William "Bill" Koury

William C. Koury, 71, passed away peacefully at home, with his loving family by his side, after a long and courageous battle with cancer, Saturday, May 15, 2021.

Bill was born, in Utica, February 22, 1950, one of six children, to the late George T. and Shemony “Shummy” (George) Koury. He was educated in local schools and a graduate of Notre Dame High School. He later attended MVCC, SUNY at Canton and SUNY at Brockport, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Agronomy.

In 1976, Bill met the love of his life, Cynthia Rowell, and they were soon married on October 2, 1976. Bill and Cyndi have shared forty-four loving years together, devoted to each other in every way.

Always involved in the family business, Koury Farms, Bill, and his business partner bought the farms from his father and uncles, in 1980.

In 2002, he left farming and opened the K & K Train and Hobby Shop, on French Road, retiring in 2015.

In his early 20’s, Bill was introduced to trout fishing by his friend and “brother” Ronny Acee. This ignited a passion that he pursued until his death. He often remarked his best times in life were spent walking the streams with his children and grandchildren.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Cyndi; his son, Philip Koury and Catherine Wright and their son, Ethan; daughter and son-in-law, Jamie and Rob French and their children, Robbie, Jason and “favorite granddaughter” Julie; daughter and son-in-law, Catherine and Tom Hulser and their children, Thomas and William; his devoted sisters, Joan Koury, Carol and Paul Potter, Mary Koury and Heather Haglund, Diana Koury and Tom Levanti; and sibling, George Koury; his mother-in-law, Joanna Rowell; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Cheryl Small, Harry and Joanne Rowell, and Gail and George Amendolare; and also many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Bill had a special relationship with his devoted friends, Ron Acee, George Massoud and Charles Ghosin; and cousins, Andrew and Brian Steneri and Paul and Michael Acquilino. Their company provided many wonderful memories throughout the years.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral and Committal Service on Thursday, at 11 a.m., at St. Louis Gonzaga Church, where Abouna Boutros El Hachem, Pastor, will officiate. This service will be live streamed (refer to the Matt Funeral Home website for link). Private interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. The family will greet visitors following services.

The family would like to offer their deepest gratitude to his doctors at the Dana Farber Institute, Dr. Pasi Janne and Dr. Paul Richardson, and locally, Dr. Samir Desai and his wonderful staff, for the loving care shown to Bill during his illness.

In memory of Bill Koury, please consider donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org

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