Mr. Michael Gerard Janiszewski, 66, beloved husband of Loretta Connelly Janiszewski and a resident of Onancock, was welcomed to heaven by his Lord and Savior on Friday, April 25, 2025.
Born Nov. 15, 1958, in Fort Sill, Okla., he was the son of the late Frank Janiszewski and Mary Ellen Wood Janiszewski. Raised in a military family, Michael spent much of his childhood moving from base to base, both overseas and stateside, until the Janiszewskis settled in his father’s hometown in West Virginia. Michael attended college in West Virginia and earned a bachelor’s degree. He worked as an engineer at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for many years, retiring in 2016.
Michael was devout in his faith and was a dedicated member of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, where he also served as grand knight and 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Michael embodied the life of a true Christian through his genuine kindness, peaceful nature, and giving heart.
From a young age he became fascinated with trains, a passion that continued through adulthood. He was a longtime volunteer at the Historic Onley Train Station and enjoyed sharing his love of locomotives with others.
In addition to his loving wife, Loretta, he is survived by her daughters, Stephanie Jacobs Selby and her husband, Don, and Laura Conly and her husband, Travis Colfry. He is also survived by Loretta’s grandchildren, Raevan, Yvette, and Evan Selby and Millai, Brody, and Ollie Colfry, all of whom he loved as his own; his sister-in-law, Ethel Janiszewski; his nieces and nephew, Barbara Lemmel and Susan and Frank Janiszewski, as well as their families; and last but not least, his cats, Big Boy and Millie.
Other than his parents, Michael was predeceased by his first wife, Ida Marie Williams Janiszewski and his brother, Paul David Janiszewski.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Onley on Friday, May 9, at 11 a.m., with Father Michael Imperial officiating. There will be a visitation at the church one hour prior to the service. The family will gather for private interment at the Fairview Lawn Cemetery.
Contributions in Michael’s memory may be made to St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, P.O. Box 860, Onley, VA 23418.
Memory tributes may be shared with the family at
www.williamsfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.
