On Friday, June 19, Stan Gingolaski, loving husband and father of two children and three grandchildren, passed away at the age of 78. Stan died peacefully at Danbury Hospital following a long battle with kidney and heart failure.

Stan was born in Bridgeport and graduated from Stratford High School. He continued to further his lifelong love of learning through many technical schools. He was a guided missile tech in the 75th Fighter Interceptor Squadron of the Air Force stationed at Dow AFB in Bangor, Maine. It was there that he not only served his country with honor and distinction but also met his best friend, Edward, and the love of his life, Margret McClure. After leaving the service, he worked for SNET for 38 years, starting in the central office and then in the specialized radio/video/satellite/fiber optics division.

In his early years, he enjoyed auto racing with brother-in-law, Ed, and later restoring his old ‘36 Plymouth. He especially loved taking his wife out on his Harley for long rides.

From the children’s early lives, he was a coach for many of their sports. He taught hockey and t-ball. He was very active in the Newtown Soccer League, coaching both in-house and travel teams for both children. In 1983, Stan, Jack Harrison, and Tom McHale coached the Gunners to win the state soccer title for their age group.

Stan loved to travel and took many beautiful photographs of the wildlife and ecology across the United States as well as the unique wildlife in the six continents he frequently visited. Africa, Antarctica, and the Galapagos were some of his favorite trips. He enjoyed his home and loved to get together with family and friends for meals and cards. Stan also spent a lot of time as a volunteer with the Friends of the C.H. Booth Library.

Stan had a gruff exterior, but he had a heart of gold. The legacy he leaves to his children and grandchildren is a gift we will cherish forever. In 1974, he was driving home from work on his Harley and spotted a two-car garage on fire. He woke up the owner of the house before the fire trucks arrived. Stan didn’t think he did anything special, but it was special because he taught us, by example, to do the right thing and help your neighbor and expect nothing in return. He also taught us to never stop learning, to live within your means, and to be grateful for others.

Throughout his career, he always went to classes and worked hard to improve and update his skills so that he could maintain his job expertise. He showed us that happiness doesn’t come from what money can buy, it comes from experiences that you have with family and friends.

Finally, during the last years of his life, even though he had health issues, he was grateful and uncomplaining during dialysis treatments. He always strived to do what was right and thought of others before himself.

He is preceded in death by his father, Stanley, and mother, Dora. His best friend and brother-in-law, Edward McClure, predeceased him by a month.

He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Margaret; his daughter, Sharron, and husband, Garry Lang; his son, Steven, and wife, Denise, and three adored grandchildren, Michael, Kathryn, and Gabrielle Gingolaski; his sister-in law, Danielle Boisvert; nieces, Michelle Barriault and husband, Ron, and Theresa Trudelle and husband, Rick; his aunt, Joyce Surrace, and husband and John; great-nephews, Tucker Chase and Caleb O’Brien; and several cousins.

The family would like to give many thanks to the wonderful staff at Housatonic DaVita for their wonderful care of him these last few years, and to the caring compassionate staff at Danbury Hospital, who allowed the family to stay by his side till the end.

A celebration of life is planned later on this year for his friends and family to exchange their favorite Stan stories over food and drink.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in his memory can be made to Friends of C.H. Booth Library or to the wildlife charity of your choice.