Funeral Services, Memorial Scholarship Announced For Wayne Principal

WAYNE, NJ — Funeral arrangements have been announced for Wayne Valley High School principal Ken Palczewski, and a memorial scholarship has been set up in his name.

Palczewski, who became Valley's principal in 2013, died on Thursday at the age of 58. He remained "strong, optimistic, and uncomplaining" while fighting cancer for the past nine months, according to his obituary with Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home.

District leaders remembered Palczewski as a beloved member of the school community who not only focused on academic excellence, but also cared deeply about supporting students and families.

"His care for every student, his dedication to his staff, and the sense of family and Valley Pride he brought to our school community made an indelible impact," Superintendent Dr. Mark Toback said. "He will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on in every hallway and classroom."

Palczewski began his decades-long career in education as a teacher and coach, and previously served as the dean of students at Wayne Hills and Schyuler-Colfax Middle School. He was the assistant principal at Hills for five years before coming to lead Valley for the 2013-2014 school year.

Former student-athletes, pupils, colleagues, and friends have also been sharing their memories of him and expressing condolences to his wife and children on social media, along with on his online obituary.

"He loved his job and was excellent at it," one person wrote in the Wayne Community Corner group on Facebook. "This a huge loss for Wayne and even a deeper loss to his family."

Palczewski and his wife Maureen have two children, Peter and Brenna.

Friends are invited to visit with his family from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15 at the funeral home (567 Ratzer Road, Wayne).

A funeral Mass will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 16 at Our Lady of Consolation Roman Catholic Church (1799 Hamburg Turnpike, Wayne). Services will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Palczewski will be buried at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Totowa, per his obituary.

In lieu of flowers, and to honor his commitment to his students, Palczewski's family has set up a scholarship fund in his memory. Contributions may be sent to: Ken Palczewski Scholarship Fund, c/o Lucy Couso, Wayne Valley High School, 551 Valley Road, Wayne, NJ 07470.

Checks should be made out to the Ken Palczewski Scholarship Fund.