Z. Walter Janiak, age 92, of East Sandwich, died March 29, 2005 at Cape Cod Hospital after a brief illness.
He was the husband of the late Elizabeth M. (Taylor) Janiak.
Born in Fall River, the son of the late Andrew and Aniela (Nowak) Janiak, he had lived in Dartmouth for most of his life before moving to Sandwich 3 years ago.
He was a communicant of St. Mary's Church in South Dartmouth.
Mr. Janiak was a graduate of New Bedford Vocational High School. While there, he captained the 1930-31 track team and also played both football and basketball. He later graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester where he ran track and specialized in football. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame at both New Bedford Vocational High School and at Holy Cross.
After his graduation from college, Mr. Janiak returned to New Bedford Vocational High School where he served as teacher, coach and administrator before being elevated to the post of Director in 1958. In 1971, he was named the first Superintendent-Director of the newly created Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School. Mr. Janiak retired in 1984, ending more than a half-century of dedication to education and devotion to the school he so dearly loved. On November 11, 1995, the school showed its appreciation by naming its field house after him.
Mr. Janiak served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, serving as a flight instructor at Pearl Harbor and aboard the U.S.S. Riverside, obtaining the rank of Lieutenant. He was a recipient of the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon, the Philippine Liberation Medal, the American Theater Campaign Ribbon, and the World War II Victory Medal.
He enjoyed fishing and boating.
Survivors include his daughter, Elizabeth T. Ferris, and her husband Richard, of Sandwich; 2 sisters, Wanda Bourgeois and Lola Stawasz, both of Acushnet; 3 grandchildren, Matthew Ferris, Erin Ferris and Kellen Ferris; and several nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late John Janiak, Mitch Janiak, Ted Janiak and Elizabeth Phaneuf.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his visiting hours at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, Thursday, March 31st from 5-8 PM.
His Funeral Mass and burial on Friday will be private.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265.