Book of Memories for William "Billy" Zurynetz

Story shared: Starsky & Hutch at WPC aka, BIll on the Hill!

Mon, 12 Jan 2015 11:31:02 EST

My dear friend BIll, I'm at a loss for words...here it is 2014 and I'm writing this from Nanyuki, Kenya. I was just going through my address book to see if I could find you and catch up...but instead, I'm reading the stories of how you touched so many lives and left this world way too soon.

We met first day of college at Willaim Paterson...Bill Z., Bill B. and I became the 3 muskateers of the communications department. They sweetly called my Mom, "Big C" and she knighted them "Starsky and Hutch!" to keep down the confusion on who was to answer when we said "Bill!"

We explored communication classes, movies, Prof Stein's Marriage and Family class and they told a wee tale to our Archaeology professor...a sad story to create sympathy for a girl who couldn't keep her eyes open in the 8 AM class!

Bill was with me the night I signed off the air at the WPC Radio station and a stalker was waiting outside. "Hutch" stood between me and the guy, like a big brother, protecting me and then took me to the diner to calm down. We made trips to NYC, talked over assignements and I chided him for blowing the horn too much at the other drivers...but he was kind, and a dear friend! I will miss you dear "Hutch!"

May your eternity be sweet...rest peacefully dear friend.

My deepest sympathy to your sister and your family...

Memorial Candle lit by John OConnor

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 19:57:35 EDT

The O\'Connor Family

Condolence From Andrea Martin

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 18:08:28 EDT

I met Bill over twenty years ago through our association with POPAI and he always greeted me with a smile! A talented man, his contributions to our many POPAI successes were immeasurable! Our Marina del Rey sailing trips after our California meetings were always a highlight and Bill's friendship will always be a cherished memory.

Story shared: Like first love

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 18:48:20 EDT

I met Bill at Taps about 5 years ago and fell into an instant "like". We talked for hours over the years and yet I felt I didn't know him well enough. I don't think anyone could get enough of him, and he had plenty to share. When Taps closed, the group went over to MVP's to follow our bartender, Betty. I hit on Bill many times in jest and seriously. We remained friends and were always glad to see each other. I live 25 miles away, but wouldn't miss my Wednesday rondevous with him. I last saw him on his birthday just a few weeks ago and gave him a blue cableknit eweater. I missed the last Wednesday meeting because I was in the hospital with pneumonia and then heard the devastating news. Can't make it to the services because I was just discharged. I do find comfort in knowing we became closer just recently. We held hands at the bar and he would stroke my arm. I would then scatch his back. We were cute. Like teens learning how to get closer. I weep out loudly at our loss and remember that I made his last weeks peaceful as I bandaged his scatches and told him he smelled good. Please make sure Diana knows her Uncle Bill loved her very much. He always had pictures of her and would tell me how he walked her to school. He not only loved her, he LIKED her. He was proud of her and thought she was growing up to be a bright, funny and savy young lady. I will miss my friend very much.

Story shared: AND THAT MASTER BEDROOM!

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 17:11:28 EDT

..............and he had a grand master room at the house in New Hope, PA and a big bathroom with beautiful tile and big soak tub to die for. Hope he did die in that tub - I would want to! my love to him and his always, xorr

Story shared: The Biggest Shirt

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 14:37:42 EDT

Bill once told me he defined a true friend as someone who would give him the shirt off their back. Probably most everyone who is reading this knows that, ironically, Bill had the “biggest shirt,” indeed. To me he will always be a cherished friend. He was a man’s man---and a girl’s best confidant. He was generous---to a fault. He was hilarious---as long as you got his sarcasm. He was smart, really smart--- but never pretentious. And, although at times he could be downright conventional---he was a creative genius. I met Bill nearly 30 years ago when he was a cracker- jack reporter for The Shopper Newspaper and I was an aspiring stringer paying her dues as a paste-up artist. I was enamored at Bill’s talent for writing his articles on the VDT, while I was accustomed to scribbling them out long-hand, then typing them into the machine. I watched in awe as I learned from him. Little did I know then I would learn so much more from him than merely how to use a computer. Our love of college journalism classes, news reporting, David Letterman---and lunch---made us fast friends. We shared a similar sarcastic sense of humor. We connected through our passion for shopping (especially the Bloomingdale’s Home Sale). And, we enjoyed late night talks over coffee or “Sunday drives” to nowhere. Bill was always there with words of wisdom; a kind thought or gesture; something to make me laugh; or sometimes just a big huge shoulder on which to rest my head or cry. As we got older and our lives changed, no matter how often or little I would see or talk to Bill, we never lost sight of our foundation; of those common things we shared that brought us together. There’s a strange irony to the fact that today I am writing this---on a computer; no long-hand first---about someone who I can’t believe won’t be in my life anymore. And, I must admit there’s a sense of guilt that he may have needed my “shirt,” recently, and I wasn’t there to give it to him. But, as senseless as this all seems right now, I know I am truly blessed to have my memories of Bill. I don’t know how I could ever remember him without smiling.

Condolence From Dick Blatt

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 10:41:36 EDT

Condolences to family and to Bill's family of friends. Thanks to Bill for his quick wit, broad views, creative solutions for work and life, and for always being behind the big curtains.

Condolence From Mike Lauber

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 08:58:43 EDT

I met Bill when he joined POPAI. As a member - eventual officer - I worked closely with him on many initiatives. Energetic, creative and always good-hearted, Bill was a perpetual joy, tireless worker and terrific collaborator. You made a real difference, Bill, and will be forever missed. I'm thankful for the opportunity to know, work with and benefit from Bill's wit & wisdom.

Condolence From Barbara Donahue(Majerscak)

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 01:07:34 EDT

I was a classmate of Bill's at Garfield High, and heard yesterday about his passing. I remember him always as kind, and with a wonderful sense of humor. Prayers and condolences to the family.

Story shared: Garfield

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 22:12:44 EDT

Bill and I were friends in high school and post high school before I moved away from the area. I remember most how he loved movie premiers and I remember going to the premier of Moonraker with him...he definitely walked to the beat of a different drummer and this what I liked the most about him. He was funny, quick witted and most of all a really good person.

Story shared: My friend Bill Zurynetz

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 20:30:54 EDT

In 1995, I came to Montclair State University to Produce "Theatrefest", the professional Equity theatre-in-residence, there. At that time, I met Bill, and his business partner, Paul, who were to be in charge of our marketing. For 8 years I worked closely with them both and Bill became a constant consultant to me, a terrific contact to celebrities (which he loved and was quite good at it too!) and a close and wonderful friend over lunch meetings, dinners, drinks and going into NY to see shows;celebrities in concert! This was not just a professional relationship, but a personal one from one who was as concerned about my personal welfare as much as he was my professional life and the marketing of my interests and promotions. The proof of this is that Bill has spent a weekend at my house with Mary Ellen and myself and has invited us (and we accepted) no less than two times at his newly purchased home in New Hope, PA. What a grand host he was - opening his heart, his home and tours to restaurants and the township - which is gorgeous. I was at his side when his mother died. Met and knew his sister in New Hope and Garfield as well. I had a big, wealthy supporter of Theatrefest who was in her 80's who knew Bill and she needed a new car. Worried about getting taken advantage of, Bill met with her and went with her to buy a new car. This was the person he was - and remains to all of us! What would he not do for anyone????? Bill was great fun, intelligent, a great marketing strategist for a multiplicity of companies and organizations and built his business and held on to it with many talented partners and workers - all genuinely nice. In 1994, I was chosen to produce the opening of the Bowie Performing Arts Center in Bowie, MD - AND HE WAS THE FIRST PERSON I CALLED! We opened 8 shows in 7 days - and he got Leslie Uggams to come down and do my fundraiser night! His face was as brilliant as the photo when she walked in! As all of you who may read this, I am devestated over my loss, his very young age, his brilliant talents and light that he always brought to me - and, I know all of you. Who didn't feel close and personal to Bill? I felt a need to write as, perhaps, it may be somewhat healing to me and, hopefully, to you. I truly believe that Bill was so very kind, intelligent on that computer, and such a great marketer, that God needed him quickly - especially in this America that is lacking all three. My heart is heavy but reaches out to you all................... Roger Riggle

Story shared: Not your usual sense of humor

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 15:08:19 EDT

A slightly off-the-wall sense of humor, occasionally sarcastic, always amusing. The Lost Boys did the art direction for a magazine I edited, so for several years I spent time each quarter hanging out at their offices losing arguments with Paul, although he did eventually come around to the idea of sending out PDFs by email. I was in a new business partnership with its fair share of challenges, so I soaked up information on how they ran their business which was based on a lot of trust in each other and shared information. I had know Bill since The Record and he could be very funny picking apart people’s traits, although the newspaper did present a target-rich environment. He was a big, warm personality. And did I mention occasionally sarcastic?

Story shared: Unca Buzzy

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 13:05:39 EDT

Where to start... "Twin Peaks" viewing parties; SpamFest (Steve won - Spam croissants); schlub nights (movie and pizza at Bill's); Town Schlub (aka Town Pub); turn-of-the-century New Year's Eve; our neighbor's car rolling into Bill's brand-new Boxster; my nervous father passing me over to Bill, instead of Steve, at our wedding; salt (not SOFT) bagels in Boston with the Rubners (Boston is only a two-hour car drive from NJ!); trips to Hennessy's followed by a stop at Tower Records in Paramus; snow-alert phone calls; Heffie in a pot; using POPAI expense money to buy beer at an Elton John concert at MSG; "I love jumping" ... Bill, we love you and we miss you...

Photo shared: solo_jjj.jpg

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 11:41:49 EDT

Photo shared: 1.jpg

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 11:41:49 EDT