William A. Tuman

William A. Tuman

Family, baseball, God and work. These were the things Bill Tuman loved the most and defined him as a person. It comes with great sadness to announce his passing on Thursday November 12, 2015 in Amsterdam, NY at age 87.

Born in Amsterdam on March 27, 1928, William A. Tuman was the son of the late William P. and Helen Skonieczny Tuman. A Rockton boy, his passion for baseball and the NY Yankees began during his youth when he spent countless hours at Mohawk Mills Park watching the Amsterdam Rugmakers, a NY Yankee farm team, play.

After graduating from Wilbur H. Lynch High School, where he was an all-star shortstop and pitcher, he attended Clarkson College for one year. Around this time, he was invited to try out for three major league baseball teams: the NY Giants, the Detroit Tigers and the Pittsburgh Pirates. When each failed to see his talent, he did the next best thing, which is to go to work alongside his father at Tuman’s Restaurant.

While working at Tuman’s, he also attended Siena College, married Nadia Papura in 1948 and built his house on Clizbe Avenue. Bill received his degree in economics from Siena in 1952.

After Bill’s father died in 1967, Bill operated Tuman’s with Nadia. Together, they ran the restaurant and offered blue-plate specials, boilermakers and 25-cent drafts to the working class of Amsterdam, people who became loyal patrons and friends.

Bill was a member of the PAV Club and was very active in many Amsterdam sporting events, sponsoring and coaching numerous teams for many years under the Tuman’s Restaurant name, including volleyball, basketball and softball teams. He loved spending time with his children and grandkids, reading various regional papers and doing the crossword puzzle. Bill donated to every charity imaginable, which leads us to say please take him off your call and mailing lists.

Not to be forgotten, Bill also loved animals and would brighten upon seeing his children’s dogs come for a visit, even in his final days. His peaceful demeanor even attracted a bird to sit on his shoulder at his summer camp on the Great Sacandaga Lake (photo).

Bill was a devout Catholic and was a parishioner and communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Amsterdam.

Bill, who was predeceased by his wife, Nadia (Sept. 26, 1999), is survived by one son, W. Michael Tuman, D.M.D. (Karen) of Erdenheim, PA; three daughters, Carol Tuman Stafford of Williamsburg, VA; Deborah Ficaretta (Joseph) of Saratoga Springs, NY, and Diane Tuman (Laura Vecsey) of Port Washington, NY; one sister, Eleanor Beatty (Dick) of Perth, NY; seven grandchildren, Dr. Ryan Tuman and Christopher Tuman, both of Philadelphia, PA; Andrew Ilnicki (Teresa) of Richmond, VA; Jennifer Stafford of Santa Monica, CA; Bridget and Elise Ficaretta of Saratoga Springs, NY; and Anjali Tuman Vecsey of Port Washington, NY, two great grandchildren, Emmett and Louisa Ilnicki of Richmond, VA. Nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services will be held Saturday morning at 11:00 at the Riley Mortuary, Inc., 110 Division Street, Amsterdam, NY followed at 11:30 by a Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Church 156 East Main Street, Amsterdam.

Interment will follow at St. Basil’s Cemetery, Broadalbin, NY.

Calling hours are Saturday from 9 to 11 prior to the service at the Riley Mortuary.

Memorial gifts in Bill’s name may be made to the Montgomery County SPCA. P.O. Box 484, Amsterdam, NY 12010.