Michael Zajac, 88, formerly of Iona Place, Hanover Township, and presently a resident of the Mercy Center, Dallas, Pa., passed away on Friday, May 13, 2013. He was the husband of Irene Perlick Zajac.

He was born in Larksville, Pa. on December 12, 1924 to the late John and Mary Onderko Zajac.

He attended Larksville High School and enlisted in the Navy to serve the war effort during World War II. He saw service in both the European and Pacific Theaters, serving on land and on the Destroyer Escort U.S.S. Grady.

Prior to his retirement, he was employed first in manufacturing and later as a carpenter with the local union. He also served as the financial treasurer of the local union for many years.

He was a member of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, formerly St. Aloysius Parish, Wilkes Barre.

Mike was a great friend and neighbor, who was always willing to help with emergent home repairs or to loan out a few tools! In his earlier years, he was an avid bowler and throughout his life, he continued his love of fishing and gardening. He and his wife, Irene, enjoyed traveling to vacation spots in Mexico, Canada, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Florida, as well as, yearly family trips to the Jersey Shore and many extended visits to Las Vegas.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Rite Reverend Monsignor Stephen Zajac; sister-in-law, Ruth Perlick; brothers-in-law, Stanley (Rusty) Perlick, Frank Perlick and Samuel Shaskan.

Surviving are his wife, of 62 years, Irene; daughter, Michalene Behm and her husband, Daniel, of Harveys Lake; son, Jan Zajac and his wife, Donna, of Binghamton, N.Y.; grandchildren and the loves of his life, Aaron and Rebecca Zajac; sisters-in-law, Rosalynd Perlick-Spencer, of Brackney, Pa. and Janice Shaskan of Stamford, Conn; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; and great friends, Anna Pulaski, of Hanover Township and Peter Petrowski, of Plymouth.

The family would like to thank all the staff from the Meadows Nursing Care Center, and the Mercy Nursing Care Center, both of Dallas, for their care, individual attention and support provided to Mike and his family over the past year.

Mass will be held on Wednesday morning at 10:30 at the Mercy Nursing Care Center,
301 Lake St., Dallas. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Byzantine Cemetery, Dallas. Funeral arrangements are by the S.J.Grontkowski Funeral Home, Plymouth.

Family and friends may call on Wednesday morning at the Mercy Nursing Care Center, from 9:00 until 10:15.
In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing, many make a memorial contribution to the Meadows Nursing Care Unit Recreation Program, 4 East Center Street, Dallas, Pa, 18612.