William E. Van Gieson
Actor, Playwright, Teacher, Beloved Husband & Father
February 6, 1941 – April 23, 2023
William “Bill” Edward Van Gieson, 82, passed away Sunday, April 23, 2023, at his son’s home in Glenford, after complications from a stroke.
Bill was born February 6, 1941, in Paterson, New Jersey, the eldest of three children. He is predeceased by parents Norma and William F. Van Gieson. He later lived in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, where he enjoyed roaming wood and field and biking freely.
After high school, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving for five years. After an honorable discharge, he studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, NYC.
Bill taught at August Martin HS in Queens, NY, and Acting and Shakespeare at Windham College, Putney, VT.
He was married to Cheryl Josephson June 21, 1985, in Brooklyn, NY, and this June would have marked their thirty-eighth anniversary.
Bill’s favorite roles included: Bottom, A Midsummer Nights Dream; Shelly Levene, Glengarry Glen Ross; and his award-winning “Spats” Colombo in Sugar.
Although his deepest desire was to act full-time, Bill supported his family over forty years, getting on stage whenever able. Among other companies, he worked as an accountant at Marine Transport Lines, NYC, and as a Data Base Administrator at Martindale-Hubbell, NJ.
Bill read voraciously, and his first order of business wherever he lived, was to locate the public library and procure a card.
Bill adored the old radio shows, listening avidly on long car trips, especially to Gunsmoke and The Shadow. He relished film, trout fishing, trivia, and dogs and cats. Above all, loved his sons, Jon and Will, born on the same date, March 31st, fourteen years apart.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by sons Jonathan (Jo) and William; his sister, Norma, his brother, Robert; and some twenty nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, in addition to cherished dog Pippin and “grand dog” Luna Belle.
Bill fought mightily to retain autonomy, as his loved ones can attest. We feel his absence most profoundly, and will forever cherish memories of his brilliance on stage, his wry sense of humor and that deeply resonant voice that we ardently wish we could hear just once more.
His Funeral Arrangements are being cared for by the Lasher Funeral Home. A small service is planned for immediate family/close friends at a future date at Woodstock Artist’s cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to : The Actor’s Fund: actorsfundhome.org; The American Stroke Association: stroke.org; or Best Friends Animal Society: best friends.org. Further obituary information and expressions of condolence may be shared at LasherFH.com
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