Stanley G. Stepaniak
Born In: New Waterford
Born: January 5th, 1921
Passed in: New Waterford
Passed on: March 14th, 2015
Stanley G. Stepaniak, 94, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2015 at the New Waterford Consolidated Hospital after a brief illness.
He was born Jan. 5, 1921 in New Waterford to Albert Stepaniak and Victoria (Novak) Stepaniak. He was a member of the Parish of St. Leonard, New Waterford, formerly of St. Michael’s Parish, Scotchtown. Stanley was the youngest of seven children and the only one to be born in Canada as his family left Poland after the First World War. For a brief period, he resided with Frank and Mary Timmons from Dominion. He returned to New Waterford to attend and graduate from St. Agnes School. At the age of 20 Stanley enlisted and served in the Second World War and was a member of the Royal Canadian Engineers and worked as a sapper; an army engineer. His division relocated throughout Europe in places such as: France, Dieppe, Belgium and Holland. While in Holland, Stanley had a severe break to his leg and was transported back to Canada marking that as his last time having served. He earned many medals, including the Defense of Britain and most recently one for D-Day service and bravery. After that time, he laboured in Cape Breton, Montreal, Ottawa and PEI as a bricklayer, and eventually moved back to New Waterford. Stanley revisited places in Europe after the war and attended Juno Beach for the opening of the Second World War museum. He actively attended Remembrance Day ceremonies until the time of his death. For many years, he generously donated to countless organizations throughout the course of his life. He had also been known to write a letter or two to local and national politicians expressing his concerns.
Stanley was predeceased by his parents; brothers Paul, Steve and Eddy, all who served in and survived the Second World War; three sisters, Theresa (Wilcox), Gertrude (Walzak) and Annie (Kiley) and two half brothers, Johnnie and Albert.
His half brother Frankie and many nieces and nephews survive him.
Visitation is Wednesday, March 18th from 4-8 p.m. in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith St., New Waterford. Funeral mass will be held in the Parish of St. Leonard, Mount Carmel Ave., New Waterford at 10 a.m., Thursday, March 19, 2015, with Fr. Ray Huntley officiating. A luncheon will follow at the Army, Navy, Airforce Hall, Unit 217, Smith St., New Waterford. Burial will be held in St. Michael’s Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one's choice.
Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at:www.vjmcgillivray.ca. "Stanley’s quiet nature, gentle disposition and quick wit will be dearly missed".
