Steven Janusz
A message from Vinny Marcroft about one of our former Captains:
I can tell you plenty about Steve Janusz. A tragic tale.
He joined the club in July 1988 after retiring from playing Rugby Union. He was a brilliant scrum half who played for Lancashire, alongside the likes of Bill Beaumont, Tony Neary and Dewi Morris. He played in trial matches for England, but wasn’t selected for any internationals.
On retiring from rugby, he wanted to take up golf and joined Heaton Park Golf Club where he progressed to play off 10 handicap. He later joined the committee, where his business experience proved very useful. In 1998 he was elected as Vice-Captain. He was a very popular captain and played with as many members as he could, in the days when our membership was over 200. Rodney Hemingway may have more things to say about him, as Steve nominated Rodney to be his Vice-Captain.
Steve was a fitness fanatic and didn’t drive. His good friend and fellow member, Frank Massey used to pick him up and take him home for his golf. He used to do lots of walking. In fact, he would walk to Manchester and back to Bury each day, to and from work.
On Nov 11th 1999, Steve was walking home from work as usual, but when he got to the police station in Cheetham Hill, he went in and asked the sargeant to get him an ambulance as he didn’t feel well and was struggling breathing, but before the ambulance arrived, Steve had a massive heart attack and passed away in the police station, the ambulance crew being unable to revive him. He was only 49.
It was such a shock, as Steve didn’t smoke or drink alcohol. I’d played with him on a club outing to Marland on Nov 6th and I think I was the last person he presented a prize to. We had planned to play at Didsbury that day but it was cancelled due to flooding there.
As far as I know, Steve Janusz is the only Captain from Heaton Park to have died in his year of office. Some members were in tears when they heard the news and his funeral was well attended, where I gave a speech at the Jewish cemetery on Butterstile Lane, Prestwich. Steve had a catholic mother and a Jewish father. What a combination! His Jewish name was Abraham and that is the name I used to address the mourners.
He was also greatly missed by his employers, a housing company called Anchor Trust. They payed for a clock and a plaque in his memory, that are both on the wall of the club, opposite the bar. I replaced the battery in the clock only a few months ago. I would ask that someone keeps an eye on that to ensure it is always working.
Steve won several honour board competitions and his name is visible on lots of them. I can tell you very sincerely, that he was greatly missed, and a depression hung over the club for several months because of it. The Steven Janusz Trophy was introduced as a mark of respect for Steves’ memory. R.I.P. Steve Janusz.
Vinny Marcroft.