Herman J. Janus, musician
Herman J. Janus, 79, of North Tonawanda, formerly of Amherst and Clarence, a musician for more than 60 years, died Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007.

Janus

Born in Buffalo, Mr. Janus graduated from St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute in 1945. After spending some time at Canisius College, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and was sent to Germany. He met and married Margot Brunner, and they remained in Germany for two years before returning to the United States.

Mr. Janus began his musical career as a young man, playing in many local venues in Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Canada. He was an accomplished musician, whose group was known as "The Beachcombers." His instruments were percussion, keyboards, accordion and trombone. He also taught music at Slater's Music Store.

Mr. Janus later became president of Local 209, which then merged with Local 106 and became The Greater Niagara Musicians Local 106-209 of the American Federation of Musicians.

His family said he was a friend and mentor of professional musicians and was also knowledgeable and able to interpret the guidelines of the American Federation of Musicians.

Mr. Janus served as secretary and business agent for the Niagara Musicians and was recently elected secretary of the New York State Conference. He also produced summer concerts in the parks in the Niagara region.

Mr. Janus retired from Occidental Chemical, Durez Division, where he was a production scheduler.

He was a member of St. Albert the Great Church and was a third-degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Madonna Council; a member of Stephen Sikora Post 1322, American Legion; and belonged to the Elks.

His first wife, Margot Brunner Janus, died in 1997.

Mr. Janus is survived by his second wife of 10 years, the former Dianne Ledoux; three sons, Lutz, Claude and Timothy; three stepdaughters, Lauren Cooper, Dr. Kathleen Balthasar and Vivian Huer; two stepsons, Frank Szeliga Jr. and Gregory Szeliga; and 10 grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial was offered Saturday, Sept. 15 in St. Albert the Great Church after prayers in Fretthold Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Roswell Park Cancer Institute or the American Heart Association.