WORCESTER_____Dr. Thaddeus J. Jankowski, 83, of 106 Beeching St., passed away on June 20 surrounded by family members at the VNA Hospice Residence at Coes Pond. He leaves his wife of 62 years, Agnes (Anteski) Jankowski, two daughters and their husbands, Barbara & Ernest Melanson of Worcester; Ann & Edward Popoli of Westfield; two sons, Thaddeus J. Jankowski, Jr, and his wife Jane Sweeney of New Castle, NH., and David Jankowski of Garden Valley, Idaho. He also leaves fourteen grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by five sisters, Sr. M. Euthalia, CSFN, Atty. Stella Ciborowski, Helen M. Bocian, Josephine Krupinski and Sr. M. Timothy, CSFN, and two brothers, Francis and Chester Jankowski. His parents were the late Apolinary and Frances (Wojciak) Jankowski.
Dr. Jankowski was born in Worcester and graduated from St. Peter's High School and attended St. John Canty and Alliance Colleges in Pennsylvania for his pre-dental training and graduated from Loyola College of Dentistry in Chicago. He served as a dentist in the Navy during WW II and again during the Korean conflict, retiring from the Naval Reserves with the rank of Lt. Commander. Dr. Jankowski was a member of the staff at St. Vincent Hospital and maintained a dental practice in Worcester for 45 years until his retirement in 1993.
Throughout his life he was active in area professional, religious and civic organizations. He was a Life Member and Past President of the Worcester District Dental Society, a member of the American Dental Association, the Massachusetts Dental Society, a Past Commander of the Polish American Veterans of WW II, a Past President of the Quo Vadis Club, a member of the Worcester Economic Club, and a Past President of the Sodality of Our Lady at Holy Cross. He also served as a Eucharistic Minister and was a communicant and Lector at Our Lady of Czestochowa Church. Dr. Jankowski received numerous awards for his longstanding service to the community. Other organizations that benefited from his service include the Green Island Neighborhood Association, Nazareth Home for Boys, the Polish National Alliance, the Lake Quaboag Association, the Retired Officer’s Club, the Korean War Veterans and the St. Mary’s Booster Club.
The funeral will be held on Friday June 24 from HENRY-DIRSA FUNERAL HOME, 33 Ward St., with a Mass at 10:30 am in Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, 34 Ward St. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery. Calling hours in the funeral home are Thursday June 23 from 5 to 8 p.m. Members of Polish American Veterans of World War II will meet at 7:30 p.m. during calling hours to conduct their ritual. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Czestochowa Memorial Fund, 34 Ward St., Worcester, MA 01610, Dana - Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney St., Boston, MA 02115 or to VNA Care - Hospice Residence 10 Judith Rd., Worcester, MA 01602.