William Slifka

William Slifka, 84, of Syracuse, passed away Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center. Born in Syracuse on Friday, August 14, 1925, he was the son of Nestor Slifka and Mary Ozogar Slifka. A lifetime resident of the Syracuse area, he served the federal government for a total of 38 years, retiring as an electronic quality assurance specialist with the Department of Defense in 1981. He was also formerly employed by the US Postal Service. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and communicant of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church. Bill was a well-known fiddler with local polka bands and also enjoyed annual reunions with the West End Survivors. Surviving are his beloved wife of 62 years, Beverly; daughter and son-in-law, Marybeth and James Cordon of Camillus; son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Ginger Slifka of Old Orchard Beach, Maine; sisters, Helen Fallat, Pauline Till, Rosemarie Baker and Margaret LaValle; brother, Peter Slifka Sr.; grandchildren, Kelly and James Cordon Jr., Candice LaSalle and William R. Slifka; three great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Services will be at 12:45 p.m. Saturday, December 12, 2009 at the Buranich Funeral Home, 5431 W. Genesee St., Camillus and at 1:30 p.m. in St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church where a Divine Liturgy for the Deceased will be celebrated. Relatives and friends may call Friday, December 11, 2009 from 4 to 7 p.m. with Panakhyda services at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Bill will be laid to rest in St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery.