Leon D Sobieski

Rotterdam - Col. Leon "Sob" Sobieski, 81, passed away surrounded by his family on Wednesday April 20, 2016 at Ellis Hospital. Born in Rotterdam on June 15, 1934, He was the son of Leon and Helen Wicks Sobieski. A 38 year veteran of the United States Air Force and New York Air National Guard he took his airman basic training in 1952 and was promoted through the ranks to Chief Master Sergeant. Leon graduated from the academy of military science and a number of Air Force and civilian job related courses. He served on active duty with the Air National Guard and Air Force during a number of national crises including the Berlin crisis in 1961-62. He was commissioned a Captain in 1973. To all who knew him he was known as Col. Sob (sweet old boy) - A nickname from his teen years that stuck. He served with the 109th Airlift Wing NYANG as the Deputy Commander for Support and in the same capacity as a full time military Air Technician at Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia.After a career of dedication and service to our country he retired in 1989. Sob loved to hunt, play golf and after retirement make picnic tables.During the winter, he loved taking his wife to Florida and in the summer he enjoyed Maine, tending to his garden, puttering around his home and visiting Saratoga.He loved to entertain and be surrounded by family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Anna Mae Giella Sobieski, who he married on August 10, 1953. His four children; Edward (Deborah) Sobieski, Katherine Kelly, David (fiancée Linda Attanasio) Sobieski and Laura (Jeffrey) Manchester. His daughter-in-law, Linda Sobieski. Six grandchildren; Elizabeth (Thomas) Borkowski, Jenna Kelly, Emily Sobieski, Brianna Kelly, Amelia Sobieski and Kaitlyn Manchester. Two great grandchildren; Madelyn Grace Borkowski and Jacob Thomas Borkowski. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Along with his parents Leon was predeceased by his brother, Edward Sobieski and sister, Virginia Truszkowski. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Leon's primary care physician, Dr. Francois Vachon and his staff; his cardiologist, Dr. David Armenia; his rheumatologist, Dr. Martin Farber, his pulmonologist, Dr. Eugene Goykhman, and the staffs at Ellis Hospital and Rotterdam EMS Ambulance. Calling hours will be held Sunday from 3-6 pm at DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home 1605 Helderberg Ave., Rotterdam. Funeral services will begin 8 am Monday at the funeral home followed by a 9 am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Luke's Church. Burial, with military honors, will follow at St. Adalbert's cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society 421 New Karner Rd., Albany, NY 12205.