Atanazij Zajac

January 30, 1923 - March 11, 2021

Atanazij Zajac of Wye Mills, MD passed away on March 11, 2021 at Compass Regional Hospice in Centreville, MD. He was 98. Born on January 30, 1923 in the Ukraine, he was the son of Michael and Mary Zajac. He grew up in the Ukraine and later moved to Germany during WWII, after Germany occupied the Ukraine. During the war he worked in a factory, as a farm manager, and as a bartender in Heidelberg, where he met his wife, who was working as a waitress. They fell in love and would not be able to marry until after the war ended. On June 26, 1945 they married and were classified as displaced refugees under President Truman, allowing them to immigrate to the United States in January of 1949. They arrived in Baltimore and worked for Herbert Carter as a farm laborer. Atanazij enjoyed spending time with the family and tinkering with small machinery in his garage. Atanazij is survived by his sons Walter Zajac (Bonne) of Denton, MD; Michael Zajac (Elise) of Queenstown, MD; grandchildren Ashley Zajac; Michael Zajac; Troy Knotts; Great Grandchildren Kylee Zajac; Kayla Knotts; Roman Knotts; and great grandchild Buckley Groth. He was predeceased by his wife Eva Zajac in 2010. A mass will be held on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 11 am at Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church in Centreville, MD. A burial will follow in St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Queenstown, MD. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Compass Regional Hospice, 160 Coursevall Drive, Centreville, MD 21617.