Jan A. Baclawski, formerly of Vineyard Haven, died peacefully at home in Beacon Falls, Conn., on Jan. 3, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous four-year battle with myleodisplasia and leukemia. He was 66.

He was born in Holyoke, the son of the late John and Casmira Baclawski. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in chemical engineering in 1963.

He lived in Connecticut for 37 years while working for the Uniroyal Chemical Company, both in Naugatuck and Middlebury, Conn.

He was an avid fisherman who also enjoyed clamming, ballroom dancing and traveling. He loved spending time with his family and many friends in Connecticut, Florida and on the Vineyard.

After their retirement in 2000, Jan and his wife Rosemary moved to their home on the Vineyard. They returned to Connecticut recently to be near family.

In addition to his wife Jan is survived by his son Scott and daughter in law Sandra Baclawski of Watertown, Conn.; his daughters Beth Dempsey of Bristol, Conn., Ann Vitelli and her husband Joseph of Walpole; stepchildren Jim (Kelly) Forsyth Jr. of Seymour, Conn., Kara Rodriguez and her husband John of Shelton, Conn., a brother, Vincent Baclawski and his wife Nancy of Annapolis, Md.; eight grandchldren, Kristen and Lauren Baclawski of Watertown, Conn., Jocelyn and Brianna Vitelli of Walpole, Jessica and Jennifer Forsyth of Seymour, Conn. and Amanda and Michael Rodriguez of Shelton, Conn. He also leaves an aunt, Cecile Patryn, a niece, nephew, several great nephews and many cousins. He was predeceased by a brother, Donald Baclawski of Racine, Wisc.

Funeral services were held on Jan. 6 followed by a mass of Christian burial in the Church of the Assumption.

Donations may be made in his memory and in his name to the Myleodisplasia Foundation to help further research.