LAUREL, Del.- Johnny Janosik is easily one of the most recognizable names on the Delmarva Peninsula, not only for creating the Johnny Janosik World of Furniture, but also for his philanthropy and community service. At the age of 90, surrounded by his family, Janosik passed away Friday night at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital.
Janosik's daughter Lori Janosik Morrison said that her father's legacy would be that of giving back.
"He never spent money on things for himself," she said. "I mean a lot of people at the store thought that he was a janitor. He would wear blue jeans and a flannel shirt. He'd be out there cutting the grass."
Janosik had humble beginnings, acting as the man of the house in Hopewell, Virginia, at the young age of 11.
"We hunted squirrels, rabbits, and then we went duck hunting down on the creeks, and a lot of kids hunt today with their dads, but we hunted to eat," Janosik told WBOC in an interview several years ago.
Janosik was determined to control his own destiny. He attended school and then in the summer of 1942, worked at a cannery in Laurel, Delaware. Janosik also served his country during World War II. Johnny met the love of his life, Mary Louise.
"I always knew I wanted to settle down and when I first met her, I thought, not bad," Janosik said.
Janosik worked as a TV repair man in the early 1950's before starting his own business in 1953. From TV service, it expanded to TV sales, appliances and eventually furniture. Eventually the business would move from downtown Laurel to a former chicken house on Route 13.
Janosik's grandson Ross Aviel Lugaso said he learned a great deal about compassion from his grandfather.
"He didn't just empathize," he said. "Because he had the success of this business, he utilized that as a resource to help him help others."
The business continued to grow and Janosik's desire to give back to his community did as well. Janosik volunteered at the Good Samaritan Aid Organization in Laurel, and every year raised money for the hope house, even funding the construction of two of those houses. And Johnny and Mary Louise began the Janosik Family Charitable Foundation to support local educational efforts. Johnny and Mary Louise were dedicated to ensuring everyone had their own shot at the American dream.
"If you want an hour of happiness take a nap. If you want a week of happiness take a vacation. But if you want a lifetime of happiness help someone else.
Current CEO David Koehler said that the company has grown tremendously because of Janosik's actions.
"Johnny was a dreamer and I said a visionary," said CEO David Koehler. "And Mary Janosik, his wife was always the one that kind of made sure things happened on the backside. But Johnny would get the hammer and a shovel and run out the door. And start a project. And Mary would be on the backside making sure that the bills got payed and things ran the way they should."
Janosik's funeral is set for Thursday in Sussex County. In lieu of flowers, contributions are requested to be sent to: Good Samaritan Shop, PO Box 643, Laurel, DE 19956.
If you want to watch our full interview with Johnny Janosik, click here.
