We mourn the passing of Bill Kotansky, a fantastic person and model Lancasterian, but also one of Lancaster-Depew Rotary Club's leaders.Past President Bill Kotansky was instrumental in helping build the Lancaster-Depew Rotary Club into what it is today. Throughout his over sixty years of membership in the club: a small, but diverse, dedicated, and passionate group of individuals from Lancaster and Depew who work together to make the world a better place was formed.
What's important about Bill is that he exemplified what is most important to Rotarians. The Four Way Test; service above self, always a way of life. Mr. Kotansky was an old-school Lancastrian, not just a resident but a small businessman in the central business district, but who also ran his lumber business from his home. Bill lived, worked, played, served, and worshiped in the heart of our community for nearly his entire life. He witnessed Lancaster change from a small farming community to a post-urban renewal suburban town.
PHOTO (L to R): Rotary Past District Governor Robert Artis and Assistant District Governor Robert Benzel presenting a second Paul Harris Fellowship to William Kotansky recognizing over 50 years of active membership. Mary Kotansky is attaching the award pin to his lapel.
Bill served as club President from 1964-1965. In 1974, Bill led the charge for new Christmas decorations for display within the Lancaster Central Business District. On Thanksgiving 1974 brand new Christmas decorations began lining the street poles of Central Avenue, W. Main Street, Pleasant Ave. West, and Broadway. When those decorations became unusable after the momentous Blizzard of 1977, Bill again led the charge for another batch of Christmas decorations to replace the damaged ones. They hung annually until 2004. Club members then revived the idea in 2020, as a way to raise funds for our local food banks during the pandemic.
As of 2024 all decorations have been rebuilt. Lancaster-Depew Rotary now hangs 70 or so Christmas decorations on the poles in the same way Bill envisioned in fifty years ago. The club is even able to hang some of the original decorations purchased in 1974 that were undamaged during the Blizzard of '77. Thousands of dollars are raised every year for the betterment of our community just from this annual project.
In March of 1983, Bill became the fifth club member to be awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship, recognizing his meritorious service to the club. In 2017, he received his second Paul Harris Award, recognizing over 55 years of membership in the club.
In the concession business since 1945, Bill was a leading proponent to building the original concession stand at the Lancaster High School football field for our club. Another builder and Kotansky Lumber donated much of the materials and guided the team on the project. As a result, the club has been able to award tens of thousands in need-based college scholarships over the years.