County Legislature Honors The Memory Of William Bossidy

by Kieron Kramer
The Rensselaer County Legislature adjourned its legislative meeting on Tuesday, March 9, by passing a resolution honoring the memory of William Bossidy. The resolution stated, “[Because] it is consistent with the duty of this Legislative Body to recognize the contributions of the citizens of Rensselaer County, we honor a man who devoted his life to serving his community and country… it is the intent of this Legislative Body to convey its sincerest sympathy upon the death of William “Bill” Bossidy, which occurred on the ninth day of February of the year two thousand ten.
According to the resolution, Bossidy was the son of the late Bart and Mary Ruth Barden Bossidy and the husband of Gloria Mulbey Soucy Bossidy. Prior to moving to Poestenkill, in 1933, he resided in Hoosick, Cherry Plain and Lenox, MA. He was a graduate of Catholic Central High School, the former Veterans Vocational School, now HVCC, in Troy and attended the University of Long Island and the University of Maryland while in military service.
Bossidy was a veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam. The resolution described his military exploits, “He served with the 2nd Infantry Division in Europe and was awarded the Bronze Star twice for bravery, the Purple Heart twice for injuries received, the European Theater Ribbon with five Battle Stars, the Combat Medical Badge plus the Belgium Cross of War during the Battle of the Bulge and the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross. He was recalled into the U. S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict and retired from service in 1969 after serving in France, Turkey and the Pacific area as well as stateside bases. He was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal twice for outstanding services.”
According to the resolution, Bossidy was an involved member of his community, active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Past Commander of the Sullivan Jones VFW Post in Poestenkill, the Hudson Mohawk Counties Council, Third District and was the New York State Commander from 1984-1985. In 1985, he was appointed NY State adjutant and was responsible for moving the State headquarters from New York City to Albany where he served for four years and then for one more year as State quartermaster until retiring in 1990. Bossidy was elected to the National VFW Board of Directors in 1997 for a two year term, served as the Town of Poestenkill Supervisor for four years, was appointed Rensselaer County Budget Director for a ten-year term, served as the Clerk for the Rensselaer County Legislature for three years and was a longtime communicant of St. Henry’s Church in Averill Park.
The resolution said, “William Bossidy will be missed by his family – his second wife, Gloria, [his son] James [and wife] (Karen), [his son] Michael [and wife] (Sarah), his daughter-in-law, Bonnie, his grandchildren, Christopher, Ryan, Kaitlyn and Michaela, his sister-in-law, Kay, his nieces, Barbara and Nancy; as well as his many friends and acquaintances.”
In the resolution, the members of the Rensselaer County Legislature extended their deepest sympathy to his family, “fully confident that his contributions to his community will live on to serve as a legacy for all.” The Clerk of the Legislature will transmit a copy of the resolution, suitably engrossed, to the family of William Bossidy.
Park Closings
At this session the Legislature also passed a resolution opposing the closure of State Parks in Rensselaer County. The vote was not unanimous, however, since Richard Salisbury, who represents Cropseyville, Pittstown and Brunswick among other towns, voted against it. “People complain about the size of government but complain when they try to do something,” he said. “We’ve got to start somewhere.” Most Legislators want the State to keep the parks open by turning them over to towns or leasing them to private companies to run. The only State park scheduled to be closed in eastern Rensselaer County so far is the Bennington Battlefield in Hoosick.