William Janssen, 88
William J. Janssen, a resident of Rockville Centre for more than 50 years, died early in the morning on Nov. 20 at St. Francis Hospital. He was 88. He was the devoted husband of Agnes, who died earlier this year.
Janssen grew up in Whitestone and attended St. Luke’s School until he was drafted at the age of 17 into the Army. He spent four years at Ford Ord in the Monterey Bay area of California. After an Honorable Discharge, he attended George Washington University thanks to the GI Bill and graduated with a degree in international financed.
Upon returning home to Whitestone, he found a job with TWA Airlines, where he worked for 40 years. He retired as the Supervising Manager of Flight Relations. He was loved by all who knew him at his home away from home, Hanger 12 at JFK Airport.
Janssen enjoyed traveling with his family and spent many summers at his cottage in Mastic Beach. He was a lifetime member of the Mastic Beach Property Owners Association.
He was a member of St Agnes Cathedral, where he was an usher, and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He participated in the Boy Scouts with his sons and went on several camping trips in the Bear Mountain area.
He enjoyed nature, both animals and plant life. He especially enjoyed visiting the fresh produce farms on eastern Long Island. His summers were spent with his family fishing, boating and swimming at their cottage.
Janssen was the devoted father of Dorothy A. (Jeffrey) Smoller, William, Edward and Harry (Deborah); grandfather of Marissa, Jessica and Joseph; uncle of Arthur, Margaret, Maria, Thomas, Judy, Karen, John, Kevin, John, Charles and a great uncle to seven.
