John Wojtanowicz

Obituary John "Jack" Wojtanowicz (78), passed away on Friday January 18, 2019 after a short battle with cancer. John was born September 25, 1940 to Stanley and Rose Wojtanowicz (Nierenhausen), the sixth of seven siblings. John attended Bellarmine Preparatory School and Wilson High School in Tacoma. After he graduated from Wilson, John met (and soon married) Margaret (Barkley) Wojtanowicz. They had eight children and lived a long and happy life together focused on their family and Catholic faith. Margaret left us in 2016, but she remained John's one and only love until his passing. Throughout his life, John's focus was on improving the lives of his family, his friends, and the communities to which he belonged. Among many other volunteer activities, John coached his daughters' softball teams, spruced up the houses of elderly and needy residents through Paint Tacoma Beautiful, worked with non-profits that installed safety bars in the homes of elderly people and renovated domestic violence shelters, and gave countless hours to the communities at Holy Cross, St. Charles and Bellarmine. John was an unsung hero who always volunteered for the jobs nobody else wanted, like running the cleanup crew after the Bellarmine Pride Auction, which he did for many years. His service was selfless and motivated by the simple desire to contribute wherever and whenever he could. He always found time to help out a friend, family member, or even strangers, and he left an imprint of kindness and sincerity that will last beyond his passing. John was a career Journeyman Lather with Local #1144, where he also served as union president for many years. John was deeply devoted to the organized labor cause, and took great pride in his work with the union and in his union brotherhood. One of his great pleasures was working on the popular union news bulletin, called the "Rock Sheet." John started the Rock Sheet as a way to connect with union members and keep them apprised of union business, and he wrote the well-loved bulletin for many years. After he retired from the union, John continued to pursue his passion for the trades by working on programs with the State of Washington and Goodwill Industries that encouraged and trained workers to enter construction apprenticeships. John was reunited in heaven with his wife Margaret, son Heath John, his parents, and his brothers Richard, Vernon, and Stanley Wojtanowicz. John was the rock of his family, and he will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to be related to him. He will be especially missed by his children (and in-laws) Amy Dahmen (Dave), Lisa Phillips (Sean), Brent (Lisa), Joel (Wendy), Garth (Tabata), Zachary (Sara), Adam (Sarah), and by his 16 grandchildren, Bethany (Marc), Claire (Russell), Ariel (Derek), Abigail, Griffin, Camille, Garrett, Mackenzie, Allie, Isaac, Logan, Miranda, Max, Madelynn, Audrey, and Penelope (and 1 great grandchild, due in September). John's sisters Rosemary Johnston, Kathleen Pollet, and Dorothy Jones survive John and grieve his loss, as do his numerous nieces, nephews, lifelong friends, and the Barkley family, who loved John as one of their own. A rosary will be recited at Gaffney Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 22nd at 7pm. A funeral mass and reception will be celebrated at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church on Wednesday, January 23rd at 11am. Interment to follow at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to St. Charles Food Bank or Nativity House in John's memory Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home