Obituary for Stanley J. Wlodarczyk
Stanley J. Wlodarczyk, 90, died peacefully at home on Thursday, March 18, 2021. Born to Polish immigrants in Brooklyn, NY, he attended Stuyvesant High School and was awarded a scholarship to study mechanical engineering at The City College of New York. A 57-year resident of Glastonbury, he worked for 35 years as an aeronautical engineer at Pratt & Whitney and coached one of its softball teams.
Early in his career, Stan worked on the fuel cell for the Apollo program. While filming a launch at Cape Canaveral, he accidentally walked to a restricted area and found himself viewing the launch with astronauts and NASA top brass. Stan was a quiet, humble man, so he and his family were amused when the Hartford Courant’s coverage of the 50th anniversary of the moon landing featured a photo of the P&W fuel cell with Stan beside it, easily identified by his dark-rimmed glasses, sport coat, and sweet-tooth physique.
Stan was active in the Polish-American community in Hartford, serving as president of the Polish University Club for 15 years and as a longtime member of the Polish Democratic Club and Polish Cultural Club. He was an excellent writer, and many of his letters-to-the-editor (on topics such as political hypocrisy, rising income and wealth inequality, and the death of a beloved pet) were published by the Courant and The Glastonbury Citizen. Stan had a great sense of humor, from slapstick physical comedy to witty quips. When visiting the P&W factory floor, he and his team would march single file, quacking like ducks or don Groucho Marx glasses to inspect jet engines. He enjoyed big band and classical music, summer concerts by the Glastonbury Town Band, and serenading fellow shoppers during the holiday season.
Stan was predeceased by his parents, his sister Josephine, and his brother-in-law Donald. He is survived by his devoted wife of 58 years, Stella, and his daughters, son-in-law, and extended family, who will miss his kind and gentle spirit. The family would like to thank the staff of ECHN hospice, especially Donna, for their excellent care. Those wishing to honor Stan’s memory may donate to organizations that protect the environment or address inequality.
Early in his career, Stan worked on the fuel cell for the Apollo program. While filming a launch at Cape Canaveral, he accidentally walked to a restricted area and found himself viewing the launch with astronauts and NASA top brass. Stan was a quiet, humble man, so he and his family were amused when the Hartford Courant’s coverage of the 50th anniversary of the moon landing featured a photo of the P&W fuel cell with Stan beside it, easily identified by his dark-rimmed glasses, sport coat, and sweet-tooth physique.
Stan was active in the Polish-American community in Hartford, serving as president of the Polish University Club for 15 years and as a longtime member of the Polish Democratic Club and Polish Cultural Club. He was an excellent writer, and many of his letters-to-the-editor (on topics such as political hypocrisy, rising income and wealth inequality, and the death of a beloved pet) were published by the Courant and The Glastonbury Citizen. Stan had a great sense of humor, from slapstick physical comedy to witty quips. When visiting the P&W factory floor, he and his team would march single file, quacking like ducks or don Groucho Marx glasses to inspect jet engines. He enjoyed big band and classical music, summer concerts by the Glastonbury Town Band, and serenading fellow shoppers during the holiday season.
Stan was predeceased by his parents, his sister Josephine, and his brother-in-law Donald. He is survived by his devoted wife of 58 years, Stella, and his daughters, son-in-law, and extended family, who will miss his kind and gentle spirit. The family would like to thank the staff of ECHN hospice, especially Donna, for their excellent care. Those wishing to honor Stan’s memory may donate to organizations that protect the environment or address inequality.