Casimir Patrick Hugick, 71, formerly of Osborne Hill Rd., Herkimer, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday morning, August 24, 2003 at home after a heroic battle with cancer with his loving family by his side. Casimir was born in South Columbia on April 19, 1932 son of Adam P. and Mary Papierski Hugick. He attended Richfield Springs schools. He enlisted in the Navy in 1950 and was honorably discharged in June 1954. He married Katherine Sullivan of Mohawk on July 12, 1952, recently celebrating 51 wonderful years together. Casimir was employed by Special Metals for 39 years, retiring in 1995. After retiring, Casimir and Kathy traveled and resided full time in their RV spending winters in St. Augustine Beach, FL. Casimir enjoyed hunting, camping and spending time with his family and was a true hero. He received a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition and acknowledgement of outstanding service from the NYS Police in October 1988 for saving the life of a man from a burning truck in Ilion. He fought courageously through his illness, never complaining or giving up hope. Casimir was a very loving and dedicated husband, father and grandfather. His family was the focus of his life and they brought great joy to him. He will be truly missed by his family and friends. Besides his wife Katherine, he is survived by three daughters, Susan and Robert Reed of Knoxboro, NY, Terry and Joseph DeCola of Utica and Cindy and Larry Woody of Ilion. He also leaves, six cherished grandchildren, Chad, Jamie and Kelly Reed, Matthew, Patrick, Woody and Stacy Lynn Woody of Ilion and Joseph Luke DeCola of Utica. He also leaves a sister, Mary and James Lawson of Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada; two brothers, Adam Hugick of Little Falls and Paul and Veronica Hugick of Richfield Springs. He leaves a brother-in-law, Charles and Cathy Crist of Burlington Flatts and two sisters-in-law, Patricia Hugick of Utica and Irene Hugick of Mohawk; several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. He also leaves a devoted companion, Sassy. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister, Jenny Fontaine and brother Stanley Hugick. Calling hours will be at the Holleran-Enea Funeral Home, 220 N. Washington St., Herkimer on Thursday, August 28, 2003 from 5pm to 8pm. The funeral will be held on Friday, August 29, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis DeSales Church, 219 N. Bellinger St., Herkimer. Burial will be held in Calvary Cemetery, Herkimer, where full military honors will be accorded by the US Navy. Special thanks to his niece Gretchen Kubera, the doctors, nurses and interns at Bassett Healthcare in Cooperstown and Herkimer, especially Drs. Bordley, Weiss, Whittaker, Pak, Wu, Healey and Candace Jeffers, RN for their unending compassion and care and the nurses of Hospice, especially Suzanne, Kelly and Irene, who made his last days as comfortable as possible. Donations may be made in his memory to Friends of Bassett or Hospice Care. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. We'll miss you dad for the love and devotion you have shown us throughout the years, words could never express our love and admiration for you. You'll live forever in our hearts. "If I could steal one final glance, one final step, one final dance with him, I'd play a song that would never ever end 'cause I'd love my mother to dance with my father again"