March 20, 1927 – August 11, 2021 (94)
Walter Joseph Cherniak Sr, 94, a World War II veteran of Aguada P.R, formerly of Meriden, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021, in Mayaguez, P.R. He was the husband of Gladys (Acevedo) Cherniak for 30 years.
Mr. Cherniak was born in Meriden on March 20, 1927, and was the youngest of five children born to Samuel Cherniak and Pauline Susczynski Cherniak.
He was raised in Meriden’s North End and attended Colony St. School, St. Stanislaus Parochial School, and Wilcox Technical High School until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on April 3, 1945.
During and after World War II, he served as a Seaman First Class, primarily attached to the Seabees, on vessels and stations in New Haven, New York, Florida, and California. He is a recipient of the American Theater Medal and Victory Medal.
Mr. Cherniak was a master electrician and the owner of Cherniak Electric, an electrical contracting company he operated primarily in the Meriden-Wallingford area for 42 years.
He was married to the former Dorothy Knapp for 37 years until her death in 1989. He and his second wife, Gladys Acevedo, initially divided their time between Meriden and Aguada P.R., before relocating full time to P.R. 25 years ago.
Survivors include his wife of 30 years, Gladys, six children: Doretta (James) Sackville of Milford; Maryann (Charles) Lexius of Berlin; Walter Jr. (Danette) Cherniak of Woodbine, Md.; and, Richard Cherniak, Lorraine Cherniak, and James Cherniak, all of Meriden.
He also leaves six grandchildren: Christopher Cherniak, of Meriden, Ryan (Courtney) Cherniak of Ann Arbor, Mich.; Erin (Patrick) Reeves of Frederick., Md.; Sonia Torres of Meriden; Jessica (Christopher) Ouellet of Torrington; and Jacob Jackson of Bend, Ore.; as well as four great-grandchildren. He is survived by many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Cherniak also is survived by two stepsons – Melqui (Martha) Nunez of Aguada, P.R.; and Abner Nunez of Meriden; as well as several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by three sisters, one brother, and their spouses: Paula (George) Whitney of Huron, Ohio; Jeanette (Ernest) Kezi of Wallingford; Mary (Emil) Altobello of Meriden; and John (Margery) Cherniak of Meriden.
A deeply religious man, Mr. Cherniak was a lifelong parishioner of St. Stanislaus Church. In addition to spending time with his family, he enjoyed watching sports, particularly the University of Connecticut Lady Huskies and the Boston Red Sox. He was a member of the Meriden Elks, B.P.O.E. Lodge 35, and the American Legion. He was a very kind and generous man and firmly believed in helping people, wherever he could if he was able to.