LT. Col (Ret) Stanley "Stark" Paul Starkowicz

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Stanley Paul “Stark” Starkowicz quietly passed away Friday, June 4, 2010, at the age of 89. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, on November 15, 1920, he was a resident of El Paso for the past 47 years. Drafted into the Army during WWII, he joined the 82nd Airborne Glider Infantry and participated in Operation Market Garden in Holland and became a Prisoner of War. After the war, he elected to make a career of the military and served in the Occupation Army of Japan, France, and numerous stateside assignments, returning to Japan and retiring to El Paso in 1962. “The Colonel” worked at McKinney Wrecking Co. where he was able to engage in his favorite pastime of carpentry for over thirty years. Stark was preceded in death by his grandparents Francis and Marie Danowski; his parents Paul and Helen Starkowicz; and his sister, Agnes Starkowicz. He is survived by his wife, Hannah R. Starkowicz; daughter Linda Pedregon and son-in-law Samuel Pedregon; daughter Amy Starkowicz; granddaughter Darlene Pedregon-Thornfelt and husband, Robert Thornfelt; granddaughter Sarah Pedregon; grandson Jason Pedregon and companion Amanda Aleman; great-granddaughters Samantha and Alexandra Thornfelt; brother Charles Starkowicz; sister Mary Klecker and husband Hans Klecker; and numerous other relatives. Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 9, 2010 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM with Rosary at 7:00 PM at Martin Funeral Home West. Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 9:45 AM at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 400 W. Sunset. Interment to follow at 11:00 AM at Ft. Bliss Cemetery with full military honors. Services entrusted to Martin Funeral Home West, 128 N. Resler Dr., El Paso, TX 79912