William Joseph "Bill" Polnak

William Joseph “Bill” Polnak, age 80, of Little Falls, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at the Abraham House in Rome after a short battle with cancer.

Born February 20,1944 in Troy, NY son of the late William Polnak and Charlette Ovitt. He lived in Watervliet until coming to live in Newville as a young boy to be raised on the family farm. Charlotte then married David Ovitt who was the father he never had and raised him as his son along with Bill’s brothers Joe and David. It was this upbringing that taught Bill all of his life skills and work ethic. It was here in Newville that Bill met the love of his life Lois Tabor. He first saw her hanging laundry out in the side yard as he was flying by on his motorcycle.

Bill and Lois married on May 12, 1962, in Little Falls and shared almost 60 years of marriage before Lois’s passing in 2022. In their life together they raised three children, Todd, Michele and Chad. Many memories were made with summer camping trips to Canadarago Lake and in the Adirondacks in Wells. So many “don’t tell your father" stories and as the “Little Bastard” Chad always told. All the holidays at Grandpa and Grandma’s house with Grandpa’s bark of” don’t run in the house” and “stay off the heat grate.” He took on the role of “Grandpa” to five granddaughters with all the love and joy that he had.

Bill enjoyed the outdoors in every season. From the spring fishing trips to Black Lake to summer camping in Canadarago Lake. Hunting season was the highlight of the year. He never missed an opportunity to master all the skills he learned. He was an unbelievable marksman and could always predict what the deer were going to do next. All the photos and meat that filled the freezer were proof of his successful time spent in the woods. Hunting stories were made and told at the “Home on the Hill” in Schall’s Hollow and at The Crickside Club Camp on Powley Rd. His wintertime passion was snowmobiling. So many stories started with “your mother and I…” and ended with laughter and pain as he recalled their adventures.

Throughout his working career he worked in many local businesses. He was last employed with the NYS Canal Corp. as a lock tender. Bill was never one to stay idle and was always helping everyone with whatever they needed. He was a jack of all trades and always working to make the extra buck. He was a master mechanic with anything that had a motor.

Bill was predeceased by his wife Lois and son, Todd. He is survived by daughter, Michele and husband Mike Simonelli, son, Chad and wife Jennifer Polnak, his five granddaughters, Laura Simonelli (Rob), Katie Simonelli (Sam), Elizabeth Simonelli (Karl with a K), Samantha (Mike) Frohm and Winter Polnak (Rich), two great grandchildren, Shepherd and Sophia Frohm. He is also survived by his two younger brothers, Joe Polnak (Donna) and David Ovitt (Linda) as well as his many brother and sister in-laws and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend their thanks to the staff at the Abraham House of Rome for their wonderful care at this difficult time.

Memorial visitation at Dan Enea’s-Mohawk Valley Funerals and Cremations, 7507 State Route 5, between Little Falls and St. Johnsville, 315-508-5131 will take place on Saturday, February 15, 2025, from 9-11 am. A celebration of his life will take place at a place to be announced following the visiting hours. Burial will take place at the convenience of his family. In lieu of flowers, please consider and send memorial donations in Bill’s name to the Abraham House.