William Sagosz

William Sagosz, 95, of Tinton Falls died peacefully on April 13, 2015. He was born and grew up Bayonne, NJ. After graduating high school he joined the Navy and served in the Pacific during WW II on the USS Schroeder and the USS Steamer Bay during the invasion of Okinawa. During a brief leave from the war, Bill married his home town sweetheart, Olga Benda to whom he was married for 46 years. While working for Western Electric after his military service, he began his family and earned a BS in engineering from Farleigh Dickenson University. William spent his career as an engineer for AT&T working at Western Electric and Bell Laboratories until his retirement in 1985. In addition to his professional career, he was president of the West Orange Library for many years and was instrumental in overseeing the building of their new facilities. He served on the vestry of the Church of the Holy Communion in South Orange where he was a member for over 30 years. Bill had a lifelong love of music and played trumpet and coronet in numerous bands and orchestras throughout New Jersey. After retirement, he studied painting and sculpture and frequently exhibited his work in art shows. After the death of his dear wife, he moved to Sitka, Alaska for six months to serve as a volunteer at the Sheldon Jackson Presbyterian College which served the local Tlingit Indian population. He was always an avid runner and ran 5 miles a day until he was 80 years old.In 2003, Bill moved to Seabrook Village and became a very active member of the retirement community. He hosted a weekly Seabrook TV show, enjoyed Tai Chi, ballroom dancing and sang and led the Protestant church choir. An enthusiastic performer, Bill loved participating in numerous musical plays and talent shows with the Seabrook Players. He would often jump at the chance to organize and lead sing-a-longs with his fellow retirees and family. Bill was a very ge3nerous and caring man. He always tried to help someone who was in need. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.William is survived by three children: Sons Alan (Cynthia,) of Little Silver, Timothy (Laura) of Olympia, WA. and daughter Nancy Jerusik (Mark) of Chester, MA. He is also survived by three grandchildren Christine, Christopher and Johnathan and one great-grandchild, Camryn who all adored him. Bill also leaves behind his dear friend, tango partner and fellow traveler Elinor Wenzel of Seabrook Village.Visitation will be held Friday from 4-8pm at Koch Funeral Home, Bayonne. The funeral service will be held at St. Peter and Paul's Russian Orthodox Church., Bayonne Saturday at 9am. A public memorial service will be held at Seabrook Village, 3000 Essex Road, Tinton Falls, NJ on Friday, April 24 at 2pm.