John Michael Kijak Jr.

John Michael Kijak, Jr., 71, of Springfield, passed away on January 4, 2022. He was born in Springfield on June 28, 1949, the son of the late John M. and Beulah G. (Dinan) Kijak. John was educated in the Springfield School System, graduating from Putnam Vocational High School, Class of 1965. John proudly served our country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War .He worked for many years as a Springfield Police Officer retiring in 1989. He loved deep-sea fishing, card games, and was also co-owner of sis ceramics. He loved spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandkids! He will be deeply missed by everyone who had the chance to know him.… John is survived by his wife Clara (Ledgerwood) Kijak of Springfield, his three children John Kijak III and his wife Fatima of Chicopee, Kevven Kijak and his wife Karyn of Haymarket, VA., and Shana Brown and her husband Matthew of East Longmeadow, a sister Donna L Kijak of Springfield and Nephew Charles Howard and longtime friend Ruthe Jubinville of Greenfield, MA., and he leaves nine grandchildren, Mackenzie A Sumwalt-Kijak of Springfield, MA., Katelyn A Kijak of Holyoke MA., Kerrighan A Kijak of Chicopee MA., Landon R Kijak of Virginia, Weston H Kijak of Virginia, Rylee G Brown of East Longmeadow, MA., Braydon M Brown, of East Longmeadow, MA., Grayson J Kijak of Virginia, Hunter D. Brown of East Longmeadow, MA. All services and military honors will be held privately.