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Kenneth Zajic Obituary
Kenneth Ulon Zajic (age 83) of Silver Spring, MD, passed away peacefully on 12/12/2017 surrounded by the love of his family. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Lois (Lipman) Zajic; his sons Joseph (Amy), Aaron (Andrea), and David (Naomi); and his grandchildren Benjamin, Jennifer, and Ethan. After graduating from the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in 1953, Ken was hired by the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company as an apprentice draftsman. While working full-time, he attended night school at the Johns Hopkins University, earning a BS in Electrical Engineering (1962) and an MS in Operations Research (1965). During his 43-year career with BG&E, Ken held positions ranging from Draftsman to District Engineer for Harford County. He also held several Corporate Directorships, including Operations Analysis, Training and Development, Management Development and Compensation, and Employment. From 1953 to 1968, Ken also served in the 29th Infantry Division of the Maryland National Guard, achieving the rank of Sergeant First Class. Ken was a strong believer in civic and community involvement. He served for many years on the Board of the Hebrew Free Loan Association of Baltimore, and held positions at Beth Israel Congregation along with several other local civic organizations. Ken also managed the Beth Israel Mikro Kodesh cemetery for many years, where he led the modernization of its operation and finances to ensure its continued viability. After retiring, Ken and Lois moved from Baltimore to Leisure World in Silver Spring to be closer to their children's families. There, Ken continued to take leadership roles in the community, including three years as President of the Condominium Association. Most recently, Ken served two terms as a Commissioner with the Montgomery County Commission on Common Ownership Communities. In addition to his professional and community roles, Ken had many personal interests. He was an avid reader, a student of Jewish philosophy, and a regular concert-goer to his adult children's performances. He pursued his model railroad hobby, participating for many years in the Leisure World Train Club. And even after his move to Silver Spring, Ken returned to Baltimore regularly to play golf with his long-time golfing buddies. He shared his enthusiasm for Maryland cuisine during many lunches and dinners with friends and family. Most of all, Ken was devoted to his family. He was fondly known as a "project" person to his wife, sons and neighbors. Together, they tackled improvements in their Randallstown home, such as a finished basement, a huge backyard shed, and two large raised gardens. He coached his sons' little league teams, supported their music lessons, and attended every game and concert. He sponsored the annual family beach week each August at Bethany Beach, often including the grandchildrens' friends. Services at SOL LEVINSON & BROS., INC., 8900 Reisterstown Road, at Mount Wilson Lane, on Thursday, December 14, at 11:00 am. Interment immediately following at Mikro Kodesh Beth Israel Cemetery. In mourning at 9111 Sudbury Road, Silver Spring. Receiving from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Thursday, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Saturday, 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Sunday. Minyan services at 7:00 PM on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Kenneth Zajic may be made to the American Cancer Society (donate.cancer.org) or the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute Foundation (www.bpi.edu/donate)
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Memories and Condolences
for Kenneth Zajic
Sponsored by The Baltimore Sun.
Joan E. Hellman
December 8, 2024
Lois and family-- so sorry to hear about Ken. I know he loved his family. My thoughts are with you all. Joan Hellman
December 20, 2017
Lois,
I was deeply saddened when I heard that your beloved Ken had passed away. As a co-worker and friend at "BG&E" Kenny and I shared many good times together. From the "map Group" with Sam Carrick, and on into our mutual retirements he was always the smiling face and happy friend. We will all miss him.
My deepest sympathies to you and your family on his loss. Mat he rest in eternal peace.
Sincerely,
Howard Seeger
1904 Munsey Drive
Forest Hill, Md. 21050
410-893-4622
Ted Berzinski
December 18, 2017
Lois and family--Ken was a man of great character and a wonderful mentor to me in my early years as a professional. The lessons he taught me impact me even now, and I'd tell my students about Ken and the wisdom he shared with me. I'm praying for you all.
Ted Berzinski
December 18, 2017
Dear Lois and the Zajic Family.
I as deeply sorry and saddened for the loss of your wonderful husband Ken. May God comfort and keep you safe and secure during this sorrowful time. All of our prayers are with you here at The Children's Guild.
Sincerely,
Dee Frayer
Kenneth U. Zajic
Rand H. Fishbein, Ph.D.
December 17, 2017
We Remember Ken...
Ken was a much-valued member of the Montgomery County Commission on Common
Ownership Communities (CCOC) where he served with distinction from 2011-2017. His
contributions to the work of the Commission extended across all of its mission areas
including the Education, Legislation, Process and Procedures and Interview Committees
as well as projects involving Outreach and Advocacy. Ken was an ardent volunteer,
always willing to participate as a resident member of the Commission's quasi-judicial
hearing panels. Several of these panels returned landmark decisions that will continue to
influence policies in common ownership communities across the County for years to
come.
On July 22, 2017 Ken, along with two former Commission colleagues, received the CCOC
Blue Flame Award for Distinguished Service to the Commission and the County.
Ken never shied away from difficult or controversial issues. Often, it was his voice that
was the first and last to be heard during monthly meetings of the Commission. After
many of his colleagues would exhaust themselves debating a particular point of law or
policy, Ken would weigh in with his characteristic self-effacing, but probative style,
turning the matter on its head and challenging everyone in the room with an analysis of
the pending question that they never had considered. As Ken frequently observed, his
training as an engineer taught him to think out-of-the-box when others often tended
towards the obvious linear solution to a problem. He enjoyed stress testing every
argument and applying what in the Jewish tradition is known as pilpul, the Talmudic
term used to describe a rhetorical process that the Sages used to parse legal texts and
formulate decisions.
Ken was a fierce champion for good governance in administration and cared deeply for
the well-being of those who live in condominiums, homeowner associations and
cooperatives. He believed that everyone, regardless of their position, was due fair and
honest treatment by boards of directors as they applied their communities' bylaws for the
benefit of all.
Ken understood that education, coupled with common sense, transparency and
accountability in leadership, were essential elements in the promotion of harmony in
communities. The CCOC, he believed, had a central role to play in in this effort. By
providing a wide array of quality programs in management best practices, communities
could be strengthened, conflicts between residents and boards could be more quickly
resolved or averted, and property values could be enhanced. So committed was Ken to
the CCOC and its mission, that after the County passed a law in 2016 requiring
mandatory training for all Commissioners, Ken took up the challenge and drafted the first
course of its kind in the state.
Ken was born and raised in Baltimore. He earned both his BSE ('62) and MS ('65)
degrees from The Johns Hopkins University. Much of Ken's professional career was spent
as a registered engineer working for the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company. Ken and
his wife moved to The Greens at Leisure World in 2004, where he quickly became
involved in the governance of the condominium and later served as a member of the
Board of Directors as well as several committees. For three years he led The Greens as
its president before taking up the mantle as an alternate member of the Leisure World
Community Corporation Board of Directors. While in this position, he focused his time on
three standing advisory committees: Budget & Finance, Community Planning, and
Energy Conservation, serving as chairman of the latter two. In addition, he was a
member of a special committee which developed Leisure World's internal dispute
resolution policy and process.
May Ken's memory forever be for a blessing and may the good works that defined his life
continue to be a model and source of inspiration for those touched by his spirit.
In sorrow and deepest respect,
Rand H. Fishbein, Ph.D.
Chair, Montgomery County Commission on Common Ownership Communities
On behalf of the Commissioners, Panel Chairs and Staff of the CCOC
Mrs. Lynch
December 14, 2017
My sincere condolences to family and friends. May the God who binds up the brokenhearted and comforts all who mourn, sustain your family during this difficult time - Isaiah 61:1, 2.
December 14, 2017
Lois and family-- My thoughts are with you all. Ken was a wonderful father, husband, and community leader. Hope you can all support each other as he would want you to do. Joan Hellman
December 14, 2017
May the God of all comfort strengthen the family during this time of deep sorrow. Those who pass on, God keeps in his memory because they are precious in his eyes. My sincerest condolences. (Psalms 116:15)
Ms
December 14, 2017
To the family of Kenneth Zajic I would like to expess my condolences to you and may you recieve the comfort that God can give as He put his right hand out to you Isa.41:10.13
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Memorial Events
for Kenneth Zajic
Dec
14
Memorial Gathering
5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
9111 Sudbury Road
Silver Spring, MD
Dec
14
Dec
14
Service
7:00 p.m.
9111 Sudbury Road
Silver Spring, MD
Dec
14
Interment
Mikro Kodesh Beth Israel Cemetery
MD
Dec
16
Memorial Gathering
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
9111 Sudbury Road
Silver Spring, MD
Dec
17
Memorial Gathering
12:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
9111 Sudbury Road
Silver Spring, MD
Funeral services provided by:
Sol Levinson & Bros - Pikesville8900 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208
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