Stanley J. Kokoszka, 94, of Haddam passed away peacefully on December 11, 2022 at Portland Care and Rehabilitation Centre after a short illness. Stanley was born in Rockfall on September 1, 1928, the son of John and Mary (Ciesla) Kokoszka. Stanley graduated from Horace C. Wilcox Technical School in 1948. He served in the U.S. Army in Japan for 9 months and in Korea with the 40th Division Infantry for 9 months attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. Prior to his retirement, Stanley was employed with Pratt & Whitney Aircraft for 35 years as a Tool and Die Maker, first in North Haven and later in East Hartford. Stanley also spent many years working a second job as a Tool and Die Maker at Rogers Manufacturing in Rockfall.
Stanley was a Life Member of the Middlefield Volunteer Fire Company and the Tadeusz Kosciuszko Society “K-Club” in Rockfall. He was Past Commander of VFW Post 10362 in Rockfall, a member of the Catholic War Veterans Post 1166 in Middletown, American Legion Post 192 in Middlefield, and Disabled American Veterans. He also was a member of the Eagles Aerie No. 681. Stanley spent many enjoyable years square dancing with the Durham Cogin-Chuggers square dance club where he made many friends and he also enjoyed throwing darts and playing setback.
Stanley is survived by his three children, Robert of Meriden and William and Carole of Rockfall and several nieces and nephews. Stanley was predeceased by eight brothers, Peter, Walter, Frank, Joseph, Anthony, Bert, Chester, and Edward, and one sister, Stephanie (Kokoszka) Kruvka.
Stanley’s family is grateful for the compassionate and professional care he received from the nurses, aids and staff members of both the former One MacDonough Place in Middletown and The Saybrook at Haddam, where Stanley resided since 2021. The family would also like to thank VNA Homecare nurse Patty Tsou, Dr. Rathier of the VA Medical Center in Newington, Dr. Read and Dr. Carini of the Middlesex Hospital Family Practice Residency Program, the doctors, nurses, aids, and staff of Middlesex Hospital South 7, and the nurses, aides, therapists, and staff of Portland Care and Rehabilitation Centre where Stanley spent the final two weeks of his life.
A Funeral Liturgy will be held Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at 12 Noon at Saint Mary of Czestochowa Church, Hubbard Street, Middletown. Friends may call at Biega Funeral Home 3 Silver Street, Middletown prior to the service from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Burial with Military Honors will be held at the State Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Stanley’s memory to the Middlefield Volunteer Fire Company, 406 Jackson Hill Road, Middlefield, CT 06455.
