Albert Adamkoski Jr. died helping to rescue Olivia Adamkoski from drowning, Mayfield, New York, July 8, 2022. Olivia, 12, was playing with other children on a submerged sandbar at an end of an island in the Great Sacandaga Lake when she encountered a steep underwater drop-off, causing her to submerge. Olivia resurfaced but, panicked, she struggled to swim. On a docked pontoon boat nearby, her father, Adamkoski, 47, preacher, heard Olivia call out for help. He jumped off the boat and ran along the island to the water’s edge. Adamkoski then waded about 15 feet and swam about 85 feet to Olivia, who reached a point off the island where the water was about 9 feet deep. Panicking, Olivia submerged both herself and Adamkoski at least twice before he successfully calmed her and instructed Olivia onto his back so he could keep her afloat. Adamkoski called out for friends and family on the island to undock the boat and assist them. Over the course of several minutes as members of Adamkoski’s group launched the boat, Olivia moved from Adamkoski’s back to his side in an effort to remain afloat as they trod water together. Meanwhile, a man nearby who heard the commotion entered the water and swam to Adamkoski and Olivia, at which point the bystander retrieved Olivia from Adamkoski. The man told Adamkoski to follow him back to shore, but, at some point, as the man towed Olivia toward the island, Adamkoski submerged. The man and Olivia were intercepted by a boat piloted by Adamkoski’s group, which helped the man move Olivia onto the boat. The boat then returned to the island, where they delivered Olivia to safety on land. Olivia had swallowed water during the incident and suffered from intermittent vomiting that lasted about an hour; she recovered. Adamkoski’s body was recovered about two hours later. He had drowned.
92579-10499Obituary
Pastor Albert K. Adamkoski, Jr., 47, of Mayfield, NY, went home to be with the Lord as the result of a tragic incident on Friday, July 8, 2022, on the Great Sacandaga Lake. He died a hero, giving his life for others.
He received Christ as his Savior at the age of 26 and lived a life that pointed others to Christ. He selflessly loved his family, church, and community. He was one of the most generous people you would ever meet and was a man of true character and faith.
Albert was born in Gloversville on October 14, 1974, the firstborn child of Albert and Bonnie Hart Adamkoski, Sr. and was a 1993 graduate of Mayfield Central School.
Survivors include his loving wife, Hannah Palacios Adamkoski, whom he married on May 10, 2008; six children, Austin and Alyssa Adamkoski, both of Gloversville, and Madelyna, Olivia, Adeline and AJ Adamkoski, all of Mayfield; his father, Albert Adamkoski Sr. of Gloversville; his mother, Bonnie VanNostrand of Mayfield; two sisters, Jen Lessard and Stacey Brooker, both of Gloversville; a brother, Jeremy Adamkoski of West Chester, PA; a grandson, Archer Adamkoski; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.