Joseph W. Oleynik

Joseph W. Oleynik, DMD
Joseph W. Oleynik, DMD, 101, of Shelton, CT, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 27, 2024. Joseph was born on August 27, 1923, in Derby. He was the son of the late Joseph and Hedvika (Strnkova) Oleynik. Joe lived the American dream. Both of his parents were relatively new arrivals in the U.S. from what is now the Czech Republic. Having left Europe with the storm of World War I brewing, they came to make a new life for themselves, and better prospects for the future. Born into an immigrant household, Joe did not speak any English when he arrived at school for the beginning of first grade. But, he was a quick learner, who set out on a new world of adventure with curiosity, charm, and sparkling blue eyes. Joe graduated from Shelton High School in 1941, where he was the captain of the basketball team, a member of the glee club, and voted most popular. He went to work for the war effort, building airplanes at the Chance Vought Corporation factory in Stratford, CT. But not content with just building them, Joe enlisted so he could fly them. A World War II-era Navy veteran, Joe served as an aircraft carrier-based pilot, flying Grumman Wildcats and Hellcats. After his military service, Joe attended the University of Connecticut and graduated from Tufts Dental School in 1953. Joe returned to his hometown of Shelton to settle down. He started a dental practice and married the love of his life. Together, he and Bea worked in a true partnership to raise four children and run the dental office. While Bea was there to manage the kids and help keep the dental business on track, Joe mastered his dental skills and his chairside charm --on his own at first, and then from 1984, with his son, Ken. Joe, or "Doctor Joe," as he was known to his patients, was devoted to delivering caring service and quality care to his patients. Practicing from 1953 to 2013, he holds the distinction of being one of the longest serving dentists in the state of Connecticut. He loved his work, and well into his 90s could be found discussing dental techniques with the other dentists in the family –his son, Ken, and his grandkids, Colleen and Ryan.
A lifelong member of the Highland Golf Club in Shelton, he was a skilled and passionate golfer and played into his nineties. Amongst his golf accomplishments were a number of Highland and other course championships, as well as five hole-in-ones over the course of his career. He was golf-obsessed until the end, and was still practicing his putting at age 99, just in case he could make it back out on the course the next summer. He was also an enthusiastic skier. He started skiing when he was 9 or 10 years old on the hill behind the old Sunnyside School, but broke his arm when he switched from barrel stays to his friend's much faster store-bought skis. But, he didn't give up. At age 40, he restarted his ski career because he thought it would be a great activity to do with his kids. He not only skied with his children, but he also skied with his grandchildren until age 81. Joe was an enthusiastic lover of the outdoors and an avid supporter of Scouting. He shepherded his sons through Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and served at times as Assistant Scoutmaster and in any other role that was needed. He took the family camping on vacations and loved exploring beyond the campground on long bike rides with the kids. Joe was a life-long member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Shelton and devoted his time and money to the church community. He served on the parish and school councils, as well as volunteered for many church events.
Joe's sunny nature and upbeat attitude will be sorely missed. He was always positive and certain the task at hand could and would be completed. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 61 years, Beatrice (Zamecnik), as well as his parents, and sister, Mary Goggi. He is survived by his four children, David (Leslie) of Derwood, MD, Ken (Joann) of Woodbridge, CT, Ron (Nancie) of Arlington, VA, Deb of Denver, CO; and his adored grandchildren, who added much joy to his life: Haley (Nick), Colleen (Jonathan), Shannon (Ian), Nina (Charlie), Joseph and Ryan. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews; as well as his caregiver, Dorota Majewska, who provided dedicated and compassionate care for the last eight years.
The family will receive friends at Riverview Funeral Home, 390 River Rd., Shelton, CT, on Friday, October 11, 2024, 5:00-8:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, October 12, at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph Church, 50 Fairmont Pl., Shelton, CT. Burial will follow in Mt. St. Peter Cemetery, Derby. To leave online condolences, please visit www.riverviewfh.com .