Dominic Olejniczak
Encyclopedia
Dominic Olejniczak was the mayor
of Green Bay, Wisconsin
and was president and chairman of the Board of the Green Bay Packers
.
Mr. Olejniczak was born on August 18, 1908 to John A. and Victoria Olejniczak in Green Bay, Wisconsin
. He was a lifelong resident of the city and on November 24, 1938, married Regina Bettine at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral
in Green Bay
. Dom and Gina lovingly adopted two sons, Thomas Marshall Olejniczak and Mark Dominic Olejniczak.
Dominic served as alderman
from 1936 to 1944 and served as a mayor of Green Bay from 1945 to 1955. During his tenure as mayor, the city of Green Bay built a pipeline to Lake Michigan
for its water supply. Also, the beltline around the city was planned and developed under Mr. Olejniczak's supervision.
Dominic's love for Green Bay Packers
Football began when the team was young. He was attending East High School
and lived not far from the stadium which at that time was located on East High School grounds. At that time, a youngster could walk into the stadium with a player and carry his headgear and Dominic was among them. His interest never waned. He continued to be an ardent backer during his years as alderman and as mayor. On July 10, 1950, Mr. Olejniczak was named to the Green Bay Packers Board of Directors
and the bond grew stronger. In his dual role as mayor and board member that year, he was a leader in the civic drive that netted more than $100,000 and helped save the franchise.
Dominic Olejniczak was named to the Executive Committee of the Green Bay Packers Board of Directors in January 1952. Six years later, in 1958, he became President of the only publicly owned National Football League
(NFL) franchise. When he took over the Packer presidency the team had not had a winning record in 10 years. Mr. Olejniczak was a prime mover in building the new City Stadium and was instrumental in hiring New York Giants
assistant Vince Lombardi in 1959. The decision to hire Mr. Lombardi led to the most successful era in the team's history as Mr. Lombardi led the Packers to five championships.
After serving 24 years as Packer President, more than anyone in the team's history, Dominic Olejniczak resigned as president on June 1, 1982, and was succeeded by Judge Robert J. Parins
. At that time, Mr. Olejniczak was named the first Packer Chairman of the Board and served in that role until 1989. Mr. Olejniczak was inducted into the Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame in 1979.
Prior to entering public service, Dominic was a real estate broker
. Mr. Olejniczak received the Knighthood of St. Gregory from Bishop Wycislo and an honorary Doctorate of Law Degree from St. Norbert College
in 1986. He was the first lay President of Premontre High School (later changed to Notre Dame de la Baie Academy).
Dominic Olejniczak died at age 80 after suffering numerous strokes.
Mr. Olejniczak's legacy with the City of Green Bay and the Green Bay Packers Football Organization continues through his sons. Thomas Olejniczak is a highly respected attorney in Green Bay. Thomas also serves on the Board of Directors for the Green Bay Packers Football Organization. Mark D. Olejniczak followed in his father's early footsteps and cultivated a highly successful real estate firm in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Dominic's sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren remain devoted Green Bay Packer fans today.
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Green Bay, Wisconsin
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Green Bay is a city in and the county seat of Brown County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, located at the head of Green Bay, a sub-basin of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Fox River. It has an elevation of above sea level and is located north of Milwaukee. As of the 2010 United States Census,...
and was president and chairman of the Board of the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
.
Mr. Olejniczak was born on August 18, 1908 to John A. and Victoria Olejniczak in Green Bay, Wisconsin
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Green Bay is a city in and the county seat of Brown County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, located at the head of Green Bay, a sub-basin of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Fox River. It has an elevation of above sea level and is located north of Milwaukee. As of the 2010 United States Census,...
. He was a lifelong resident of the city and on November 24, 1938, married Regina Bettine at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral
Cathedral of Saint Francis Xavier in Green Bay
The Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Green Bay in Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States. The Cathedral was named in honor of Francis Xavier....
in Green Bay
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Green Bay is a city in and the county seat of Brown County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, located at the head of Green Bay, a sub-basin of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Fox River. It has an elevation of above sea level and is located north of Milwaukee. As of the 2010 United States Census,...
. Dom and Gina lovingly adopted two sons, Thomas Marshall Olejniczak and Mark Dominic Olejniczak.
Dominic served as alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
from 1936 to 1944 and served as a mayor of Green Bay from 1945 to 1955. During his tenure as mayor, the city of Green Bay built a pipeline to Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron...
for its water supply. Also, the beltline around the city was planned and developed under Mr. Olejniczak's supervision.
Dominic's love for Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
Football began when the team was young. He was attending East High School
Green Bay East High School
Green Bay East High School is a public high school in the Green Bay Area Public School District serving Green Bay, Wisconsin and its surrounding communities . The school's street address is 1415 East Walnut Street.-History:East High School has been located in three buildings over its 150-year history...
and lived not far from the stadium which at that time was located on East High School grounds. At that time, a youngster could walk into the stadium with a player and carry his headgear and Dominic was among them. His interest never waned. He continued to be an ardent backer during his years as alderman and as mayor. On July 10, 1950, Mr. Olejniczak was named to the Green Bay Packers Board of Directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
and the bond grew stronger. In his dual role as mayor and board member that year, he was a leader in the civic drive that netted more than $100,000 and helped save the franchise.
Dominic Olejniczak was named to the Executive Committee of the Green Bay Packers Board of Directors in January 1952. Six years later, in 1958, he became President of the only publicly owned National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(NFL) franchise. When he took over the Packer presidency the team had not had a winning record in 10 years. Mr. Olejniczak was a prime mover in building the new City Stadium and was instrumental in hiring New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
assistant Vince Lombardi in 1959. The decision to hire Mr. Lombardi led to the most successful era in the team's history as Mr. Lombardi led the Packers to five championships.
After serving 24 years as Packer President, more than anyone in the team's history, Dominic Olejniczak resigned as president on June 1, 1982, and was succeeded by Judge Robert J. Parins
Robert J. Parins
Judge Robert J. Parins was the president of the Green Bay Packers, an American professional football team, from 1982 to 1989. He is currently a reserve judge on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin in District 7....
. At that time, Mr. Olejniczak was named the first Packer Chairman of the Board and served in that role until 1989. Mr. Olejniczak was inducted into the Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame in 1979.
Prior to entering public service, Dominic was a real estate broker
Real estate broker
A real estate broker, real estate agent or realtor is a party who acts as an intermediary between sellers and buyers of real estate/real property and attempts to find sellers who wish to sell and buyers who wish to buy...
. Mr. Olejniczak received the Knighthood of St. Gregory from Bishop Wycislo and an honorary Doctorate of Law Degree from St. Norbert College
St. Norbert College
St. Norbert College is a private Catholic liberal arts college in De Pere, Wisconsin. Founded in October 1898 by Abbot Bernard Pennings, a Norbertine priest and educator, the school was named after Saint Norbert of Xanten. In 1952, the college became coeducational and today enrolls about 2,175...
in 1986. He was the first lay President of Premontre High School (later changed to Notre Dame de la Baie Academy).
Dominic Olejniczak died at age 80 after suffering numerous strokes.
Mr. Olejniczak's legacy with the City of Green Bay and the Green Bay Packers Football Organization continues through his sons. Thomas Olejniczak is a highly respected attorney in Green Bay. Thomas also serves on the Board of Directors for the Green Bay Packers Football Organization. Mark D. Olejniczak followed in his father's early footsteps and cultivated a highly successful real estate firm in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Dominic's sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren remain devoted Green Bay Packer fans today.