JOSEPH M. BANIUKIEWICZ

Joseph M. Baniukiewicz, 82, of Worcester, died Saturday, December 11, 2021 at the UMass-Memorial Medical Center after an illness.

He was predeceased by his wife of 33 years, Bernadette M. “Bunnie” (Smith) Baniukiewicz, who died May 20, 1999, and his son, Joseph M. Baniukiewicz Jr., who died Feb. 16, 2003.

He leaves a daughter, Mindy A. Dulude and her husband Richard of Leicester; three grandsons, Richard D. Dulude Jr., Robert E. Dulude, both of Leicester, and Steven T. Dulude and his wife Shannon of Charlton; a granddaughter, Julie Dulude and her fiancé Trevore Ceredona of Webster; a brother, Robert (Mary-Jo) Baniukiewicz of Holden; a sister, Janice (Dean) Stickles of Sandwich; and several nephews and nieces.

He was born in Worcester, son of Joseph F. and Jennie T. (Brodzik) Baniukiewicz, and lived here most of his life.

He was a graduate of Saint Mary’s High School in Worcester and Anna Maria College in Paxton. He attended U.S. Marshal’s Court Security School.

Mr. Baniukiewicz was an assistant chief court officer in the Trial Court Department of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts since 1968. Previously, he was a correction officer for the Worcester County House of Corrections. Prior to that he worked in the planning division for the Worcester Police Department.

He served in the Massachusetts Air National Guard from 1956 until 1962. In 1961, he was mobilized to West Germany during the Berlin Wall crisis.

He served as chaplain’s assistant for the Massachusetts Army National Guard from 1982 to 1996.

Mr. Baniukiewicz was ordained a deacon of the Diocese of Worcester on May 11, 1980 and has served Christ the King Church during most of his ministry. For seven years, he worked with the Refugee Apostolate of the Diocese. He also regularly visited several nursing homes as a deacon.

He was a chaplain for the Central Mass. AFL-CIO Labor Council and several veterans organizations.

Mr. Baniukiewicz was a member of Christ the King Church and its Men’s Club, the First Friday Club, the Sodality of Our Lady at Holy Cross College, the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Refugee Apostolate. He was a member and former Grand Knight of the Christ the King Knights of Columbus Council No. 12691.

He was a former deputy sheriff of Worcester County. He was a member of the Central Mass. Police Association, the Southern Mass. Police Association, and the Worcester County Superior Court Officers Association.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, December 17, at 10 a.m. in Christ the King Church, 1052 Pleasant St., Worcester. Most Rev. Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester, will be the principal celebrant. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton.

Calling hours are Thursday, December 16, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Christ the King Church, including a vigil service at 7:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ the King Church, 1052 Pleasant St., Worcester, MA 01602 or to the Diaconate Program, Diocese of Worcester, 49 Elm St., Worcester, MA 01609.