Stanley J. Pitera, 88, of Fall River, MA passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, May 8, 2011 at Saint Anne’s Hospital. Stanley was married for 63 years to the late Jennie (Pruchnik) Pitera, also of Fall River, who died on April 13, 2011. Born on December 25, 1922, he was the son of the late Jacob and Mary (Januscz) Pitera and was a lifelong resident of the city.
Stanley was a communicant of Good Shepherd Parish in Fall River. He was Superintendant at Gemco International for 37 years, retiring in 1987. Subsequently, he was employed by Arruda Florist and then Tower Mill Outlet Mall until 2009. He served in the US Army Air Corps as an airplane mechanic during World War II and saw extensive action in the Pacific, stationed in Okinawa. Stanley enjoyed tinkering with lawnmowers and was well known for his skills in repairing small engines.
In his younger years, Stanley was well known throughout Fall River for all his athletic accomplishments. He was a semi-professional soccer player as well as an accomplished bowler at both Walko and Durfee bowling alleys. Stanley was also a well regarded youth baseball coach for Bayside Little League. He enjoyed spending time with his wife, family and friends at Polish picnics and dances. Stanley was an avid Red Sox, Celtics and Patriots fan.
Stanley is survived by his two daughters; Jean Halligan and her husband John of Sanibel, FL and JoAnne Studer and her husband Thomas of The Villages, FL; a son, S. Thomas Pitera and his wife Suzanne of Sarasota, FL; and a sister, Sophie Zembo of Westport, MA. He was also survived by many beautiful grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Stanley was predeceased by three brothers; Joseph, John and Walter and three sisters; Amelia Amaral, Wanda Cordeiro and Helen Law.
The family will be receiving friends and relatives on Tuesday May 10th from5 – 8 PM at BOYKO MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 709 Broadway, Fall River, MA. (www.boykomemorial.com). Friends and relatives are also invited to the Funeral on Wednesday May, 11th at 9 AM from BOYKO MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM at Good Shepherd Parish, 1598 South Main Street, Fall River. Internment will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Fall River. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Stanley’s memory to Dominican Foundation, Province of St. Joseph, 141 East 65th Street, New York, NY 10065.