Dorothy B. (Blazicek) Bursik

Troy - Dorothy Bursik, formerly of Eagle Mills, passed away on February 25, 2018, at the Eddy Memorial Geriatric Center in Troy. 

She was born on June 25, 1919, in Binghamton, the daughter of Stephen and Cecelia Blazicek. A gymnast as a teenager and young adult, Dorothy (“Dot”) participated in the Sokol Gymnastic Union; her pride in her Czech and Slovak heritage ran deep. Dorothy married her high school sweetheart, Joseph Bursik, in November, 1941, shortly before the onset of formal American involvement in WWII.  She would accompany him around the country, as he was fortunate to be stateside during the war as a first lieutenant in an air force training squadron. To help the war effort, Dorothy volunteered for the Red Cross and multiple charities administered by the officers’ wives. 

After the war ended, Dot and Joe moved to Eagle Mills, a village that became the center of their lives for the next 50 years. Dot worked at the Brittonkill Central School library and was a long-term volunteer at the Brunswick Community Library. She later worked in the library at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, an institution that both she and Joe, a professor, held dear. A reader for life, Dot continued to listen to books on tape - or as she called it “reading” - even after becoming legally blind. She loved to bake, knit, garden, play bridge, and travel, and she was fortunate to see much of the world before losing her sight.

After the loss of her husband in 2010, Dot received great support from her friends at the Beechwood Retirement community. She lived there into her late 90’s, working vigilantly to stay healthy by exercising and walking whenever possible. She succumbed to brittle bones, old age, and a feisty disposition. Her pride in her own independence undoubtedly contributed to her longevity, although at the end she accepted support from her long-term caregiver and companion, Crystal Hartley, who provided much kindness and love for which the family will be forever grateful.

Dorothy was predeceased by her parents, her siblings, Stephen Blazicek and Margaret (Blazicek) Ames, her husband Joe, and her most beloved son, Thomas. She is survived by her daughter, Dr. Krisanne Bursik, her devoted son-in-law, Joel Leonard, her cherished grandsons Adam Leonard and Zachary Leonard, several nieces and nephews, numerous grandnieces and grandnephews, and her dearest childhood friend, Anne (Bublinec) Perham of Binghamton, New York.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Brunswick Community Library, 4118 State Highway 2, Troy, New York, 12180. Interment at the Eagle Mills Cemetery will be private. 

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