Obituary of Stanley D. Kankowski

Stanley D. Kankowski longtime resident of Fort Lee, New Jersey passed away on Saturday, May 5, 2018 a few days short of his 99th birthday. The younger of two children of Wladyslaw and Julianna, Stanley was a lifelong practicing Catholic. Along with his sister Jean he was educated at local Catholic schools and was fluent in both English and Polish. Tennis was his sport of choice which he played in his youth and followed all his life. Stanley was also an avid fisherman with a preference for ocean fishing in the waters off New Jersey although he could be found "dipping a line" almost anywhere.

Like many of his generation Stanley was called by his country to service in World War II which he did in the U.S. Army Battery D 143RD Anti Aircraft Artillery Gun Battalion fighting in France, Belgium and Germany.

Returning from the war in Europe, Stanley met and married in 1949, the love of his life and wife of 68 years Marion Abruzzo. This was followed by the birth of son Stanley John and daughter Marianne. In 1956 the family moved into their house in Fort Lee.

Stanley was always mechanically inclined and had the ability to understand and repair almost anything. He worked first in installing high voltage underground wiring later assembling airplane wings for the war effort prior to his time in service. After his marriage to Marion he worked in a business part owned by his father-in-law, Jersey Thread & Scallop Cutting Company a part of the Schiffi embroidery industry that was widespread in Hudson and Bergen Counties at the time.

With the demise of the embroidery industry in New Jersey, Stanley went to work for a friend that had just started his own business building conveyors for the food industry. Stanley worked as an assembler and shop electrician for Traycon, Inc. until his retirement at age 86. Fair to say, he enjoyed his work.

On moving to Fort Lee, Stanley and Marion became communicants and supporters of St. Nicholas RC Church. Both of their children were schooled at St. Nicholas elementary school, and Marion and Stanley were involved in a number of church related organizations. Stanley was the first Cubmaster of the newly formed Pack 302 at St. Nicholas. He was also a member of the Holy Name Society and a longtime Church Usher.

Stanley and Marion spent many good times at the Jersey Shore but also enjoyed international travel having been to Italy on several occasions as well as France, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Venezuela and Brazil.

Several years ago Stanley and Marion moved to a retirement community in Indianapolis, Indiana, very near their daughter Marianne.

Stanley is survived by his beloved Marion, his son Stanley John and his wife Laura Mylott, his daughter Marianne Spinola and her husband Stanley Michael, and their three children Stanley John, Suzanne and Caroline. Stanley is also survived by Marion's brother John, thirteen nieces and nephews and many grand nieces and grand nephews. For years Marion and Stanley have been especially close to their pastor and friend Rev. Antonio da Silva.

We, his family and friends, do not mourn for Stanley, instead we celebrate the long life of this gentle man.

The family will receive their friends on Wednesday 10:00 - 11:30 AM at the Frank A. Patti and Kenneth Mikatarian Funeral Home 327 Main Street "opposite the Fort Lee Library". The funeral will leave Wednesday at 11:30 AM for the celebration of his funeral mass in St. Nicholas R.C. Church at 12:00 PM. For condolences, directions, or information call (201) 944-0100 or www.frankpatti.com