Obituary of AJ Janosko

Andrew “A.J.” T. Janosko, formerly of Farrell, Pa., passed away unexpectedly Monday, June 23, 2014, from injuries sustained in a terrible fall while vacationing with his family in Seaside, Fla. He was 45. He was born Aug. 9, 1968, in Sharon, Pa., one of four children born to Andrew and Dolores Kapurik Janosko. A.J. was raised in Farrell and was a 1986 graduate of Farrell High School, where he was a four-year letterman for the Farrell Steelers volleyball team. He was an All-American setter for the 1986 Farrell State Championship team and one of the nation’s best setters. A.J. was honored in his senior year to have been selected by Volleyball Monthly as one of their “Fabulous 50,” making him one of the nation’s most elite players. A tremendous athlete, he was awarded a volleyball scholarship to attend George Mason University, where he still holds the all-time individual record for 1,951 assists, or 8.99 per game. In his junior year at George Mason, his team made it to the final four. He graduated in 1991, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration. He was employed at PMMI, Reston, Va., as their Director of Expositions. He was well-respected in the trade show and exposition industry and the association community for his integrity, humility, compassion, and commitment to hard work. Some of his previous employments were with SPI: The Plastics Industry Association, Washington, D.C.; BD Metrics, Inc., McLean, Va.; Telecommunications Industry Association, Arlington, Va.; GES Exposition Services, Washington D.C.; and Convention Management Group, Fairfax, Va. Mr. Janosko held memberships with Major American Trade Show Organizers (MATSO), IAEE, the Chicago Labor Management Council, the Chicago Customer Advisory Council and the Atlanta Customer Advisory Council. In the wake of his untimely death, A.J. was an organ donor. His generosity and selflessness has helped to save five others’ lives. He was active as a volunteer with the Falls Church Little League, and he belonged to St. James Catholic Church in Falls Church. He was also a member of First Catholic Slovak Union, Jednota Branch 153, and was a former member of St. Ann’s Church, Farrell. A.J. loved people and, above all, was a loving husband, father, son, and brother. He loved a good round of golf and rooting for his Pittsburgh Steelers. His wife of 11 years, the former Tracy Barrett, whom he married on Feb. 15, 2003, survives at home. He also leaves two sons, Andrew (age nine) and Jackson (age seven) Janosko, also at home; his parents, Andrew and Dolores Janosko of Farrell; his brother, Brian “B.J.” Janosko and his wife, Jodi, of Falls Church; two sisters, Karen Sciortino and her husband, David, of Boardman and Deborah Sormaz and her husband, Nikola, of Sharon, Pa. Also mourning are countless friends, extended family and anyone lucky enough to have met him. He was preceded in death by both his paternal and maternal grandparents. In lieu of flowers, his family suggests that anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution in his memory, to please consider the A.J. Janosko Education Trust, to benefit the future education of his sons, and this can be done online at www.ajjanoskoeducationtrust.org. Calling hours will be held Tuesday from 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. at the Advent Funeral & Cremation Services, 7211 Lee Hwy., Falls Church, VA. Services and Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 2 p.m. in St. James Catholic Church, 905 Park Ave., Falls Church.