Stanley D. Szymkowicz

Stanley David Szymkowicz, age 68, of Fall River died Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at RI Hospital following a long battle with ocular melanoma. Stanley was born in Fall River, a son of the late Kazmier and Amelia (Oliveira) Szymkowicz, and was a lifelong resident of the city.

He graduated from Diman Vocational Technical High School in 1964 and entered the United States Marines Corp, serving in the Vietnam War where he was injured in battle and received the Purple Heart. Stanley was also a recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnamese Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. He was discharged into the Marine Corp Reserves in October of 1967. He was a proud member of the V. V. A., Chapter 207, the V.F.W., Post Tabor-Franchi #2396, and the D.A.V., William S. Greene Chapter 9.

Stanley worked as a Foreman for Eastern Cinemas for over 30 years before retiring in 2001. He was an avid softball player and spent many days and nights with good friends playing the game. He was well known to many in the Southcoast area as he loved to dine out and could be found at many of the local coffee shops and restaurants. He was the first to offer his help to anyone he cared about and will be remembered for his generous, warm and kind spirit.

He is survived by his son, Jared Szymkowicz and his companion Jill DeMello of Seekonk, MA; two beloved ladies who were like daughters, Liliana Megna, her husband Michael and their daughter Olivia, and Tania Duarte and her daughter Ava, all of Fall River; a sister, Therese O’Hara of Tiverton; aunt, Helen Medeiros of Dartmouth; niece, Carlene Pine, nephew, Peter O’Hara and many cousins. He was also the brother of the late Charles Szymkowicz.

His family will receive relatives and friends Thursday, February 19, 2015 from 5:00 to 7:30 pm in the WARING-SULLIVAN HOME OF MEMORIAL TRIBUTE AT CHERRY PLACE, 178 Winter St., Fall River with a Service of Remembrance at 7:30 pm. Private burial at the MA National Cemetery in Bourne. Visit www.waring-sullivan .com for tributes & directions.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to support cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via www.dana-farber.org/gift in memory of Stanley Szymkowicz. Please direct your gift to support the Melanoma Fund.