Steven Eric Janko

JANKO, Captain (ret.) Steven Eric DMD, FAGD, MAGD Age 70, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, February 24th, 2021 (12 Adar 5781), after a brave and brief battle with COVID-19 pneumonia. Steven was born in Elmont, New York on February 9th, 1951 to his predeceased parents Mortimer and Pearl Janko. Steven graduated from Marblehead High School in 1969, and earned Bachelor's degrees in Biology and Chemistry at the University of Maine in 1973. He continued his studies at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, graduating near the top of his class in 1976. Among his numerous academic and professional honors and accolades, his scholarship from the United States Air Force was his most cherished. After completing his active and reserve duty as a Captain in the USAF, he was honorably discharged in 1983 and founded a private dental practice in Hopedale, MA where he worked for 35 years. He was beloved by his staff and took immense pride in restoring the health and lives of thousands of appreciative patients during his career. He was a member of the American Dental Association and earned Fellow and Master certifications from the Academy of General Dentistry. He was a lifelong teacher and learner, lighthearted, friendly, and quick with a joke. He treated everyone with respect and compassion, and he was a generous and dedicated father. He inspired all who met him in many ways, but perhaps most notably with his indefatigable optimism despite the chronic health issues that plagued the final years of his life. He is survived and lovingly remembered by his beshert and wife of 20 years, Kathie Janko (nee Skelton), as well as his son Matthew Janko and his wife Katelyn, daughter Kristen Janko and her husband Michael Giuliano, step-son Daniel Allen and his wife Lindsay, step-son Michael Allen and his wife Natalie, grandchildren Charlie, Haley and Lucas, elder brother Gary Janko and his wife Myra, younger brother Lee and his husband Phillip Mullen, and his large extended family and many friends across the country, especially the Sacks, Iskowitz, Mard, Englander, Waymouth, and Weinstein families. The family would like to express gratitude and recognize the tireless efforts of the entire faculty and staff of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, especially the Hepatology and Transplant Surgery services, the nurses and staff of Farr 10, and the intensive care unit for their grace and compassion at the end of his life. Due to Covid-19, private Graveside Services will not be held. A celebration of Steven's life with military honors will be held at a later date. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association (alz.org) or the American Diabetes Association (diabetes.org). For Guestbook please visit the Levine Chapels website or Legacy.com. Levine Chapels, Brookline 617-277-8300 www.levinechapel.com