Stanley John Zapatka Jr.

Husband, father, grandfather, uncle, Naval Officer, teacher. A man who spent 30 years in the US Navy, graduated from Holy Cross, ODU, and Mount St. Mary's. Traveled the globe while serving the country, to eventually retire to start a new profession, teaching.

Fifteen years at Landstown Middle School, with his last year at St. John The Apostle School. Stanley was able to teach multiple generations of students, and he was one of the original teachers to join Landstown Middle when it first opened. I vividly remember past students running up to him to give him a hug at the K Mart or Pembroke Mall. This was followed by a 15 minute diatribe about how he was the “coolest teacher they ever had” and how he used to pass out king size snickers bars to his star pupils, or how he taught them how to use chopsticks. This came full circle when the hospice nurse assigned to his case happened to be a former student. This was just one example of the kind of man he was and the impact he had on others.

He was the kind of father who if you said you liked space he said why don't you be an astronaut? Can't pick yourself up? Don't worry he could. Don't think you're good enough ? Don't worry he will believe enough for the both of you. He truly wanted to see others succeed and would do whatever he could to help you get there. You could feel how much he loved you in every accomplishment.

He is survived by his wife Eileen, his children Kathryn, Danny, William, and Matthew; He was preceded by his son Stephen. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Lezlee, Jaaron, Julia, Alex, and Noah.

Visitation will be held at Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home, 601 North Witchduck Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23462, US, on July 17, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, followed by a Funeral Service at Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home at 2:00 pm.

Final resting place will be Arlington National Cemetery. And in true Pollock fashion; Na zdrowie.