Edward Zelazo

Attorney Edward Stanley Zelazo, 83, of 8 Summer St. Adams, a longtime attorney and former State Representative, died Sunday morning, March 9, 2008, at North Adams Regional Hospital, where he was admitted earlier in the day. He was born in Adams on May 27, 1924, a son of the late Stanley and Susanna (Siara) Zelazo. He attended Adams schools, and graduated from the former Adams High School in 1942, where he was a star athlete in basketball, football and baseball. Mr. Zelazo then entered the military during World War II, serving with the US Navy aboard a destroyer in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. Upon his honorable discharge, he entered the University of Massachusetts at their Fort Devens branch to pursue his law degree on the GI Bill. He later transferred to the Boston University School of Law, where he graduated in 1951. Mr. Zelazo returned to Adams and established his own law practice, until he was elected State Representative from Adams for 2 terms. He was later named to the Massachusetts Industrial Accident Board, where he was a hearing judge and later its chairman. Retiring after many years on the board, he returned to Adams and resumed his law practice, until finally retiring 15 years ago. Mr. Zelazo took great enjoyment operating his farm in Florida, MA where he raised Christmas trees and blueberries for over 40 years. He was a communicant of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Adams, where he served as a lector and Eucharistic minister, as well as a member of several committees. He was a member of the St. Stanislaus Kostka Society, Adams Post 160 American Legion, the Polish National Alliance, and the Massachusetts and American Bar Associations. He had also served on the Adams School Committee and the Massachusetts Emergency Finance Board. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, the former Catherine R. Perenick, whom he married on October 10, 1953; 3 sons - Timothy Zelazo and Louis Zelazo, both of Florida, MA; and Anthony Zelazo of Adams; 4 daughters - Constance Quinn of Torrington, CT; Martina Agnew of Gum Springs, VA; Manna Mason of Florida, MA and Angela Walker of Quincy, MA; 1 brother - Stanley Zelazo of Adams; 20 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Another son, Peter Zelazo, died in 1982. He was also predeceased by 2 sisters, Marion Bernat and Jean Richards. The funeral will be held on Wednesday, March 12, at 9:00 AM from the PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St. Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Adams, celebrated by Rev. Daniel J. Boyle, Pastor of the Catholic Parishes of Adams. Burial will be in the Spring in St. Stanislaus Kostka Cemetery, Adams. Calling hours are Tuesday from 4 to 7 PM at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the Zelazo Family Scholarship Fund at Hoosac Valley High School or to the St. John Kanty Scholarship Fund at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, through the funeral home.

Edward Zelazo

March 11, 2008