Walter S. Janicek

Walter S. Janicek, age 67, of Lebanon Twp., NJ passed away on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital Somerset in Somerville, NJ. 

He was born on August 19, 1954 in Newark, NJ.  He resided in Newark as a child before moving to West Orange, NJ and then to Lebanon NJ, in 1993. 

He was the son of the late Walter and Alice (Pyzik) Janicek.

He was the husband of Rebecca ‘Becky’ (Laughlin) Janicek. 

Walter was a graduate of Essex Catholic High School then attended Upsala College in East Orange, NJ where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science in 1977.  During his time at Upsala he worked summers as the Camp Environmental Counselor at the Four Seasons Outdoor Center in Califon, NJ.  After graduation he then worked for the city of Newark, NJ k in the Environmental Engineering Department until he was hired by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection as an Emergency Responder.

He then went on to form his own company, Cokesbury Environmental as an Environmental Consultant.  In that capacity and building on his love of nature he became a national expert in remediating oil spill impact on beaches. Most notably he worked on the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill in Alaska and the Deep Water Horizon Spill in the Gulf Coast.  He also shared his knowledge internationally traveling to make a presentation to the Vietnamese government for Pure Earth, a non profit focused on pollution issues in low income countries.

Upon retirement he developed a hobby business built upon his love of American history and folklore.

He was active in many outdoor hiking clubs.  He was instrumental in organizing the “Great Outdoors Club” at Upsala College, held positions in the Essex County Adult Exploring Club and was active in the Audubon Society and Sierra Club in NJ.  He was an active member of Cokesbury United Methodist Church in Lebanon, NJ. 

Walter was an avid outdoorsman.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking.

He also loved travel, cooking and entertaining with his wife at their home.

Survivors in addition to his loving wife include one sister; Sandi Klutkowski and her husband William of Cranford, NJ.  Two nephews; Tyler Klutkowski and Kevin Klutkowski. 

A Memorial Service will take place on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 2:30 pm at Cokesbury United Methodist Church, 230 Cokesbury Road, Lebanon, NJ 08833. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Scarponi-Bright Funeral Home in Lebanon, NJ. 

Memorials can be made to The Sierra Club at  https://sierraclub.org or The Audubon Society at https://audubonsociety.org

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