William P. Hojnacki

  William P. Hojnacki, 75, of South Bend, passed away on Wednesday April 11, 2018 at Memorial Hospital. He was born on May 17, 1942, in South Bend, to the late Henry J. and Helen E. (Bryant) Hojnacki and was a lifelong area resident. On July 20, 1991 he married his wife Kathleen Hojnacki, who survives. Also surviving are his daughter, Elaine R. (Jason) Sack of Charleston, S.C., his son, Phillip B. Hojnacki of South Bend; two step-daughters, Molly K. Fisher of Mexico City and Katherine A. Fisher of Denver, CO; three step-sons, Andrew M. (Melissa) Fisher of Knoxville, TN, Mark R. (Bridget) Fisher of Evergreen, CO and Brendan H. Fisher of South Bend; four grandchildren, Aspen and Christopher Fisher and Mia and Griffin Sack; and by his sister, Linda (Charles) Wunsch of Charleston, SC. Bill graduated from South Bend Central High School class of 1960, where he played football. In 1966 he went on to graduate with a BA of Science from Western Michigan University. Bill then received his Masters and PhD from the University of Notre Dame in 1977. He taught as a Professor and was the Dean of SPEA for Indiana University South Bend from 1977 until retiring in 2006. He was a former member of the South Bend Community School Board, Northern Indiana Historical Society Board of Trustees and the South Bend Re-Development Commission. He is a member of the Board of Directors for Teachers Credit Union. Bill was an avid Notre Dame football fan and enjoyed reading, writing and talking politics, including many appearances in the South Bend Tribune's Voice of the People. Bill will be remembered for his love of his and Kathleen's cottage at Long Lake, where he could often be seen in a Captain's hat at the helm of his pontoon, grandchildren in tow. He enjoyed many a family celebration, including the rib roast, ice skating parties and the cousins's Christmas Eve parties. His love for travel took him and Kathleen on many trips overseas. He will be remembered also for his love of his community in South Bend and his leadership in the local Democratic Party. A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Dr., South Bend. Services follow at noon in the funeral home with entombment to take place at St. Joseph Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Foundation, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545-5234. To send online condolences, please visit www.kaniewski.com

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