Stanley R. “Wiskers” Zaweski died at Peconic Bay Medical Center March 24. He was 88.
He was born in Jamesport on December 15, 1931, the son of Stanley R. Sr. and Bertha (Glover) Zaweski.
He graduated from Mattituck High School in 1947. He married Charlotte Sepko on January 18, 1953 at St. Isidore R.C. Church.
Mr. Zaweski met Charlotte in his senior year of high school in Mattituck. He often said she was the backbone of the family. They were married 59 years when she dies in 2012. Mr. Zaweski missed her terribly every day since, according to family members.
Predeceased by his brother Frank in 2013 and his son David in 1959, Mr. Zaweski is survived by his sons Richard (Patty) of Naples, Florida and John (Tracy) of Hampton Bays. He is also survived by five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and his brother Albie (Roberta) of St. Petersburg, Florida.
Mr. Zaweski’s father died when he was 17 and he left school to work on the family farm and support his young mother and two little brothers, Albie and Frank.
At one point, he ran the largest farm on Long Island.
He always loved the Yankees. Just before his father died, at age 17, he tried out for the Yankees as a catcher, but knew he had to take care of his farm and family. He was one of the last “big time” potato farmers, his family said.
Mr. Zaweski loved going to the Jamesport Fire Department coffee room. He was the longest living charter member and would have celebrated his 71st anniversary on March 30.
He joined the fire department to fight fires and help the community. Always a member of Company #1, he rose to the rank of captain but was never interested in chief or commissioner, as he was too busy on the farm and just wanted to fight fires.
Mr. Zaweski was also a volunteer at Peconic Bay Medical Center. In lieu of Flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the PBMC Foundation.
Services will be held at a later date.
Arrangements were entrusted to McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead.
27east on Apr 14, 2020