Obituary: Susan Jane (Kaminski) Janik, age 69, of Naugatuck

Obituary courtesy of Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald Zembruski Funeral Home

Susan Jane Janik Obituary

Naugatuck-Susan Jane (Kaminski) Janik, age 69, beloved wife of Stanley Janik, passed away unexpectedly on Monday February 17, 2025 while out with her husband in New Haven. Born in Waterbury, CT on March 6, 1955, she was the daughter of the late Anthony F. Kaminski, Sr., and Mary (Yablonski) Kaminski. Sue lived most of her life in Naugatuck, was a graduate of Naugatuck High School in 1973, and attended Stratford School of Business. She had a successful career as an office manager and as Personnel Manager at local companies including more than a decade at United Avionics in Naugatuck.

Susan retired while in her 40’s and enjoyed spending time at the camper that she owned for 25 years in Rhode Island. She was somewhat of an artist in her early years with sketches and paintings, some of which still hang in her home today. But Susan also loved the rugged outdoors. She took pride in being able to operate a chain saw to cut her own firewood for the campground. Sue would go clamming in the tidal mud flats at Point Judith and caught bluefish from the family boat in Long Island Sound. She loved horseback riding and briefly owned a motorcycle. Sue was an excellent cook and won ribbons over multiple years for her baked goods at the Durham Fair. She was a fan of UConn Huskies, having shared season tickets for basketball and football with her husband for the past 20+ years.

Sue liked traveling all over this country including Florida and Disney and California and the Grand Canyon but especially Las Vegas. For most of the last two decades, Sue enjoyed vacationing in Myrtle Beach where she owned a condo with her husband at a golf resort near the shore. More than anything, Sue enjoyed time spent with friends and family including holiday parties, cookouts, beach vacations, boating and pool parties, and she loved spending time with her two grandchildren.

In addition to her loving husband of 46 years, Stan, she leaves her family to cherish her memory, their beautiful daughter Jennifer Das and her husband Proloy of Avon; her wonderful grandchildren Indira (10) and Oliver (6) Das. Susan enjoyed a big family of siblings who survived her including Mrs. Nancy Conway, Anthony Kaminski, Jr. and wife Julie all of Naugatuck, William Kaminski and partner Jan Puzas-Baltrush of Waterbury, Thomas Kaminski and wife Maureen of Terryville, and Mrs. Cindy Shupenis and husband Paul of Naugatuck.

Sue has twelve nieces and nephews, most living in the area with their spouses or partners, along with fifteen of the next generation of the family. She has numerous cousins still living in town or nearby.

Susan is predeceased by her parents, and her sister Mrs. Judith Flaherty and husband Michael, brother-in-law Michael Conway and sister Mary Anne who passed as an infant.

Visitation will be on Thursday February 20, 2025 from 5-7 p.m. at the Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald Zembruski Funeral Home, 240 North Main Street, Naugatuck. A funeral service will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery. To send an on-line condolence or share a memory, please visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.co...