Obituary of William Kochem

Rotterdam - William E. Kochem Sr., 101, of Laura St., died Thursday, June 4, 2015, at Ellis Hospital. Bill was born in Schenectady, the son of Edward and Mary Kochem and was a graduate of Mont Pleasant High School. He was a hardworking husband and father, working through the years at General Electrical Co., Connelly's Dairy and a longtime bus driver for the Niskayuna School District. In the 1930s he served in the Civilian Conservation Corp, which he was very proud of. Bill was a skilled craftsman, loved Sunday rides with his wife, was a huge Red Sox fan and an avid gardener and baker. He was predeceased by his wife, Julia Kochem, they were married for 72 years at the time of her death in 2008. He is survived by six children, Patricia (Don) Bonk, Helena "Penny" Every, Richard Kochem, Gary (Rosemary) Kochem, William (Farlene) Kochem and Karen (Dean) Morris; six grandchildren, Jacqueline, Sharon, David, Gregory, Michael and Tim; and two great grandchildren, Sarah and Joey; and many nieces, nephews and friends. He was predeceased by all of his siblings. Funeral service, Monday morning, 8:15 a.m. from the Daly Funeral Home, Inc., 242 McClellan St., Schenectady, and 9 a.m. at St. Luke's Church, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Calling hours, Sunday evening, 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment, Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna. Memorial contributions may be made to Albany Medical AMC Foundation for the Children's Hospital, 47 New Scotland Ave., Albany, NY 12208 or SCIM, 1055 Wendell Ave., Schenectady, NY 12308 (for the Summer Reading Enrichment Program).