Stanley Joseph Piaseczny Sr.

It is with great sadness that the family of Stanley Joseph Piaseczny announce his death on Saturday, July 12th, 2014 after 3 years of failing health. He was born in Cambridge(Galt) on January 20th, 1929. At 18 he met and married the love of his life, Stella (née Psiurski) and together they shared many happy times over the past 67 years with their growing family. Loving father of Linda Eccles (Bruce), Shirley Newton (Joe), Stan Piaseczny Jr. (Vicki) and Mike Piaseczny (Jacqueline). Cherished grandpa of Jennifer Clements (Kevin), Michael Eccles (Catia), Robert Piaseczny, Nicholas Piaseczny, Matthew Piaseczny, Michael Joseph Piaseczny and Alicia Piaseczny. Great- grandpa of Tyler, Hunter and Alexander. Stan was predeceased by his dear parents Anthony and Veronica and Sister Sophie. Also survived by many nieces and nephews who mourn his passing. Stan was a long time employee of Joy Manufacturing; his final position there was senior tool designer. After that he was employed by Preston Metal before his retirement. He had many talents and interests: helping to run social events of the Joy Canteen along with fellow volunteer employees, Mr. Fix-it for family, friends and neighbours, accordion player, member of the Royal Canadian Legion (Preston Branch 126) for 35 years. He had a special interest in his cars. But his greatest devotion was to his wife and family. We will miss him terribly. A sincere thank-you to the Doctors, Nurses and other dedicated health care professionals for the kind and compassionate care they gave to Stan, with special thank-you to Nurse Diane Pental (Stirling Heights Long Term Care Home) and Nurses Erica and Angela (CCAC). Cremation has taken place. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario, St. Joseph's Health Centre, Guelph, Ontario, St. Mary's Regional Health Centre, Kitchener, Ontario, Guelph General Hospital or Cambridge Memorial Hospital would be appreciated by the family.

Our dad was not a famous Doctor, powerful politician, wealth businessman or movie star. He was just an ordinary man from the small town of Galt, Ontario. But to us he was extraordinary. His death has left our family with an immeasurable loss. However, his life has left us with many wonderful memories. He showed such courage during the most challenging and final phase of his life: major heart surgery and then amputation of both legs. Sixty-seven years ago, at the age of 18, Dad stood at the alter of St. Patrick's Church and vowed to love our mother until death. He kept this promise to her despite his physical separation from her when his second leg was amputated a few months ago, necessitating his move from their apartment into a long term care facility. Last year on the night before his first leg was amputated I asked him what he was thinking. He said "what use am I with only one leg?" I replied that it didn't matter how many legs he had, he would always be my dad. By his example dad taught his children to be honest, to work hard, to persevere when things get difficult, to stick up for what was right and fair and to help family and friends. He told us that we were capable of whatever we wanted to be. The one proviso was that we couldn't loaf around the house: either get a job or learn a trade or go to University and then get a job. Dad had a great sense of humour and enjoyed making his family and friends giggle: from making silly faces just when you snapped a photo to putting a lampshade on his head during a party to rolling his kids around in a giant cardboard storage container in the basement (our very own carnival ride!). He loved comedy: TV, movies and the comics, especially Family Circus. Given what we four kids sometimes said and did I am not surprised that he enjoyed this comic strip the most! He was our own Jackie Gleason; a big and caring heart beneath a sometimes grumpy exterior. He could be stubborn yet was humble enough to apologize when he realized he was wrong. He was Mr. Fix-it to family and friends when anything broke or needed replacement or simply needed to be attached to a wall. I looked around my house and see some of his handiwork: a fill length mirror, the back deck steps, the holder for our ironing board and iron, a kitchen towel rack, and the list goes on. He was also Mr. Candy-Man to everyone he encountered: from the bank tellers to the staff at the local pharmacy, he always had a handful of candies to hand out. He loved Country and Western movies and the old black and white classics. After his death we came across a resident profile in his room at the Stirling Heights Long Term Care Facility. It was only partially filled out. Under the section "things that make me happy" he said "being with my wife". In the section "what things are important to you at present" he had said "being close to my wife". He demonstrated through his actions and his words that he also loved his four children deeply and equally. But I would venture to say that his cars may have been a close second! (Just kidding, Dad). In the church hall there are 4 easels set up. As you look at these photos of my dad I would like you to remember this ordinary but extraordinary man that we all had the privilege of knowing: my father, Stan Piaseczny.

Written by daughter Shirley Newton