Janis Vieze

Janis W. Vieze, 100, passed away peacefully on March 6, 2009, surrounded by his loving family. Born the 28th of May, 1909 in Jelgava, Latvia, he attended the Latvia University of Medicine in Riga and graduated in 1934 with a specialty in surgery. To improve his knowledge, he attended surgical seminars across Europe in Estonia, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Prague, Austria and Hungary. In 1944, Janis left his beloved country and lived in southern Germany near Munich. There, he worked as the senior doctor for the International Relief Organization at the displaced person's camp, "Insula." In 1949, he came to the United States and started an internship at Albany Memorial Hospital and became certified as a physician in 1951. From 1960-1967, he worked as a pathologist and associate director for Bender Laboratory. He was also an associate professor of clinical pathology and clinical microscopy, lecturing at Albany College of Pharmacy in the department of medical technology. He became laboratory director and chairman of pathology at Cohoes Memorial Hospital in 1967, until he retired in 1974. He was a member of the American Medical Association, Albany County Medical Society, N.Y. State Medical Society, a member emeritus of the American College of Pathology and the American Society of Clinical Pathologists and the N.Y. State Society of Pathologists. He is survived by his wife, Inara Buda-Vieze and her family, Ina Hvizdak (Keith), Inta Grymin (Joseph), Leo Buda (Donna), Ed Buda (Susan), David Buda (MaryJane); nephews, Dr. Valdis Leinieks of Lincoln, Neb. and Dr. Juris Lejnieks of Vancouver, Canada and their families. A memorial service will be held at New Comer-Cannon Funeral Home, 343 Karner Road, Colonie, N.Y. at 12 noon on Sunday, March 15, 2009. A contribution in his memory can be made to either the Latvian American Lutheran Church, c/o Talavs Erglis, 16 Gauthier Drive, Clifton Park, NY 12065 or Colonie Village Volunteer Fire Company Ambulance Fund, 1631 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12205. To leave a special message for the family online, visit: Newcomeralbany.com