bill. Speaking of Bill’s speech, he had some quaint terms he would use from time to time. He referred to a group of boys, often his lifeguards as the “lads”. I never knew anyone else who ever used the word. Bill took it into his mind that I should become one of the lads at some point. He coached me on the required strokes to pass the Junior and Senior Lifesaving course, which thanks to him I did. It was then I got to go to work as a lifeguard at Westbrook Swim Club. I don’t know that I would have gotten through on my own but with him pushing me and me not wanting to disappoint him it happened, and it changed my life in so many positive ways. It gave me confidence and it opened opportunities that prepared me for my later career as a trial lawyer. Trust me, no judge could ever intimidate me after I spent a fewer summer going toe to toe with angry members wanting more time on the tennis court. For this and for so much more I will always be indebted to Bill. Like my dad, Bill was a man of faith. He was a devoted Catholic. But as the saying goes, “going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.” Bill was a Catholic who lived his life in a Christ-like fashion. He took the message of the Gospels to heart as was demonstrated by how he conducted himself over the course of his long well-lived life, by his generous and caring nature, by the way he treated all with dignity and compassion. Bill believed in the promise of a life hereafter and he lived a life that richly deserves the reward. If there is any justice in the universe, and I believe there is, today Bill is organizing a pick-up basketball game in heaven and joyously running on knees that know no pain. We will all miss Bill, but the burden falls most heavily on those closest to him, his wife Teddy and children, Bill and Teddyann. I live in Florida now and I am unable to make the arrangements to come to the services, but please know my sisters and I grieve with you, and you will all remain in our hearts, in our prayers and on our minds.

B

Bill & Dale Slavoski donated to ST JUDE CHILDRENS RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

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Barbara Habeeb posted a condolence

Monday, February 12, 2024

I will always be indebted, to Mr. Slavoski. He’s the man who hired me in the South Plainfield school district and gave me my career. He was my favorite principal and a wonderful man. May he rest in peace.

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The family of William P. Slavoski uploaded a photo

Sunday, February 11, 2024

A Memorial Tree was planted for William Slavoski

Saturday, February 10, 2024

We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at McCriskin – Gustafson Home For Funerals, LLC Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree

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William P. Slavoski

1933 - 2024

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