William H. Paauwe

William H. Paauwe, 91, of West Sayville, LI, died suddenly on Monday, January 4, 2021.  A lifelong resident of West Sayville, Mr. Paauwe graduated from Sayville High School in 1947.  Bill worked for more than 30 years with The Equitable Life Insurance Company in Manhattan.  He studied voice in New York and has sung with choral groups in New York City at Carnegie Hall, Town Hall and Radio City Music Hall.  He was a long-time member of the Babylon Chorale and The Choral Society of the Moriches.  He sang at many local churches over the years and was a current member of the choir at the Congregational Church of Patchogue   He was an avid African Violet grower and was a member of the local Sweetwater African Violet Society as well as a member of National African Violet Society and several state organizations.

Mr. Paauwe was predeceased by his wife, Kathryn in 2014 and by his daughter, Betsy Paauwe-Choate in 2017.  He is survived by his daughter Nancy Paauwe of Georgia, as well as grandchildren, Janna, Calvin and Audrey

Mr. Paauwe was cremated and burial will be private.  Family visitation will be at Raynor & D’Andrea Funeral Home in West Sayville on January 23, 2021 from 1-5 p.m.   Contributions in his honor can be made to The Congregational Church of Patchogue or Legacy Church of Marietta, Georgia or Matthew’s Giving Tree Foundation.