William Auerbach Obituary

William "Bill" Auerbach, 78, of Matamoras, Pennsylvania, passed away on July 5, 2025. He was born on March 16, 1947, in the Bronx, New York, to William and Agnes Auerbach.
Bill grew up in the hardscrabble Edenwald projects in the Bronx, which instilled in him a recognizable strength and resiliency that served him well throughout his life. He served his country with honor and distinction in the Army during the Vietnam War, earning multiple medals, most notably the Vietnam Service Medal with 1 bronze service star. He was a proud patriot who loved his country dearly.
Bill went on to found a successful lithography company, Auerbach and Associates, which not only garnered clients in the New York City and Tri-State area but also across the nation, as well as in Europe. His work was a wonderful blend of his artistic talents, innate people skills, and hard-earned business savvy. And when the coming computer age transformed the landscape of his industry, Bill was able to adapt and pivot, mastering the new technology to such a degree that he helped many friends and family members better understand computers. But that was just Bill's nature. For all who knew him, he was invariably the first person called when they needed help. Whether it was in carpentry or landscaping, computers or cars, Bill always seemed to know what to do. He was a man of many talents.
Bill admirably served his community as a police officer in Maybrook, New York, and as a longtime volunteer with the Maybrook Fire Department. He was well known for his hospitality. Whether it was his famous Super Bowl parties, his white pants parties at the lake house, or his epic Thanksgiving feasts, wherein the family engaged in the perennial debate about the difference between a yam and a sweet potato. Whatever the occasion, all were welcome even liberals! As all who knew and loved him can attest, Bill surely loved debating politics. But his good-hearted nature would never allow a difference of opinion to come between his love of family and friends.
Another passion Bill enjoyed sharing with those in his life was spending time cruising the Long Island Sound aboard his boat, Das Boot, whose name was a nod to his German heritage, and means "the boat." And, of course, Bill's boat was "the" boat to be on, and was where many fun memories were created on those long summer days out at Eaton's Neck.
Bill was predeceased by his parents, as well as his beloved sisters, Theresa Turiak and JoAnn Terranova. He is survived by his cousins, Andrew and Tracy Auerbach, and their children Nolan and Trevor, as well as his cousins Christine Auerbach and Tom Melnyk. Bill had a host of nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews whose love for him was never dimmed by distance. Among them are the Terranova families: Benard, Lucy, and Taylor; Michael and Noah; Billy, Tiffany, Nicholas, Riley, Joey, and Lily. He is also remembered by the Josephs, Patricia, Theresa, and Matthew, along with the Chomyns, Christine, Derek, and Andrew, as well as Joseph Turiak. Bill's brothers-in-law, Bernard Terranova Sr. and Joseph Turiak, also mourn his passing.
Beyond his family, Bill's friendships were deep and enduring. His list of friends was so long that it's not possible to adequately include everyone who loved him so dearly.
Of course, mention must be made of Bill's abiding love for his dog, Tucker, his buddy until the end. Surely, the love of a good boy, like Tucker, cannot be beat.
A memorial service will be held in September, allowing loved ones the time to thoughtfully settle Bill's affairs and gather in his honor, in a way we believe he deserved.
Bill was an ardent supporter of veterans and veterans affairs. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that Memorial donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
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