William A. Abruzzese, a longtime resident of the area, passed away at Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY on Friday, June 10, 2011. He was 89.

He was born in Brooklyn on February 3, 1922 to the late Dominick and Angelina Columbo Abruzzese.

William served in the U.S. Army in WW II. He was a NYC police captain who retired after serving 33 years.

He was a graduate of St. Francis College of Criminal Justice. William was married for 51 years to Stella Santa Maria Abruzzese, who passed away on September 16, 2001.

A family statement reads: “Everyone knew Willie to be a good and honest man, a faithful, loving husband and a wonderful loving father. His family meant everything to him. He will be loved, remembered and missed forever. Always in our hearts, but returned by God to our mother and brother in heaven.”

William is survived by four children, Dominick Abruzzese of Warwick, NY, Angela Daley and husband Steve of Narrowsburg, NY, Susan Muller and husband Ted of Narrowsburg and William Abruzzese and wife Andrea of Slate Hill, NY; 11 grandchildren; sister Helen Angeloro; and many nieces and nephews.

William is predeceased by his wife Stella and their son Robert W. Abruzzese, who had passed way in 1964; sister Ida Angeloro; and brother Fred Abruzzese.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday June 14, 2011 at St. Francis Xavier R.C. Church, Narrowsburg. Rev. William Scully O.F.M. officiated.

Christian burial was in St. Francis Cemetery, Narrowsburg.

Donations may be made to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065; or Alzheimer’s Association, New York City Chapter, 360 Lexington Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10017; or the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.