Obituary of Andrew Andy Polockow

FORT PLAIN – Mr. Andrew “Andy” Polockow, of Fort Plain, NY, passed away on August 29, 2021, at Valley Health Services, in Herkimer, where he was a resident for the past 2 years. He was 97 years old. Andrew was born on February 12, 1924, in New Britain, CT to Andrew Polekevicius and Anele (Narusevicius) Polekevisius. Andrew was one of six children and is survived by his sister, Helen Loia, of Ft. Myers, FL. His siblings, John, Joseph, Irene and Frank all predeceased him. Andrew married Rita Obertanec, on November 15, 1947, in Yonkers, NY. She was the love of his life for 73 years and often called her his “Sweetie Reetie”. A World War II veteran, Andrew served our country in China, Burma, India and in the South-East Asian theatre, from 1943 through 1946 with the United States Air Force 8th Airdrome Squadron. As Sergeant, he was a teletype operator and received the Asiatic PAC service medal, Good Conduct Medal and the WW II Victory Medal. Andy shared a story that when he was flown into China to see a dentist, enemy forces advanced so quickly that the dentist abandoned him mid-procedure in order to vacate the building without ever telling him he was leaving. Andy spent his formative years in Yonkers, NY and graduated from Yonkers High School of Commerce in 1941. He worked as a Foreman for the Ward Leonard Electric Company in Mt. Vernon, NY from 1941 to 1943 where he supervised over 50 females working an assembly line that made resistors and rheostats. For 31 years, he worked for the Otis Elevator Company in Yonkers, NY as a quality control inspector. He retired in 1983 and moved from Hastings-on-the-Hudson, to his wife’s family farm in Fort Plain, NY. Andy was a consummate gentleman, personable, sarcastic and funny. He was an ardent outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fly and freshwater fishing. He fished his entire life and after he retired, he especially enjoyed fishing from his 14 foot SmokerCraft boat on the Mohawk River. Andy doted on his many dogs and cats throughout his life and loved to hunt with his beagles. He loved feeding animals and especially the birds. He was a fervent handy man, excellent at fixing anything and always had a project or two underway. He loved to watch football and was especially fond of the NY Giants. Politics was a favorite discourse of his. He is survived by his wife, Rita Polockow, of Herkimer, NY; one daughter, Dorothy Polockow, of Rome, NY; and a sister, Helen Loia, of Ft. Myers, FL. The family would like to thank the neighbors and friends who supported Andy the last several years while he was in his home. Also, we express much appreciation for the great care provided by the nurses and staff at Valley Health Services. Funeral services will be private and held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of longtime family friends, Harry J. Enea, Jr., Kevin E. Enea and Martin L. Ciaccia, of The Enea Family Funeral Home, at 24 West Monroe Street, in Little Falls, NY (315) 823-2424. Online condolences may be left at www.eneafamily.com.