In Memory of William T. Lewek, M.D.

Obituary

WILLIAM T. LEWEK, M.D.

William T. Lewek, M.D., 72, of Rochester, NY and formerly of Yorkville, passed away Tuesday, August 27, 2024 in Highland Hospital, Rochester with his sisters Donna (Lewek) Pendrak and Carol (Lewek) Queck by his side.

Bill was born January 5, 1952 in Utica, son of the late Theodore (Ted) and Bernice Mikus Lewek. He was a graduate of Notre Dame High School and furthered his education at Cornell University, University of Texas Medical School, San Antonio and completed his medical education at the University of Rochester Strong Memorial Hospital with his degree in Psychiatry.

Bill maintained his private practice in Rochester for over 30 years. He was Medical Director of Family Services of Rochester and the Chief Psychiatrist at the Genesee Council Clinic in Batavia, NY. He also was a consultant at the Hillside Children's Center, Catholic Charities and Jewish Family Services of Rochester. His passion for learning continued by reading all his life, no matter where he was, with a pen in hand to underline important facts from all forms of printed material.

Bill became specialized in Forensic, Geriatric, Psychosomatic and Adolescent Psychiatry. Bill was active in his community offering his level of expertise. He had publications and appearances at WHEC TV and in “Psychology Today" magazine of his interview with Anna Freud, in London, England in 1981.

Bill was a dedicated physician who put his patient's well-being first. With his compassion and unwavering devotion, he helped and saved an uncounted number of lives.

Bill traveled extensively in Europe- Poland, Russia, UK, France, Greece, Spain, and Italy and throughout the US visiting friends and attending professional seminars and he was affluent in four languages. He enjoyed live theater from Broadway to community companies and art exhibitions from the Met in NYC, the Louvre in Paris to Munson Williams Proctor Art Institute in Utica. Bill loved Shakespeare and would often travel to the Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Canada and Shakespeare and Company in the Berkshires.

In Bill’s earlier years he enjoyed a long drive with his mom, dad, and sisters to North Carolina to visit The USS North Carolina Naval ship where his dad served for 4 years. He made many trips with his mother, to Maine, Toronto, and the Adirondacks. They always shared such great conversations and debates on any topic that would arise. He enjoyed attending family celebrations but loved the visits from his nieces and nephews to Rochester. He would take them to the Lilac Festivals, The Renaissance Fair, the Planetarium, Museums, The Park Leigh Gift Store, and out to dinner at local small restaurants. Memories were made when all gathered in the kitchen while he cooked and told so many interesting stories.

Bill loved animals and, in his youth, he inspired to be a veterinarian while raising canaries and rabbits while enjoying his garden of vegetables and flowers most especially his roses.

Bill was a gourmet chef who enjoyed classical music, opera and Patsey Cline while he was cooking food of the Polish heritage. He was an avid tennis player who traveled to the French Open and Canadian Open.

William is survived by his sisters and brothers in law: Carol and Gary Queck and Donna and Edwin (Chico) Pendrak and his nieces, who were also his goddaughters and nephews: Geoffrey and Julia Queck and their children, Benjamin, and Lillian; Corrinne and Marc Jackson, Roman Pendrak and Erica and John Nicotera and their daughter Calianna. Also surviving are many cousins especially Christine Goodenow who was more like a third sister, his partner for many years Timothy Cosgriff and his best friend and mentor Emilio Romero who he met at medical school.

Bill’s special friend Carol Lovell was his guiding light over the course of the last few years. Prior to his illness they enjoyed traveling to concerts at Tanglewood, vacationing in the mountains, enjoying the NY lakes, visiting museums, listening to classical music and watching numerous "Sherlock Holmes" movies. She was an inspiration in his life, as he was in Her’s. There are no words enough to thank her for all she has done for Bill.

Bill enjoyed the company of numerous friends and colleagues whether he was travelling, attending a conference, or hosting a dinner event. Thank You for the memories over the years to Ginna, Gloria, Cinda, Michael, Joe, Alan, Teresa, Drew, Rick, Carlos, Bob, Dorinda, Jay and many more.

A “Special Thank You” to all his loving and dedicated caregivers, especially Marlene, Kay and Michelle and the kindness of the staff and residents of Baywinde Senior Living. Words cannot express our appreciation and gratitude to the Highland Hospital ICU Physicians and Nursing Staff.

A Mass of Christian Burial and Celebration of life will be celebrated Saturday, September 14 at 11:30 AM at Sacred Heart & St. Mary Church, Our Lady of Czestochowa.

“The rest is Silence. Goodnight, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!” (Shakespeare’s Hamlet)

Memorial contributions in Bill's honor may be made to: Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 507 Kent St. Utica, NY 13501; Catholic Charities Family and Community Services, 87 North Clinton Ave, Rochester, NY 14604; Jewish Family Services of Rochester, 255 East Ave Suite 201, Rochester, NY 14604.