Deacon Joseph M. Baniukiewicz, 82

WORCESTER - Deacon Joseph M. Baniukiewicz, 82, died Dec. 11 at UMass-Memorial Medical Center after an illness.
He was ordained a permanent deacon by Bishop Bernard J. Flanagan on May 11, 1980 at his parish, Christ the King in Worcester, where he served during most of his ministry. 
He regularly visited several nursing homes, was acting director of the diocesan Office of Justice and Peace, worked with the Refugee Apostolate, and was deacon for the First Friday Club and Worcester County Sodality of Our Lady. He was chaplain for the Central Massachusetts AFL-CIO Labor Council and several veterans organizations.  
Deacon Baniukiewicz was a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and Christ the King’s Men’s Club, and was Grand Knight of the parish’s Knights of Columbus Council 12691. 
He was born in Worcester, son of Joseph F. and Jennie T. (Brodzik) Baniukiewicz, and lived there most of his life. He was a graduate of Saint Mary’s High School in Worcester and Anna Maria College in Paxton and completed National Correctional Offices School, Non-lethal Weapons School, and court security courses with the U.S. Marshalls Service.
He served in the Massachusetts Air National Guard from 1956-1962.  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.  
He worked in the planning division for the Worcester Police Department, and was a corrections officer for the Worcester County House of Corrections, and an assistant chief court officer. He was a deputy sheriff of Worcester County and a member of the Central Massachusetts Police Association, the Southern Massachusetts Police Association and the Worcester County Superior Court Officers Association, among many other groups.   
Deacon Baniukiewicz 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. and 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.  
Calling hours are from 6:30-8:30 p.m. December 16 at Christ the King Church, 1052 Pleasant St., Worcester, with a vigil service at 7:30 p.m.  
The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Dec. 17 at Christ the King, with Bishop McManus as the principal celebrant. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton.  
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. The Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester, is directing arrangements.