Stan V "Stan the Man" Skamarycz

Stanley was born on June 15, 1928, in Gardner, the first son of the late Wincenty J. and Josephine (Plona) Skamarycz. He graduated from Gardner High School in 1946. A short time later he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served in Italy with the 88 Infantry Division and the Trieste Garrison. He attended Becker Junior College from 1948 to 1950 receiving an associate degree in accounting. Shortly after the Korean War began, he was recalled to active duty and served in the Secord Infantry Division in Korea until 1951.

His military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the European Occupation Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Korean Service Medal with three battle stars, the Republic of Korea Medal, the United National Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, and the American Defense Medal.

In 1957, he married the former Theresa C. Poploski, who passed away in 2005. He is survived by his two children. Stanley II of Westminster, and Tanya Griffin of Arizona; His four grandchildren, Lindsay Beth DeAngelis of Billerica, Jordan Kelsey Skamarycz, Dillan Vincent Skamarycz, and Madison Rae Skamarycz all of Westminster; his five great-grandchildren, Kameron, Jayden, Bryson, Jayla and Mia; his two sisters, Ann Micara, wife of Capt. Frank Micara USN retired of Daytona Beach Shores, FL, and Suzanne Nobrega, wife of Edward Nobrega of CT; his brother, Augustus “Gus” Skamarycz and his wife Margaret (Locke) Skamarycz of Tyngsboro; and many nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by two sisters, Marion “Skippy” Matilainen, widow of Waino, and Dorothy Gerrard, widow of Charles.

He worked as an insurance salesman for ten years. In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed him as Postmaster of Westminster, MA 01473, where he served until October 1992, when he retired from government service.

During his Postal Career, he was active in the National Association of Postmasters, (NAPUS) serving as president of Central Ma for three terms, He also served the State organization first as secretary/treasurer for three years followed by two years as State President. Upon retiring he served as State President of Retired Postmasters for a number of years. For many years he was the PAC (Political Action Committee) chairman raising thousands of dollars to support elected officials who supported Postal and Postmaster legislation.

Calling Hours for Stan will be held on Sunday, September 24, 2023, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the Mack Funeral Home, 105 Central Street, Gardner, MA 01440. His funeral will be held on Monday, September 25, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. in St. Edward the Confessor Church, 10 Church Street, Westminster, MA 01473. Burial will follow in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Ellis and Knower Road, Westminster, MA with Military Honors,

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in his name to either St. Edward the Confessor Building fund, 10 Church Street, Westminster, MA 01473 or to the Westminster Food Pantry, C/O the First Congregational Church, P.O. Box 477, Westminster, MA 01473, or to the Ahimsa Haven, a cat shelter, at Ahimsahaven.org