David A. Janas

David A. Janas, age 88, passed away August 27, 2026, at his home in Toledo after a brief illness. He was born September 14, 1937, the son of Sigmund and Stephanie (Kupiec) Janas.

He graduated Macomber VTHS in 1956 and got to work in his field of study, autobody repair, starting his 66 year career which ended just a few years ago at the age of 84.

He married his highschool sweetheart, Eileen Holewinski in 1958 and quickly started a family. Four kids in five years demonstrates his work ethic even when it came to building a family.

From the very beginning he was the consumate car guy. Dave was a founding member of the Toledo Chapter of the "Pharaohs Car Club". He used his skills to build many show cars over the years. Culminating with his show rod the "DDT" (Dave's Delivery Truck) that won many "Best In Show" awards in the 70's. He was a master fabricator building this car from a concept drawing. He also worked on concourse quality show cars for freelance clients. He raised the level of his craft to an art form. His contemporaries have said he was one of the best who ever did it.

Dave just plain worked hard. Roll up your sleeves, put your head down and get the job done was his unspoken motto. Dave worked for Taylor Buick for 44 years. He went to work from 9 - 6, came home, had dinner and went back to work at his own shop until midnight - 4 nights a week. In this way he was able to provide for his family and fund his projects all on a blue collar paycheck. Some would say his was not a glamorous life, a flashy life - we would say, it was a life whose work ethic was one that helped build his family, his church, his country and achieve the American Dream.

He is survived by his children, Laura Burchette, James (Pam), Paul (Nicole), and Lee Ann Thorp (Tom). He was preceded in death by his parents, Sigmund and Stephanie (Kupiec) Janas, and his wife of 29 years, Eileen (Holewinski).

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to: Cherry Street Mission or Disabled American Veterans