Michael Joseph Kaniecki
Michael Joseph Kaniecki, SJ (April 13, 1935 – August 6, 2000) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as bishop of the Diocese of Fairbanks in Alaska from 1985 to 2000. Born in Detroit, Michigan, Kaniecki had professed religious vows as a Jesuit, and was ordained a priest on June 5, 1965. On March 8, 1984, Pope John Paul II named him to be the coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Fairbanks. He was consecrated on May 1, 1984, by Bishop Robert Whelan.. The co-consecrators were Archbishop Francis Thomas Hurley and Bishop Michael  Kenny. Kaniecki automatically became bishop of Fairbanks on June 1, 1985, with the resignation of Bishop Whelan; Kaniecki was installed on July 28, 1985. He served the diocese for a total of 16 years. Kaniecki died suddenly on August 6, 2000, of a massive heart attack before celebrating a mass in Emmonak, Alaska.