Stanley J Grabowy

Stanley Joseph Grabowy Stanley ("Stan", "Stas",) Joseph Grabowy passed away peacefully at his home in Short Hills, N.J. on Tuesday, June 25, 2013, the 69th anniversary of his marriage to Sophia (nee Potomski) who pre-deceased him. Born in Newark, N.J., Stan was a longtime resident of Short Hills, where he and his wife raised 5 children. Stan attended St. Stanislaus elementary school in Newark and was a lifetime member and staunch supporter of St. Stanislaus Parish where he was a trustee, usher and active coordinator of many social gatherings throughout his tenure. He graduated from Central High School and Essex County Vocational School in Newark majoring in the Technical Industrial Electrical program, where he built an early working television set as part of his curriculum. While at Essex County Vocational School, he garnered recommendations from his instructors to gain employment as an electrical technician at Westinghouse Electric Company in Newark. At Westinghouse he advanced to Manufacturing Engineer and then Production Manager for a product line of electrical meters, some of which were installed at Westinghouse Nuclear Energy Generator facilities. Stan retired from Westinghouse in 1981. During World War II, Stan was an Aviation Cadet at the Army Air Forces Pre-Flight School at Maxwell Field, Alabama. He then enrolled at Officer Candidate School in the Army Air Forces Technical Training Command School at Yale University in New Haven Connecticut for first and second echelon armament in 1944 and was commissioned as 1st Lieutenant. He did further training in aviation ordinance at the Army Air Forces bases in Georgia, Mississippi and Texas in 1945. During his boyhood in Newark, he enjoyed playing tennis and baseball with his friends on Belmont Avenue. His love of tennis continued beyond the clay courts in Newark as he played in his rare spare time as a family man and enjoyed watching the game. Ever ambitious in his youth, Stan helped his parents financially by holding several part-time jobs, including selling the Newark Star Eagle outside of the General Electric plant near his home and delivering cigars. He later regaled his children with stories about life lessons he learned from the cigar store owner about investing in the future. He would put these lessons to good use as he moved his wife and children from Newark to Short Hills and empowered his children to pursue graduate education and develop successful careers. At home Stan was a devoted husband, wonderful father, loving grandfather and genuine friend to many. He enjoyed visits with his grandchildren and was an avid crossword puzzler, using newly discovered words in his daily conversations. His life-long interest in the Polish cultural heritage was exemplified by his study of the Polish arts, particularly music, and his enjoyment of the compositions by Fredric Chopin and his keen interest and knowledge of polish history and politics, particularly that of the early 20th century and Poland's involvement in World War II. He especially enjoyed his travels to Poland in 1985 and 1987 where he visited family and friends. Stan will be remembered by those who knew him for his gregarious personality, active participation and leadership in the Polish community, linguistic acumen and intellectual curiosity. Volunteer work was a major part of Stan's everyday life as he was committed to helping others. He founder along with his best friend Edmund Hemmerling and continued as active trustee and leader in fundraising for the Polish Cultural Foundation in Clark NJ. He will be remembered fondly as the bi-lingual emcee of many social and cultural events in the Polish-American community in the greater Newark area. One memorable event was the 1964 May 3rd celebration at the Polish Falcons Nest 17 in Newark NJ, where he planned and hosted an event that included a tribute to the memory of President John F. Kennedy and primary guest speaker Dr. Zbigniew Brezinski. Stan was predeceased by his wife Sophia M. Grabowy (nee Potomski) and daughter Barbara J. Grabowy. He is survived by his children, son Richard S. Grabowy and his wife Constance of Harvard, MA, son Stanley D. Grabowy and his wife Bernadette of Basking Ridge NJ, his daughter Marion S. Grabowy, M.D. and her husband Francisco Ferrer-Rivera, M.D. of Wallingford CT, his son Thaddeus J. Grabowy, M.D. and his wife Kathryn of Rumson NJ; his grandchildren, Grace, Christian, Caroline, Julia, Nicholas G., Nicholas R., Theresa, Thaddeus (T.J.), Alexandra, Camille, Kathryn, Genevieve, Christina and Thomas; and a host of extended family members, including nieces and nephews. Friends and family are respectfully invited to attend his wake on Friday, June 28. 2013 during the hours of 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm. at Laskowski (Union) Funeral Home, 1600 Stuyvesant Ave, Union, N.J. (908-964-4222). On Saturday June 29, there will be a funeral at 9:00 am at the Laskowski funeral home followed by a mass at 10:00 am at St. Stanislaus Church, Irving Turner Blvd, Newark N.J and entombment at Holy Cross cemetery in North Arlington. In lieu of flowers, donations in Stan's memory may be made to the Polish Cultural Foundation, 177 Broadway, Clark NJ.