Walter Zielonka

Obituary notice to follow.

Walter Zielonka, 84, of Elmwood Park, NJ passed away peacefully on Wednesday November 19th, 2025.

As a result of his family being forced to migrate by the Germans during WWII, he grew up in Czeremcha, Poland.  He was the 4th of 7 children. Walter came to the United States in 1963 settling initially in Garfield, NJ.  He and his wife raised their family in Clifton where he lived for many years and more recently had been living in Elmwood Park. Prior to retirement, he had been employed for 32 years as Head Foreman with Andmar Plastics Company in Clifton. He was a faithful and active parishioner, as well as an usher of St. Michael the Archangel Byzantine Cathedral in Passaic, serving the church regularly.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Mary (Mynio) Zielonka and his three devoted children: John Zielonka and his wife, Tania, of Fairfield, NJ, Michael Zielonka of Elmwood Park and Anna Zielonka of New York City. He also is survived by his brother John Zielonka and his wife Antonina; two sisters: Mary Bilyj, her husband Michael, and Anna Znak; predeceased by his brother-in-law, Zenon Znak, his brother Michael and wife Irka.  He also leaves behind nieces and nephews and their children: Theresa (Steve) Kapitula, Olga (Stanley) Melnychuk, Helen Klics, Olga (Pawlo) Figol, Maryann (Richard) Hoholuk, Andreann Znak, Lesia (Orsini) Sanchez, Annemarie (Andrew) Tynio, Peter (Jody) Zielonka, Michael (Liza) Bilyj and Andrew (Kristen) Bilyj. He is also survived by the many members of his extended family in both Poland and Ukraine.

Mr. Zielonka spent much of his time helping at St. Michael’s Cathedral and was also an active member of the Ukrainian Center in Passaic. He and his wife frequented some of the homebound parishioners and prepared Easter baskets to hand out for those that were unable to attend church regularly and also to celebrate Easter. He enjoyed building birdhouses as a hobby and has built over 20 birdhouses in his backyard.  He made friends with the local bakeries that provided leftover bread to feed the birds, especially during the winter months. He always kept active by spending time with yardwork, blowing the leaves for the neighborhood and fixing and reengineering things around the house. He also enjoyed spending time with his beloved children’s dogs, Teddy and Tartuffi.  He was well known in the nearby towns for his homemade tea and Medivka (honey, lemon and Spirytus), a recipe from the old country that he and his son Michael have been perfecting.

Visitation will be held on Friday from 4-8pm at Bizub-Quinlan Funeral Home, 1313 Van Houten Avenue, Clifton. Funeral Service on Saturday at 9:15am at the funeral home and 10:00am Liturgy at St. Michael Byzatine Cathedral, 96 First Street, Passaic. Interment to follow at Holy Spirit Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, Campbell Hall, NY.  A repast luncheon will be held after the services at the cemetery: Limoncello Restaurant at the Orange Inn, 159-167 Main Street, Goshen, NY 10924.

         In lieu of flowers, Walter's wish was that a donation in his name be made to "St. Michael's Food Pantry" - which provides weekly food to at least 50-70 families in need. If you choose to donate, please send a check to: St. Michael's Cathedral, 96 First Street, Passaic, NJ 07055. Please visit www.bizubquinlan.com to leave online condolences to Mr. Zielonka’s family on the Tribute Wall of his obituary page. May his memory be eternal, Vichnaya pamyat.

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