William Stars

William Stars of Mattituck passed on July 4 at his home. He was 89. 

He was born in Brooklyn Nov. 27, 1927, to Costa and Moska Stars. In 1946 his family moved to East Marion.

Mr. Stars served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theater from 1945 to 1946. Upon his discharge, he was in the Army Reserve. In 1952, he entered with the 10th Mountain Division and was send to Korea. He was discharged in 1954 and stayed in the reserves until 1960. He worked as a high-grade technician for Brookhaven National Lab.

Mr. Stars was a member of the VFW Post 11117 in Mattituck, American Legion Post 861 in Mattituck and was a Knights of Columbus 4th degree. He enjoyed playing golf, the Yankees and spending time with family and friends.

In 1955, he married Bertha (née Zimnoski) Rutkowski, who predeceased him in 2010. He is survived by his stepchildren, Karen (Henry) Clark and Anthony (Kathy) Rutkowski; four stepgrandchildren, Wendi (Chad) Hawkins, Eric (Stephanie) Clark, Elizabeth Rutkowski and Anthony (Ashley) Rutkowski III and five step great-grandchildren, Regan and Nicholas Hawkins, Ethan and Evan Clark and Stella Rutkowski.

The family received visitors July 7 at Coster-Heppner Funeral Home in Cutchogue. A funeral Mass took place July 8 at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church in Mattituck. Burial followed at East Marion Cemetery.