Stanley M. Soja

Stanley Martin Soja, 93 years young, passed away peacefully at his home on April 18, 2015 surrounded by his loving family, with devoted wife Stella Helen Soja (Smola) at his side. Born in Wilbraham MA, to Aniela and Marcin Soja, Stanley remained a lifelong resident of Indian Orchard and a parishioner of Immaculate Conception church. After graduation from Springfield Trade School, Stanley joined the U.S. Army Air Corps, training as a B17 engine mechanic at the Lockheed factory, Seymour Johnson Field SC before being stationed at Hamilton Field CA. Stanley was a 40 year employee of the Springfield Street Railway Co. and a proud member of both the Polish American Veterans Club of Wilbraham and American Legion Post 277. The Polish National Alliance would be a major focus for the rest of Stanley's life. Elected President of PNA Lodge 1484 in 1965, Stanley would rise through the ranks to be elected Commissioner of PNA District 1, and would serve as three-time president of PNA Council 62. PNA and civic awards include Council 62 Father of the Year (1983), District 1 Man of the Year (2000), Bronze Legion of Merit (1995), Silver Legion of Merit (2014) and Polish American Congress Man of the Year (1998).

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 70 years, Stella, and their six children: Phyllis (Daniel) Balicki of Westerly RI, Stanley J. Soja of Indian Orchard, Lori (the late Albert) Sganga of Virginia Beach VA, Frances Picariello of Sandwich MA, Claudia (Earl) LaFlamme of Feeding Hills MA, and Jeffrey J. Soja of Wilbraham; his 11 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

Stanley was an avid Red Sox fan, enjoyed a good game of golf and was never at a loss for sharing a good joke.

Calling hours will be Thursday, April 23, 2014 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Nowak Funeral & Cremation Services, 15 Ludlow Ave, Indian Orchard. Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 24, 2014 assembling at 10:00 a.m. at Nowak Funeral & Cremation Services and proceeding to Immaculate Conception Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Interment with military honors will occur at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam on Friday at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Stanley's name to the Polish Center of Discovery and Learning at Elms College, 291 Springfield St., Chicopee MA 01013, or to your favorite charity.