Floyd J. "Sonny" Potrzebowski

You may view Sonny's graveside service by copying and pasting the following link to your browser:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kx9uhm36f1ign9e/Floyd%20Potrzebowski%20graveside.mp4?dl=0

Floyd J. “Sonny” Potrzebowski, Jr., 76, fought a lengthy battle with COPD. He fought it courageously and remained determined to fight it with grace until the very minute his Lord was ready to call him home. At 3:20 in the afternoon on Thursday, February 11, 2021 his Lord made that call and, in the company of loved ones, with the gracefulness he'd hoped for, Sonny went home.

Sonny was born in the city of Williamsport on August 22, 1944 to the late Floyd J. Potrzebowski, Sr. and the late Marie (Marshall) Gullo. At the age of 12 he came into the care of the late Don F. and Mary Jenkins with whom he remained close.

As a young man he was an adventurer with wanderlust and headed west where he discovered a love for the dry heat and the desert. Along the way he worked many different jobs - he would often reminisce about how "plentiful" jobs were in those times and how you could "actually make a living" then.  One of those jobs landed him on the front page of an Arizona newspaper when the bear cub he was trying to retrieve for the zoo that employed him ripped out the seat of his pants. Other jobs were less exciting but had grand titles such as "Jelly bean polisher" for a company in Elmira.

In the 1970's He married the "love of his life", Della J. (Pittenger) Potrzebowski and settled into a career Managing the print shop for Weldons in Williamsport PA. Eventually places like Weldons closed and jobs became less plentiful and less likely to provide a living so in the early 80's he struck out on his own as a painting contractor. Sonny spent decades as a contractor in the Williamsport and surrounding areas. In the 90's in addition to his contracting profession he began driving school bus as an independent contractor for the Southern Tioga School District.

Sonny enjoyed laughter, woodworking, yard work, keeping his home in good repair, and his baked beans were famous at family gatherings. Throughout his life's journey he grew spiritually and learned from the world around him. As he walked his path, he was able to broaden his mind and accept things he did not always understand. To his family he gave unconditionally of himself and of his love - the kind of man who would suffer any personal sacrifice, go to any length, and give all of himself. His final conversations centered around his love of his family, the strength of his faith, his acceptance of death, and in true Sonny form - even a few good laughs.

Surviving in addition to his wife are his children, Debra Scrooby (Steve) of Williamsport, Edward Potrzebowski of Sherman, Spring Gatling (Rudy) of Apopka, Neil Potrzebowski of Williamsport, Dustin Potrzebowski (Chad) of Williamsport, Eddie Harer (Penny) of Liberty, Angela Upham of Liberty: 16 grand children and 11 great grandchildren; and his siblings, Gloria (Joe) Potrzebowski, Ronnie (Susan) Potrzebowski, Gary (Donna) Potrzebowski, Anne Proctor, James (Pat) Potrzebowski, Terry (Ann) Potrzebowski, Dale Gullo, Tim (Tara) Gullo. Vicki Gullo, Mark (Sally) Kinsman, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Michael, and a beloved son, Joseph D. Potrzebowski on October 14, 2019.

A graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 17 at Steam Valley Cemetery, Steam Valley Road, Cogan House Twp., Trout Run. Attendees of the service are required to wear a mask and adhere to social distancing guidelines. ​A recording of the graveside service will be made available following the service as a link on Sonny's memorial page at www.SandersMortuary.com.  ​A celebration of Sonny's life will be held later post pandemic.

Memorial contributions in Sonny’s name may be made to Susquehanna Health Foundation c/o The Gatehouse or Home Care & Hospice, 1001 Grampian Boulevard, Williamsport, PA 17701. Where the family would like to extend special thanks for the compassion and care that was provided.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Floyd J. "Sonny" Potrzebowski, please visit our floral store.