Josef Janik

WEBSTER___Josef Janik, 90, of Webster, formerly of Worcester, passed away on January 7, 2012 in St. Vincent Hospital, Worcester after a year long illness. His wife of 43 years, Vera (Wasilenko) Janik died in 2001. His first wife of five years, Christina (Gorchinska) Janik died in 1955.
He leaves two daughters, Rita S. Janik of Webster with whom he made his home, and Elizabeth Janik and her husband James West of Hampton, N.H., a son, Joseph Perec of Worcester; three grandchildren, Mark Perec, Luke Perec and Sonia DiGioia and two great-grandchildren. He also leaves a brother, Jacek Janik and his wife Teresa, two sisters, Lucianna Cencora and Nastka Kulej and several nephews and nieces all of Poland. He was also predeceased by a sister and a brother, Maria Pasieka and Boguslaw Janik. He was born in Borowe, Poland a son of Marcin and Stanislawa (Kalmuk) Janik. Josef entered Military School in 1938 during the invasion of Poland in World War II. Josef was a prisoner of war for 2 years in Russia from 1939 - 1941. After being freed he joined the Polish 2nd Corp. 6th Brigade in 1942 that served under the British 8th Army. He served in Uzbekistan from 1941 - 42, Persia 1942 and in Kirkuk, Iraq 1943 protecting the oil refineries for the British. In May of 1944, Josef was part of the Polish Corps that captured Monte Cassino, Italy. After 3 years in Italy, Josef came to Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1946 and worked as a farmhand for 2 years; later moving to Sudbury, Ontario, Canada for 10 years working for International Nickel Co. as a foreman. He moved to the United States in 1958 and worked 25 years as a grinder for John J. Addams Die Corp. He was a member of Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, Worcester and was a member of the P.N.I. Club and once served as President and as Treasurer.
The funeral will be held on Thursday, Jan. 12 from HENRY-DIRSA FUNERAL HOME, 33 Ward Street, Worcester with a Mass at 10:30 A.M. in Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, 34 Ward Street, Worcester. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester. Calling hours in the funeral home are Wednesday, Jan. 11 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. and again from 9:15 to 10:15 A.M. Thursday Jan. 12. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to VNA Care Hospice, 120 Thomas St., Worcester, Ma., 01608.