Obituary of Seymour Katz

Seymour Katz, 90, formerly of New Windsor, NY, passed away peacefully on November 30, 2009 at Otsego Manor in Cooperstown, NY. Mr. Katz was born on May 13, 1919 in Manhattan, NY. A graduate of Liberty High School, he met his wife of 62 years, Rae "Pinky" Gottlieb while they both were working at Grossinger's Hotel in Liberty, NY. They moved to Newburgh, NY in 1951, and a few years later bought their first house in New Windsor, where they raised their four children. Cy, as he was known to all, worked for the New York State Employment Service for 33 years, where he also gave daily job service broadcasts over the local radio stations. He began his civil service career in Monticello as an Unemployment Insurance Claims Examiner and later worked in Middletown, Spring Valley and finally Newburgh where he worked his way up to Senior Interviewer for the Employment Service Division. Cy served on many committees, was active in the Public Employees' Federation, served as president of the Mid-Hudson chapter of the CSEA and was the president of the Newburgh Optimists Club from 1987 to 1989. He was a fixture at the annual Special Olympics events held in the Newburgh area. In addition to his regular job, Cy repaired televisions and radios on nights and weekends for many years. He wasn't afraid to tackle any repair job and will forever be remembered by all as "Mr. Fix-It". As a child, Cy enjoyed watching vaudeville acts in New York City. Later, growing up in the Catskill Mountains, he learned to tell jokes like the best of the "Borscht Belt" regulars. Even in declining health, Cy was known for keeping both the staff and his fellow residents laughing. He served in the U.S. Navy from August 1943 to February 1946 and was a member of Sampson Naval Training Base World War II Veterans. Cy volunteered for 10 years and delivered over 1,300 hours of volunteer work at the VA Hospital at Castle Point, NY. Cy is survived by his wife, Rae Gottlieb Katz; his three sons, Bruce Katz of Brooklyn NY; Herbert Katz of Shadow Hills, CA; William Katz of San Francisco, CA; two daughters, Debra Mack (Michael), of Burlington Flats, NY; Sandra Katz, of Kanab, UT; four grandchildren, Joshua Katz, and Molly, Sarah, and Emma Mack. He is predeceased by his brothers Allen, Jacob, and Leonard Katz, and his son Lawrence Katz. The family wishes to extend its love, gratitude and appreciation to the kind and caring staff of Otsego Manor and Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care. A graveside memorial service will be held at 12 p.m., Thursday, December 3, at the Jeffersonville Hebrew Cemetery, Route 52, Youngsville, NY with Cantor Endre Stamler officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Seymour's memory to Otsego Manor, 128 Phoenix Mills Cross Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326; Congregation Agudas Israel, 290 North Street, Newburgh, NY 12550; or the charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home of Monticello.