Stanley Zajdel
April 17, 2027 ~ September 22, 2017
ZAJDEL-Stanley, of St. James, NY, on September 22, 2017 at the age of 90. Proud WWII Veteran U.S. Navy, Retired Physical Education teacher at Commack South High School and former football coach at Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy & C.W. Post. Stanley lived the life of Christ in his service to helping others. Beloved husband of the late Audrey. Loving father of Paula Davey, Ruth Ann Greenbaum, the late Amy, Mark (Rose), Scott (Carmella), Dana (Colin) Ingarozza, Gloria (John) Vetter, the late Teddy, and Mary (Matthew) Reinhard. Cherished grandfather of 24 and great-grandfather of 7. Visitation will be at The Branch Funeral Home, 190 E. Main St., Smithtown, NY on Thursday, 4-9 pm. Funeral Mass Friday, 11:15 am at Sts. Philip & James R.C. Church, St. James, NY. Interment services will be private. Rather than sending flowers, please make donations to donations to: Missionaries of Charity 335 East 145th St. Bronx, NY 10451
Stan was such a wonderful man who just happened to be my uncle. He was loved for his kindness to everyone. ‘His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! ‘ Matthew 25:23
As I just found out about Stan’s passing – I wanted to reflect back to 1971 – and remember that as my Gym Teacher back in Commack – he did a great job in teaching all of us the fundamentals of ‘sport’.He wasn’t flashy, he was not 6’4 220 – he was ‘Mr. Zajdel’.My favorite remembrance of Stan was actually very Funny – he always stressed safety and the importance of guys wearing a jock strap – so he used to have all the guys line up before class and he would say ‘ Guys – when I come around – snap your jock! This way he knew we were safe!He was a funny guy!My other memory of Stan is that I think the other gym teachers were a little jealous – but proud of the fact that Stan played for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He never mentioned it – but the other teachers did.Rest Stan – you deserve it – thanks for 4 great years in High School.Jeff Haney