Obituary of Louis Dominick Poltanis

STONY CREEK: Louis D. Poltanis of Stony Creek, N.Y. passed away on Friday April 12, 2024 at Glens Falls Hospital.

Born September 19, 1929 in Sugar Notch, PA, he was the son of the late Dominick and Helen Poltanis, the youngest of four children:  brother Dominick and sisters Helen and Cecilia.  He married Frances Dorner, the love of his life in July 1974 and resided in Huntington, Long Island before moving to Stony Creek in 1994.

Lou graduated from Long Island City High School in Queens, N.Y. and served in the U.S. Army, 1951 through 1953 during the Korean Conflict as Ranger Sergeant.  He graduated from Intelligence Recognizance School in Ft. Benning GA, MDS (I&R chief), Ft. Benning Ranger School in 1952 and was honorably discharged in January 1953.

Upon leaving the service Lou was assigned to the New York City Police Department in June 1953.  He was appointed to the Detective Bureau March 1960, and Intelligence Division June 1969, retiring in September 1987.  He afforded security for eight U.S. presidents, dignitaries from numerous foreign countries as well as numerous heads of state and governments, among them two Popes.  Lou had the distinct honor of meeting St. Pope John II personally.

He was liaison with the Archdiocese of New York and had the honor of affording security for Cardinal Spellman, Terrance Cardinal Cooke, John Cardinal O’Connor and Bishop Fulton J. Sheen.

Lou retired from the Intelligence Division September 1987 after 34 years of service in the New York City Police Department.  He was a current member of American Legion Post 446 in Warrensburg, N.Y. with 71 years in the organization.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus St. Isaac Jogues Council 11428 in Lake George, N.Y. and Msgr. Daniel F. Curtain Assembly in Glens Falls, N.Y. where he served as 4^th Degree Commander of the Color Corps.  He served as Grand Knight of the St. Cecilia Church Council 11166 which won the Star Award six years in a row.  Louis is a past member of the St. Cecilia Church Council and currently attends Sacred Heart Church in Lake George.  He was an avid hunter, fisherman, golfer, Gardner and loved most sports.

Lou is survived by his wife of 50 years Fran, sisters Helen Bradshaw of Rochester and Cecilia Baksis of Largo, FL.; nephew Thomas Bradshaw and his wife Margaret of Rochester, grand niece Michelle Kostick and her husband Steve, their children Katherine and Kristopher, grand nephew Brian Bradshaw and his wife Brandi, their children Braden and Blake, and grand nephew Gregory Baksis of FL.

Lou’s P.S.: “As I passed through life, I had the distinct pleasure of knowing the nicest people in this world.  God bless all of you especially our priests who need our support and friendship now more than ever.”

In lieu of flowers, donations in Lou’s memory can be made to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, www.stjude.org or Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, 50 Mohican Street, Lake George, NY 12845.

Friends are invited to call on Lou’s family from 4pm – 7pm, Thursday, April 18, 2024 at Alexander Funeral Home, 3809 Main Street, Warrensburg, NY. The Knights of Columbus and the American Legion will provide services during that time.

A Mass of Chirstian burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 19, 2024 at 11am, Sacred Heart Church, 50 Mohican St., Lake George with the Very Reverend Joseph Busch presiding. 

Burial will follow in St. Cecilia’s Cemetery, Warrensburg.

Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online condolences, guest book and directions.