Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

St. Matthias Catholic Church

Stanley Thomas Krawczewicz (Stash) died peacefully in his sleep on December 31, 2024, less than two weeks after his 96th birthday. Stanley was born in Braddock, PA, to Julian Krawczewicz and Victoria Malinowska, who immigrated from Poland in 1910 and 1911, respectively. He was the second youngest of eight predeceased siblings (Sophie, Helen, Jane, Edward, Stella, Cecelia, and Eugene). 

He lived a wonderful life, steadfastly focused on his large family and lifelong friends. As a teenager, Stanley was the “Prez” of seventeen friends (Club 17). The club headquarters was in an alley behind the rowhouses where the Krawczewiczs live. The Club 17 members remained lifelong friends of Stanley and his family. They traveled and explored the east coast in several junky Model A’s that Stanley somehow got running. They formed close bonds and they took care of each other. 

Stanley was drafted into the Korean War and served over 12 tough months five miles from the DMZ. After returning from the war, Stanley went to the University of Pittsburg and graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering under the G.I. bill. He was the first in his family to earn a college degree. Shortly after graduating, Stanley married Dolores Lewandowski from McKeesport, PA, in 1957. 

Stash and his beloved wife Dolores moved to Washington, D.C., for a job at the U.S. Patent Office. They had four children: Louanne (Matt) Myers,  Mark (Lynn), Thomas (Chris), and William (Mary). The essence of Stanley is he was both an engineer and an artist. He could fix or build anything and solve problems with resiliency and grit. Every room of his home was filled with music. He also felt compelled to help people who faced injustice. He passionately raised his children to do the same. The family blossomed for the next 27 years until the untimely passing of his beloved wife, Dolores, in 1984. Stanley retired from the Patent Office two years later as a Patent Judge.

Stanley handled this great sorrow with incredible grace, strength, and determination. 
Dolores’s mother (Julia Lewandowski) lived with Stanley for the next 13 years to help the family. He immersed himself in his family, and not surprisingly, a little of his silly yet funny humor began to shine through.

Stanley is survived by nine grandchildren:  Jill  (Ryan) Thompson, Manteo, NC; Thomas Krawczewicz (Danielle) Thompson, PA; Nicole Krawczewicz, Seattle, Washington; Brendan Krawczewicz Charleston, SC; Ryan Krawczewicz Lake Tahoe, NV, Kira Myers Baltimore MD,  Christopher Myers Arlington VA, Michelle Moseley Baltimore MD and Jay Moseley (Kristen) Leesburg VA and Dolores Krawczewicz Severna Park, MD. Stanley is also survived by two (2) great-grandchildren, Ellidy Thompson Manteo, NC, and Lydia Moseley Leesburg, VA. His most commendable accomplishment in life was his family and friends.

At age 74, Stash was blessed to meet the second love of his life, Dolores Kopchak, Linden, NJ. For the next 22 years, Dolores and Stash’s partnership brought great joy to them and their families. The magical place they shared together was a cabin (never quite finished but a team project) in northeast Pennsylvania. Dolores’s family loved Stash as one of their own, as he loved them, too. 

Services will be held at St. Mathias Catholic Church in Lanham, MD, on Saturday, January 18, at 10:30 a.m. A viewing will be held from 9:30 until 10:30 at the Church prior to the Mass. Burial will be on Monday, January 20, at St. Mary’s Polish Cemetery in McKeesport, PA. 

In lieu of flowers, please remember his character by helping a family member, a friend, or a complete stranger who is in need -  Pay it Forward.

Please take a moment to leave a condolence for the family by visiting the Memories link on this page.

Stanley Thomas Krawczewicz

Stanley Thomas Krawczewicz

Stanley Krawczewicz Services

Visitation

Mass of Christian Burial