On the Memorial Day morning of 2017, Edmund Joseph Janas,Sr. of Springfield, MA, went home to Glory. Born on July, 27, 1921 to Walter Janas and Cecilia Dudek Janas of Poland. He had one brother who predeceased him, Stanislaw Dudek who died in Poland. He was baptized and received his First Communion at Mater Dolorosa, He was a graduate of Mater Dolorosa Elementary and Holyoke Trade, 1938. He came to be known as "Frank", "Pops", "Pop" and "Poppa" and he fell asleep peacefully beside his son Joey at Baystate Hospital. Edmund Sr. was a veteran of World War II and decorated with the Double Bronze Star and Oak Leaf Cluster for bravery in combat. He served in North Africa and Italy. It was the perfect day for a soldier to return home. Mr. Janas was the long-time proprietor of Shorty's Newsroom, in Holyoke MA where he met the love of his life, Coreatha Westbrook Janas. They worked side-by-side together and helped raise a host of children and grandchildren in Springfield, MA. Pop told jokes on the radio on Saturday mornings and they lived happily together until her death in 1986. He leaves behind his son and caregiver, Joey and a host of children and grandchildren including LaChrista, Obediah, Sabrina, Valdorise, Alonzo, Adrilla, Richard and Lorenzo. Pop enjoyed the Red Sox and rooted with them for 76 years without losing faith, and he lived to see them win the World Series, twice! In addition to the Sox, Pop enjoyed watching Empire, playing his harmonica to lift the spirits of others, oil painting and spending time with his cat Sheba and his goldfish. He loved Polish cuisine, classic movies, Polka music and Soul Food. Pop always wore a smile and had a sunny disposition, even in the midst of personal battles. He enjoyed good health most of his life, and managed to avoid doctors until the end. Pop could not have managed without his loving caregivers; Jennifer, Jeanilize, Elena, Karen, Jessica, Jacky, and Deloris as well as the company of good friends like Shirley, Mr. Bloom, Angel, Karen and Sh'Ron. He lived happily surrounded by good neighbors who always looked out for him. Pop prayed the Rosary daily during the war at his mother's request, which he said got him through WWII safely. Pop was a faithful man, walking nearly every day to see his mother in a nursing home in South Hadley after he closed his newsroom in Holyoke, for three years. He also stayed faithful to his beloved wife Coreatha in sickness and in health. He always said: "Cherish your Mother" and he did just that, first for his mother, and then for ours. Service will be held at Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home in Holyoke, MA on Thursday June, 8th 8:30am - 9:30am followed by Funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Cross, in Holyoke, MA at 10am He will be layed to rest beside his mother at Mater Dolorosa Cemetary in South Hadley, MA Women may choose to wear blue and white in honor of the Virgin Mary. And Children may bring a balloon to release. In lieu of flowers, send a donation to Greater Senior Services and of Springfield, MA to help housebound elders. "Love never dies," - Pop