Herkimer - Mr. Walter "Vot" Czuryla, 88, of 226 Stimson St passed away Saturday, March 3, 2012 in Bassett Health Care with his family by his side. He was born in Herkimer on February 28, 1924, the son of the late Adolf and Antonina Grynda Czuryla and he attended Herkimer schools. Vot served with the US Navy during World War II in the Asiatic Pacific Theater and was Honorably Discharged on April 16,1946 with the rank of Ship's Cook 2nd Class. He was married to Irene Karecki on July 30, 1955 in St. Joseph's Church, Herkimer. Vot was employed by Univac in both the Utica and Elmira plants and later as in Quality Control for MDS, Herkimer until his retirement in 1986. He was a communicant of Sts. Anthony and Joseph Church and a Life Member of V.F.W Post #4915, Herkimer, The Depression Boys, Polish Community Home, Herkimer and served as President for many years and on the Board of Directors, the Falcons, Toys for Tots Program, 30 year member of the Herkimer Housing Authority and served as Chairman, Vice Chairman and Treasurer, served as a Herkimer Village Trustee, East Herkimer Fish And Game Club and served on the Board of Directors for many years. Vot was the proud recipient of many awards throughout the area, he was one of the American Red Cross' 2007 Great Heroes, 2003 Herkimer Elks and Herkimer County Hunger Coalition's Outstanding Citizen Award. He had the privilege of laying the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery during the trip to the World War ll Memorial with his fellow veterans. Walter is survived by his beloved wife, Irene Czuryla; one daughter, Karen Czuryla Brittelli of Herkimer; one son and daughter in law, Walter and Theresa Czuryla of Ocala, Fl; his grandchildren, Jillian, Jenna and Ryan; his in laws, Frances Schiedel of Sacramento, CA, Dolores & Dominick Aloisio of Herkimer and Loretta Karecki of Oswego and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by one brother, Edmund Czuryla and one sister, Anna Schuster His funeral will be held Wednesday morning at 9:00 AM from the Petykiewicz, Iocovozzi & Burns Funeral Home, 329 S. Washington St. Herkimer and at 9:30 AM in Sts. Anthony and Joseph Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Thomas Lawless. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery later in the spring. Calling hours will be Tuesday from 4-8 at Petykiewicz, Iocovozzi & Burns Funeral Home. Members of the Herkimer VFW will meet Tuesday evening at 6:00 and the Polish Community Home at 6:30 PM at the funeral home for services. Contributions in Vot's memory maybe made to Sts. Anthony And Joseph Church, S. Main St., Herkimer, NY 13350 or to Herkimer/Mohawk Food Pantry, 104 N Washington Street, Herkimer, NY 13350. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home Expressions of sympathy may be placed on Walter's online memorial page by going to www.iocovozzifuneralhomes.com