William Walter Goreschak

William W. Goreschak (“Bill”), 82, passed away peacefully on April 21, 2017 at his home in Fruit Cove, Flolrida under the care of Hospice after his 4th battle with cancer over the last eighteen years. Bill was known by those who loved him by many names, including William, Willie, Wink, Bert, Wilbur, Baboo, Honey, Sweetheart, Grandpa and Dad. He met the love of his life, Rita Janosko, at Stratford High School in Connecticut, with a first date at the movies on Easter Sunday 1952. After graduation, he worked as a tree surgeon and then served two years in the US Army as a paratrooper. In 1956 he married Rita and soon began a family and worked hard starting an appliance repair business in Stratford. In 1969, following a longtime dream to escape the freezing winter weather, they packed up their young family with boat in tow and moved to Boca Raton, Florida. After first working as a carpenter on high rise condo buildings and later again repairing appliances, he obtained his contractor’s license and built a new home for his family. In 1972, he started Imperial Home Builders and he continued building custom homes in Boca Raton until the late 1980’s. In 1989, after all three of his children had graduated from college, he retired from home building and moved to Jensen Beach, Florida with Rita where he worked as a building inspector until his official retirement in 1999. In 2013, after many happy years of retirement and golfing in Jensen Beach, Bill and Rita moved to Fruit Cove to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

In addition to his ability to fix almost anything, Bill had a quick wit, an eagle’s eye for the smallest details and an unmatched work ethic. He always said that if you are going to do a job, do it right the first time or don’t do it all. He had a big heart and an endless love for his wife Rita, his three children and two grandchildren. Bill was a kid at heart, riding a SeaDoo at the lake into his eighties and always buying new “toys”, whether it be tools, gadgets or technology items, he happily used his iPhone and iPad daily. His love for breakfast was well known and he would enjoy breakfast foods at all hours of the day. Whether a donut, bagel or a fried egg, anytime was breakfast time for Bill, especially at a local diner or at Dunkin Donuts. Although Bill never attended college, he was very proud to have all three of his children and both grandchildren attend the University of Florida.

Bill is predeceased by his parents: Ladislaw “Jimmy” Goreschak and Catherine Stanek Goreschak. He is survived by his wife Rita, his three children: Mary Kay Goreschak of St Augustine, FL; Ellen Goreschak of St Johns, FL; and Bill Goreschak (Sheri) of Fruit Cove, FL; two grandchildren: David Goreschak and Eric Goreschak, both currently students at UF; and sister Rose Trembeczki of Monroe, CT.

A memorial service will be held for family and friends at 12:00 noon on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at Oaklawn Chapel and Cemetery, located at 4801 San Jose Blvd in Jacksonville. Please note that ties, formal jackets and dark funeral colors are discouraged. Wearing a plaid shirt would be welcomed and would honor Bill’s favorite attire.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Community Hospice of NE Florida, who were amazing in their compassion and help to Bill and his family during his final days. Donations in honor of Bill can be made at www.communityhospice.com

Please Sign the guestbook at www.hardagegiddensoaklawnchapel.com

HARDAGE-GIDDENS, THE OAKLAWN CHAPEL, 4801 San Jose Blvd is serving the family.