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John Maziarz Obituary

JOHN D. MAZIARZ 1934 2008 ADAMS John Donald Maziarz, 73, of 1 Dubis St., died Monday, May 5, 2008, at Berkshire Medical Center. Born in Pittsfield on Aug. 4, 1934, son of John and Aniela Fryc Maziarz. He attended schools in Adams and graduated from the former Adams High School. He received his masters in artistry from Columbia University in New York City. He was an Army Veteran, who served in the Vietnam War. Mr. Maziarz worked as a art instructor for over 30 years at the Mount Greylock Regional High School. He was a communicant of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church. John was a longtime member of the Mountain Club, St. Stanislaus Kostka Society, and the Adams Lions Club. He was also a member of the Silver Grays and the Massachusetts Art Alumni, and an an avid supporter of Mass Moca. His wife, the former Cecilia E. Zawislak, whom he married on Nov. 23, 1961, died Aug. 28, 2001. He leaves one son, Jeffery J. Maziarz of Springfield; one daughter, Liane C. Maziarz of Adams, and one grandson, Vale N. Maziarz of Adams. FUNERAL NOTICE: The funeral will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 11 a.m. from the PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St., followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at noon in St. Stanislaus Kostka Church. Burial will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. Calling hours are Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the St. Stanislaus Church or St. Stanislaus School through the funeral home. To leave a message of condolence, or for directions, please go online to www.apsfuneralhome.com.
Published by The Berkshire Eagle on May 7, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for John Maziarz

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26 Entries

John Cooney

August 5, 2019

Mr. Maziarz was a great teacher, mentor, and friend. He not only taught art, but common sense and life in general. He had his own memethodology and could leave a positive impression on anyone. You will be missed.

Tonya Lillie

June 3, 2008

Hello "DAD" the kids and I went to see you the other day, did you see Seth, what a werid-o..lol, I felt you looking down at us...I miss you so much, there is not a day that i dont think about you..Untill we meet again....I LOVE YOU

Tonya Lillie

May 21, 2008

John, i miss you so much and think about you EVERY day..
Until we meet again "DAD"
I LOVE YOU

Jack Stovel

May 11, 2008

John was a colleague and friend for years and years. Along the journey, he taught me many things, one of which was to expect the unexpected, and take things as they came. He inspired students and teachers to try new ideas, new ways of looking at old things. For this and his other gifts, I will always be grateful. Those who knew him will each miss him in their own way.

Diane Nichols

May 9, 2008

Maze was my supervisor during my time as a young and inexperienced music teacher at MGRHS 30 years ago. I will never forget his mentorship, honesty, and support. He was a wonderful teacher and a wonderful person, and I know he will be greatly missed.

Lindsay Neathawk (Janeczek)

May 9, 2008

"Miaz" was truely an inspiration to me , and I would not be a graphic artist today, if it wasn't for his generosity and guidence. He will be missed.

Rosemary M. Messer

May 9, 2008

A good person; a fine artist; a pleasure to know as a classmate of the class of '52. Sincere sympathy to his family and friends.

Rosemary Marshall Messer
05/09/08

Linda Baker-Cimini

May 8, 2008

John Maziarz made an indelible impression on me. He was a wonderful teacher, the first person to introduce me to the work of artists such as Klee, Bosch, etc...I always wondered if he actually ate those pig knuckles or if he just left the jar on his desk for the shock value.
My deepest sympathy to his family.

Judith MacNeil

May 8, 2008

I am profoundly sad to hear of his passing. I have thought of him often over the years and how much he has meant to my life.

Carole Myron

May 8, 2008

John was a really good person and a wonderful professional artist! He was my classmate, and was very well liked. The last reunion I attended, we sat at the same table and had a lot of fun. He was, also, very proud of his family. You and he will be in my prayers. My deepest sympathy.

Mary Garnish

May 8, 2008

I was a happy student of Mr. Maziarz, "Maze," while at Mt. Greylock. His support and enthusiasm was inspirational and his classroom was one that I always enjoyed spending time in. The school and the student body was fortunate to have such a teacher. Luckily his spirit lives on in his art and our memories.
Fondly,
Mary Garnish

Bob Dorgan

May 8, 2008

Sorry to hear of the passing of John. He will be greatly missed by the class
of 1952. John and I had many good
times together.

Vicki Zabawa

May 8, 2008

I am sorry to learn that the Adams High School Class of 1952 loses another member. My sincere sympathy to all his family.

Vicki (Piekos) Zabawa

Paul and Dee Garnish and family

May 8, 2008

Mr. Maziarz was an artist who was always a great mentor and teacher, as well as a friend. Our deepest sympathy to his family.

Kira Morrell (Guidon)

May 8, 2008

Maze was the most influential teacher I have ever had... my professors paled in comparison to his passion for art, message and teaching. I learned more in his classes about the person I was to work hard to become than any other time in my life. I have since established an art studio school which is based on the teaching methods and approaches I learned from him. I always wanted the opportunity to tell him that. I remember a Mt Greylock teacher saying that most art teachers were artists that "couldn't make it in the art world" but Maze was the one that did and chose to teach. He is missed... and we are blessed to have known him.

Tonya Lillile

May 8, 2008

John, i will NEVER forget you...and how much you did for me and my kids...you will be missed so much..I was over the house yesterday, talking to "sis" about all the memories, we know that you are WATCHING OVER ALL OF US!!! c-you on the other side "dad"...I love you always

Dennis Pinette

May 7, 2008

Tough and generous, that was Maze. The art room at Mt. Greylock in the early 60's was a sanctuary/pressure cooker. His painting in the Williams College collection, "Painting July, Green Green Green" still resonates as a primary influence. Art transcends all.
Thank you Maze for showing me the way.

Tammy Picard-Vallee

May 7, 2008

To the Maziarz Family,

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Maziarz. Mr. Maziarz (Maiz) as I called him was a wonderful teacher and friend. I will always remember those special classes with him. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

Claude Monet

May 7, 2008

We will miss you John. You were a true classic, the salt of the earth, the music of the spheres.

Joseph Mach

May 7, 2008

After years of saying "Mach, you're wasting all my paint" he admitted he liked my art and wished me well at the University when I went for my art degree.

Cheers, Maz.
To a great man and mentor.

Grace Aspinall

May 7, 2008

In the late 60s Mr. Maziarz brought an artist forum/workshop to Mount Greylock High School. Many young artists brought their work and several of the presentations were interactive. It was awesome and I remember many parts of it with fondness. What an awesome gift for the students and how "ahead of the 8 ball" was this wonderful teacher and artist. I certainly always thought he enjoyed life and it was wonderful to know him.

Myra Wilk

May 7, 2008

To the Maziarz Family,

I am sorry to read of John's passing. I always enjoyed seeing his work in the Town Hall Gallery and hearing from him the stories that went with each piece of art.

david livernois

May 7, 2008

John was a great artist and person. We enjoyed working with him at MGRHS.
Dave and Jan Livernois

jim hunter

May 7, 2008

John Maziarz was one of the great influences in my life, and a wonderful teacher. It is because of him that I developed an appreciation for, and understanding of art. The students of Mt. Greylock were fortunate to have him all those years.

Elliot Fenander

May 7, 2008

From Mt. Greylock Regional H.S.:

JOHN D. MAZIARZ
Artist-in-Residence Teacher 1961 – 1999

John Maziarz was a dynamic personality, artist, and teacher at Mount Greylock. A consummate storyteller as proud of his Polish heritage as he was fascinated by the New England countryside, he often imbued his landscapes with spiritual themes that included Russian icons, halos, and angels.

A passion for learning infused John’s teaching. He made long-dead artists come alive for his students and constantly explored connections to other disciplines in hundreds of slide presentations in English, math, history and science classes.

John followed no accepted guidelines for pedagogy. His room was cluttered, His manner was at times bombastic, at times laissez-faire, but always inspiring. Intolerant only of students who put little effort into their work, he would readily tell them that a drawing was unacceptable with a sharp expletive to drive home his point.

“Maze” gave his students freedom to discover their talents and their interests, and then helped them to refine their skills and to deepen their understanding.

John was a close friend. My prayers are with Lianne and Jeff.

Tammy Lillie

May 7, 2008

I helped take care of john while he was at Sprinside he was a wonderful man and a wonderful artist i was fornunute enough to see some of his art Tammy Lillie

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