Stanley W. Szymanski

Stanley W. Szymanski, 88, of Buffalo Twp., passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 while surrounded by his family, at Arrowood At Southwestern in West Mifflin, PA. Stan was born in East Vandergrift on June 26, 1931, a son of the late Anna (Potoka) and Charles Szymanski. Stan was a 1949 graduate of  Vandergrift High School.   Stan was an outstanding baseball player and was a pitcher on the Vandergrift High School teams that won back to back WPIAL titles in 1948 and 1949.  He pitched a no-hitter his senior year to bring Vandergrift High School back to the WPIAL championship.   He pitched and won 3 of the 5 postseason games in 1949.  After graduating high school, Stan then enlisted in the US Army and served for 3 years during the Korean War.  He was stationed in Alaska from 1950 to 1953 where he pitched for the army baseball team. At the time of his honorable discharge from the US Army, he was recruited by the American Georgia team of Pittsburgh Pirates farm league. He signed a contract with the Pirates but his time with the American Georgia team only lasted two months due to an injury he sustained while in Alaska.  Stan then enrolled at Penn State University with a scholarship and a secured a position on the baseball team.   He graduated with a degree in business and transportation logistics. Stan took a position as a credit manager with the Service Star/True Value Company. Stan worked as a credit manager for Service Star/ True Value for 37 years, retiring in 1997. He was a member of Our Lady of The Most Blessed Sacrament Natrona Heights. Stan was the head coach of Freeport Area High School baseball in 1986 and was inducted into the Armstrong County Sports Hall of Fame in 2003.  He loved playing baseball with his sons and coaching their little league teams.  Stan enjoyed taking care of his sister’s farm and always helping his family. Stan is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Rose M. (Mendicino) Szymanski. Two daughters, Patrice Szymanski, of League City, TX and Diane & Michael Godby, of Alpharetta, GA. 2 sons; Frank & Rachael Szymanski, of Finleyville, PA and Tony Szymanski, of West Leechburg; 11 loving grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Stan is also survived by a sister, Christine Torchia, of Lower Burrell and two brothers, Bernard Szymanski, of Thornburg, PA & Frank Szymanski, of Kittanning. In addition to his parents, Stan is preceded in death by his 4 sisters; Eleanor Szymanski, Pauline Slomkoski, Genevieve Chechak and Dorothy Cavalleri At Stan's request there will be no public visitation and a private family viewing and funeral service will be held in the Redmond Funeral Home Inc in Freeport. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to; PETA, 501 Front St., Norfolk, VA 23510

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