short illness at the age of 93. He was surrounded by his loving wife, Thelma Stanisz, his four
devoted children, their spouses, seven grandchildren and a close family friend.
John was born on April 30, 1925 in Great Barrington Mass. He grew up in Pittsfield Mass and
attended Great Barrington High School. After graduation John joined the Navy on July 7, 1943
and served as a gunner on the USS Arkansas (BB 33). His service records confirm his combat
experiences as follows:
Omaha Beach on D-Day during the invasion of Normandy, June 6 - July 24 th ,1944.
The Invasion of Southern France, Aug 15 – Aug 17 1944.
The Battle of Iwo Jima Feb 16 - March 26 1945
The Invasion of Okinawa April 1 – June 22, 1945, where John was wounded in action.
While in service John received the following awards:
Purple Heart
World War II Victory Medal
American Theatre Medal
European – African – Middle Eastern Theatre Medal (2 Stars)
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
Philippine Liberation Medal
Atlantic Pacific Theatre Medal (2 Stars)
Following the war Sarge started a second career with the US Air Force and served honorably
maintaining B-29 Superfortress Bombers. John met his future wife, Thelma Narciso Robles at
Clark Air Force base while serving in the Philippines in 1969. He retired from the USAF as a
Staff Sergeant on February 5 th 1971 and began the next chapter of his life raising his family in
Buzzards Bay, MA. He took on a new career with the US Post Office and worked there until his
retirement in 1993.
In his younger days Sarge was an active golfer. He was also an enthusiastic hunter and
fisherman and enjoyed spending time on the waters of Buzzards Bay boating and fishing with
his children. John had a great affinity for literature and was an avid reader of history and
military novels. He was an active member of the VFW and the American Legion and spent
many enjoyable evenings singing karaoke and dancing with his wife and friends there. Sarge
loved to dance and would often be seen dancing around the house to keep from pacing while he
waited for his four ladies as they prepared for the day’s events.
John is survived by: his beloved wife Thelma Stanisz, his daughters; Maribel Driscol-Cicco,and
her husband John; Marylou Robles and close family friend Dr. Anne Gryboski; Michelle Norbaka
and her husband Keith; and his son, John Stanisz Jr and his wife Hillary. He was blessed with
seven grandchildren: Thomas, Maribeth, Stephanie, Lorenzo, Robert, Korynne and Kyle.
John’s wake will be held at Nickerson Funeral Home40 MacArthur Blvd Bourne MA on
Wednesday July 25th from 4-8 PM.
A Mass will be held at St Margaret's Church, 141 Main Street, Buzzards Bay, MA on Thursday
July 26th St at 11am followed by burial at Bourne National Cemetery, Connery Ave. Bourne,
Ma (508) 563-7113 www.cem.va.gov/CEM/cems/nchp/massachusetts.asp
In lieu of flowers please make a donation in John’s name to the American Heart Association
http://www.heart.org/, Alzheimer's Association https://www.alz.org/, and the Veterans
