Andy Zajac, Former Local Teacher, Lions Club Member

Andy Zajac Was Raised On A New Jersey Dairy Farm; Spent 55 Years In Alaska 

Andy Zajac died on January 14, 2025 at the age of 82. His death was sudden and due to natural causes.

Andy was a cherished member of his Alaska communities, and will be deeply missed by family, friends, and neighbors. He lived in Alaska for more than 55 years and lived in Eagle River for the past 21 years, and before that in Copper Center, Noatak and Kenny Lake.

A desire for adventure brought Andy and his beloved wife, Sue, and their two daughters to Alaska from Indiana in 1969. They had secured teaching positions  just as the Alaska Pipeline construction was being planned.

They fell in love with wilderness and beauty of the state, and the amazing friends they made along the way.

Andy will be remembered for his generosity, kindness, humor, quick wit and great writing skills. You couldn't ask for a better husband, father, grandfather or great-grandfather.

For Andy, Alaska inspired a sense of awe with its stunning grandeur. He felt proud and privileged to live in such a wonderful plance. He loved hunting, fishing, going on mountain snowmachine excursions, harvesting salmon from his fishwheel, and the great sense of freedom that living in Alaska gave him. In his later years, maintaining his raspberry patch and apple trees gave him great joy. Bottling his famous raspberry cordial became his passion and he gifted it and shared it often which added a special touch to any gathering, especially on Christmas morning.

Andy was born in New Jersey on October 25, 1942, and was raised on the family dairy farm. His parents had immigrated from Czechoslovakia, and his first language was Slovak. He was a natural athlete, lettering in baseball and football at Hunterdon Central High School. He earned a scholarship to Franklin College in Indiana and majored in psychology while playing both football and baseball as a starter.

College is where he met and fell in love with his wife Sue. They married and taught school for five years in Columbus, Indiana before moving to Alaska. Andy received his master's degree in education from Indiana University and taught fifth through eighth grades while also serving as the principal teacher at Kenny Lake, Noatak and Copper Center. He was dedicated to teaching students, and he made the school year fun by orchestrating school plays and fairs, leading playground sports, coaching the hockey team and so much more. He also had leadership roles with the teachers' association.

He joined the Copper Basin Lions Club over 40 years ago and prepared fish for the Salmon Bake fundraiser in Glennallen on the 4th of July. Andy was also a member of the Czech Alaska Club.

He was preceded in death by his wife Sue, in June 2023, parents Albert and Helen Zajac, and his brother Albert. He is survived by daughter Angie (Stephen), Jenny (Jorg) and grandsons Patrick (Jeniffer), Max and Flynn, and great granddaughter Madelynne. 

A memorial service will be held at 10:45 am February 3rd at the Crossing Church, 22208 Birchwood Loop in Chugiak with a reception to follow at Corks and Hops in Eagle River. You can make donations in his name to the Copper Basin Lions Club at Box 146 in Glennallen or to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation at t2t.org. 

Janssens Eagle River Funeral Home