AUBURN - Wallace M. Banach, 88, passed away in his home surrounded by his loving family on Friday, June 2. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jane F. (Anisko) Banach. He also leaves two sons: Archbishop Michael W. Banach, Apostolic Nuncio (Vatican Ambassador) to Senegal, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania, and David M. Banach of Lawrenceville, NJ; his brother, FatherE Henry S. Banach of Auburn; several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by brothers, Chester and Edward Banach; sisters, Statia Yuknavich, Phyllis Sokoloski, Genevieve O'Brien, Helene Nedroscik, Alycia Skedgell, Jane Swenson O'Connor, Mary Dillon and Rita Banach. He was born in Worcester, son of Stanislaus and Antonina (Stomski) Banach.
He was a U.S. Army veteran who served during the Korean War with the rank of Sergeant.
Mr. Banach received a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Tri-State College, now Trine University, in Angola IN. He was an industrial engineer at American Optical / Cabot Safety Corp. in Southbridge for many years before retiring. An avid Red Sox and Patriots fan, Mr. Banach, a man of deep Christian faith, also cultivated interests in militaria, nature, hunting and fishing.
The funeral will be held on Monday, June 5, 2017 from HENRY-DIRSA FUNERAL HOME, 33 Ward St., Worcester with a Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial, with Archbishop Banach as principal celebrant, at 11:30 a.m., in Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, 34 Ward St., Worcester. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery. Calling hours in the funeral home will be Monday, June 5, 2017 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.