Kenneth Palczewski

Kenneth J. Palczewski, 58, of Wayne, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, April 10, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family.

The son of Leonard and the late Rosemarie Palczewski, Ken was born in Elizabeth, NJ, and raised in Avenel, NJ. He graduated with the Class of 1984 from Colonia High School, where he was a standout athlete—quarterbacking the football team, pitching for the baseball team, and playing forward on the basketball team. Standing six feet, seven inches tall, Ken was a true force on every field and court he played on.

Ken went on to attend La Salle University in Philadelphia, PA, where he played basketball and initially pursued a degree in economics, to then obtain a law degree upon graduation. During college, a life-changing week spent volunteering at a camp for children battling cancer shifted the course of his life. Inspired and moved, he changed his focus from law to education.

After graduating from La Salle, Ken began his career in education with a year of teaching in the Woodbridge Public School System. He then spent six years at Manchester Regional High School in Haledon, NJ, teaching Social Studies and coaching football, basketball, and softball. In 1998, he joined Wayne Valley High School as a teacher in the history department, coaching the girls’ basketball and softball teams all while pursuing his master’s degree in counseling at William Paterson University. He then transitioned from teaching to guidance counseling and later served as dean of students at Schuyler-Colfax Middle School after earning his master’s in Educational Leadership and Administration. Eventually, he became a vice principal at Wayne Hills High School. In 2013, he returned to Wayne Valley as principal—a role he cherished and held until his passing.

Ken was passionate about his work and took great pride in being part of the Wayne Valley community. He often said he loved every minute of it. He appreciated the unique energy of each day and the richness of the school environment. His “my door is always open” approach created a welcoming atmosphere for both students and staff. He found joy in the little things—like the student who visited his office daily to share a clever joke.

Ken met the love of his life, Maureen Donohue, at the Parker House in Sea Girt, NJ, a chance encounter that led to not only their love story, but six other marriages as well. Ken and Maureen’s romance blossomed quickly, engaged on St. Patrick’s Day of 1995, then later married in a picturesque beach ceremony in Barbados on Wednesday, August 14th, 1996.They began married life in a cozy home at 4 Sycamore Terrace in Wayne where they welcomed both of their beloved children Peter and Brenna before settling into their current residence in 2003. Over the years, Ken immersed himself in the Wayne community—not just during school hours but through coaching both his children in youth sports, his school’s extracurricular activities, and sporting events. If he wasn’t at school, he was likely at the Passaic County Golf Course, where he served as Co-President of the Elm Tree Golf Club and enjoyed early Sunday tee times with close friends.

Above all, Ken’s greatest joy was his family. Maureen was his partner, his soulmate. Together they raised two children, Peter and Brenna, who were the light of his life. Spring break trips became cherished traditions—from Disney vacations during their early years as a family to more recent getaways to Hilton Head, where Ken would golf and Maureen would relax with a good book. Through their shared love of sports as a family, Ken never missed a game in either of Peter or Brenna’s athletic careers. When Peter became a football coach to follow in his father’s footsteps, Ken and Maureen traveled to support him at games, often tailgating and listening to the classics. Evenings around the fire pit with Maureen, Peter, Brenna, and Amanda, sometimes with a glass of bourbon in hand, brought quiet moments of connection and laughter.

During his nine-month battle with cancer, Ken remained strong, optimistic, and uncomplaining. Every day was a fight—motivated by his desire to spend just a little more time with the people he loved most.

Ken will be remembered for so many things: his love of life and living in the moment, his eloquence and wit, his gift for storytelling, his loyalty, his generosity, and above all, his boundless heart.

He is survived by his loving wife of almost 30 years, Maureen (Donohue) Palczewski; his dearly-loved children, Peter Palczewski of Albany, NY, and Brenna Palczewski of Wayne; his father, Leonard Palczewski; his sister, Donna Garcia, and her husband Evelio, of Doylestown, PA; and his niece and nephews: Joshua Garcia and wife Laura, Alec Garcia, Bradley Garcia and fiancée Olivia, Ben Garcia, Catherine Dixon, and Sean Dixon. He was predeceased by his mother, Rosemarie Palczewski, in 2008.

Memorial Contributions

In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Ken’s lifelong devotion to his students, a scholarship fund has been established in his memory. Contributions may be sent to:

Ken Palczewski Scholarship Fund

c/o Lucy Couso

Wayne Valley High School

551 Valley Road

Wayne, NJ 07470

Please make checks out to Ken Palczewski Scholarship Fund.