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Stanley Stopa Jr.

On May 18, 2024, Stanley L. “Stash” Stopa Jr. passed on to his eternal life to join his parents, Stanley L. Sr. and Albina (Hmielewski) Stopa, on their wedding anniversary date. He is also predeceased by his brother-in-law, Edward J. Bauer, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. He leaves behind his sisters, Kathleen Bauer (Rick Stebbins) and Gladys Stopa (Scott Bair), along with niece Monica Bauer (Kennedy Nichols), and nephews, Michael Grisky (Annie Calamari), Brian Bauer (Katie) and Mark Bauer (Kate); and numerous great-nieces and nephews.

Stash was born July 26, 1947, at a whopping 11 pounds. Mom told us he pulled himself out of his carriage at one and a half months old. This started his adventurous spirit. He was quite the outdoorsman and filled his life with fishing, hunting, boating, running, biking, swimming and skiing. He was a certified scuba diver and even tried his hand at lobstering.

After graduating from Vinal Regional Technical School as a machinist and tool and die maker, he was employed at Pratt & Whitney of Middletown. In 1969, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. and trained at Parris Island, Camp Lejeune, and later was stationed at Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor, Washington. He excelled in all he did, being at the top of his classes and achieving expert marksman. There, he continued his studies in electronics and was eventually employed at Rocket Research. Stash worked on one of the space shuttle capsules, which is now at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Upon returning to Connecticut, Stash was employed at Champion Tool and Die Mfg. in Deep River for many years. He studied and taught welding and also was a member of the S-X and Niantic Sportsman’s Clubs.

We would like to thank the kind staff of Ocean Meadow Senior Living and Memory Care of Clinton, Chestelm Health and Rehabilitation of Moodus, and Beacon Hospice of Connecticut for their care and compassion in caring for Stash.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 3, at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 14 Prospect Street in Essex. Burial with the rendering of military honors will follow in the Fountain Hill Cemetery, 57 High Street in Deep River. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Stash’s name to St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, 14 Prospect St., Essex, CT 06426, or Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. To share a memory of Stash or send a condolence to his family, please visit www.rwwfh.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook.