Edward Walter Zajac

NEW BEDFORD - Edward Walter Zajac, 94, of New Bedford and Acushnet, MA, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2023. Born in New Bedford to Katherine and Walter Zajac on October 12, 1928, “Ed” was a jovial, loving, and dedicated father and husband who always put his family’s needs before his own. He grew up in the south end of New Bedford where he enjoyed entertaining beach-goers as an acrobat with his friends. After serving in the military as a carpenter to officers, he spent his professional life as a house painter, but preferred woodworking and engineering challenges. He loved to build things to solve problems or to provide joy, like boats, storage boxes, a pop-up shop for his daughter to sell his wife’s dolls, luxury pet hotels for his daughter’s pets, home renovation projects and additions, and even a building for his wife to sell her creations. But perhaps most important to him was helping his daughters and spending time with them. When he wasn’t working, he could always be found quietly watching his daughter’s baseball, softball, and volleyball games and musical performances, taking her on adventures like fishing, swimming, hiking, Red Sox games, and trips to museums and zoos throughout New England, and consulting/teaching his children how to swim, skate, do gymnastics, climb roofs, build things, conduct home repairs, wallpaper, paint, etc. In his later years, he loved listening to stories about his children’s and grandchildren’s adventures and grand-dogs’ Obedience and Rally competitions.

He leaves behind his daughters Kathy Zajac Schaw (Bob), of Williston, Vermont and Robin Botelho (John), of Lakeville, MA, grandson Zachary Schaw of Gorham, ME, granddaughters Jessica (Brodeur) Casey (Josh) and Debi Boucher Andrews (Mingo) and great-grandchildren Zachary Andrews, Charlotte Casey, and Jaxon Casey of Wareham, MA. He is predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Dorothy Zajac and her son Robert Brodeur (Diane, surviving), his brother, Michael and his sister, Mary, and grandson Roger Boucher.

Per the family’s wishes, there will be no visiting hours or services held, but a celebration of life gathering will take place at a later date. Please share memories and condolences, at www.rock-funeralhome.com