Obituary of Phil Watrobski

Phil Watrobski, 93, passed away peacefully on January 30, 2021 at Kingsway Arms Nursing Center with his children at his side. Born in Scotia, NY he was the son of the late Felix and Mary (Lipinski) Watrobski. Phil was a 1945 graduate of Scotia High School and went on to proudly defend his country in the Army as a staff sergeant & Military Police during WWII. Following the Army, Phil continued his education with the NYS Veterans Vocation for Carpentry. On May 27, 1950, Phil married his beloved late wife Mildred “Millie” (Bohanske) Watrobski. Together they shared 65 years of marriage until her passing in 2015. Phil enjoyed his work as an independent contractor building and remodeling homes for many years. He also worked most of his career for Rutland Building & Remodeling in Colonie as a Carpenter and Sales Manager and retired from NYS Office of General Services as an Architectural Estimator in 1991. During his career, one of his most prized projects was building the Adirondack Park Visitors Interpretive Center. Carpentry was a beloved hobby outside of work as well, as he loved building furniture and helping with home additions and projects for family and friends. His family camp he built on Sacandaga Lake will always be fondly remembered by all of Phil’s family and friends. He was a “jack of all trades” tending to anything that needed to be built or fixed. Phil also enjoyed being active with his children’s sporting events at Notre Dame - Bishop Gibbons, bowling in leagues, his two vegetable gardens and watching western movies. Above all, Phil was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather who enjoyed all the times he was able to spend with his family and his late canine companion Toby.

Left to honor Phil’s memory are his son Gary Watrobski and his wife, Kathy of Clifton Park as well as daughter, Meg Watrobski Zocco and her husband, Jay of Glastonbury, CT. Five cherished grandchildren, Nick, Kristina and Kaitlyn Watrobski and Abby Zocco - Myers (Darren) and Mark Zocco also survive.  

In addition to his parents and wife Millie, Phil was predeceased by his brother Raymond Watkins (Ann).

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all the wonderful employees at Kingsway Arms Nursing Center that took such good care of Phil during the six years that he was a resident.  The staff on A Wing, the Recreation Dept., therapists, food service employees and the maintenance crew (whom my dad would continue to give his “input” to) were all a huge part of his life…especially after the passing of his wife Millie.  They are a very special group of people who our families will be forever grateful.

A calling period will be held on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 from 10:00am – 11:30am at the Glenville Funeral Home, 9 Glenridge Road, Glenville. A brief funeral service will follow at 11:30am at the funeral home for those that wish to attend.Interment with military honors will be held in the spring at the Hadley Cemetery in Hadley, NY.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Phil’s name may be made to the Saratoga Bridges, 16 Saratoga Bridges Blvd. Ballston Spa, NY 12020 for the wonderful care given to his Grandson, Nick. Online condolences www.glenvillefuneralhome.com