Nicholas Benedict Stachniak, 82, of Vero Beach, FL died Saturday, September 5, 2009 at the Consulate Health Care of Vero Beach.
Mr. Stachniak was born March 2, 1927 in Chicago, IL and moved to Vero Beach in 1990 from New York, NY.
He graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor in Science Journalism Degree. He served in the US Army during WWII stateside and in Germany. In 1962 he joined the New York Times in their composing room and retired after 28 years of service. Mr. Stachniak was a member of the CWA/ITU Union and St. Helen Catholic Church in Vero Beach and he supported many animal rights movements and also was a lover of opera. He spent years researching his family tree and traveled to Poland and the Ukraine to facilitate this, after his retirement he moved to Florida where he remained for the rest of his life.
Survivors include his long time companion Richard Schafer of Vero Beach; long time friends Cabot and Barbara Jaffee; and Marilyn Zamenik; brothers Joseph Stachniak of Sarasota, FL, Ray Stachniak of Cypress, CA and Don Stachniak of Clairmont, CA; sisters-in-law Rita Stachniak of Darien, IL, Dolores Stachniak of Oak Brook, IL and Shirley Stachniak of Carol Stream, IL.
He was predeceased by his brothers John and Gene and sisters Florence and Anne.
Services: The family will receive friends 10 - 11:30 AM, Monday, September 14, 2009 at Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home in Vero Beach. A Mass will be celebrated, 12 Noon, Monday, September 14, 2009 at St. Helen Catholic Church in Vero Beach. Interment will take place at Saint Mary Cemetery in Evergreen Park, IL.
Memorial Contributions can be made to the Human Society of Vero Beach Florida, 6230 77th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32967.