John A. Zajackowski

John Zajackowski, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and brother, passed away peacefully at his Hatley home on June 15. He was 90 years old. He was born in Hatley in 1920 to Frances and Andrew Zajackowski and was one of 13 children. He served in the 1st Army Artillery, from 1939 until the end of World War II. He was deployed to Iceland, England and then to mainland Europe just after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. John survived infamous battles such as the Normandy Landings and the Battle of the Bulge. He revisited the Normandy Landing site and the adjacent American Cemetery in 2004 and was very moved by the contrast between his memories of the war and the tranquillity of the place now. Despite the horrors he endured, his war tales to his children usually only entailed the pretty girls and nice people who helped him along the way. That's probably because John was one of the kindest, gentlest men ever to walk this planet. Everyone he met was his "buddy." John joined the Wausau Police Department in 1953 and elevated to leading the Youth Aid Bureau in the tumultuous 1960s. Years later, grown men would stop John on the street and say, "If it wasn't for you helping me when I was a teenager, I'd either be dead or in jail by now." When John retired from the police force in 1982 as an Inspector, the Wausau Daily Herald headline read "Nice Guy Zajackowski Retires." John was a member of VFW Post 388, the American Legion and the Retired Policemen's Association. He was previously an active member of the Knights of Columbus, the Hatley Holy Name Society and the Hatley Lion's Club. He and his wife, Betty, were blessed late in life with three grandchildren whom they adored. The kids all agree that Grandpa's house "is the best place in the world and Grandpa is the best Grandpa ever." His last few years were difficult, but he still held his good nature and love of life. Special heartfelt thanks to his niece, Theresa, who took care of him when his daughters were away. Special thanks to Aspirus Comfort Care and Home Hospice Services, particularly his nurse Rachel , nurse's aides Amanda, Laurie, Shelly and Home Hospice volunteer, Julie Duley. John was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Betty, long lamented son and daughter, Michael and Kathleen, his parents and several brothers and sisters. He is survived by his daughter, Suzanne Linnett (Paul), daughter, Tracy Kurschner, grandchildren Claire, Ben and Will, brothers Adam and Larry, and sister Wanda Gajewski. Visitation is on Thursday, June 23, 2011 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at St. Florian's Catholic Church in Hatley. Funeral services will be held at the church at 5:00 p.m., immediately after the visitation. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park on Friday June 24. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com