Stanley Baran, WWII Veteran of D-day and Iwo-Jima Battles

Stanley J. Baran of Wallington, died on May 4, 2012, he was 88. Stanley, a first generation American and son of Polish immigrants was born to John and Magdalena (Kwasnik) Baran of Passaic. He was a 1941 graduate of Passaic H.S., where he played varsity football and was an original member of the Passaic HS Band playing the trumpet.

During WWII Stanley honorably served in the US Navy on the Battleship USS Texas, serving in both the Atlantic theater at the D-Day / Normandy invasion and the battle of Cherbourg. He then served in the Pacific theater in the battles of Iwo-Jima and Okinawa.

After returning from war he attended Alliance College in Cambridge Springs, PA, earning an A.A.S. Degree in 1947, in Designing/Tool & Die Making which he did throughout his professional career. While attending college, he became a mentor for a group of Polish war orphans, teaching them Industrial Arts, shop/theory and the American way of life.

In 1948 Stanley married his beloved wife, Eleanor Janowicz, and the inseparable couple went on to enjoy 64 years of marriage.

Stanley was a tireless community volunteer who participated in an astonishing number of civic organizations and activities. His coaching skills included: Little League, Amateur Athletic Union swimmers, swim instructor at the Passaic-Clifton YMCA, organizing and conducting Boy Scout Troop 44, and the Most Sacred Heart Church band. He volunteered for 22-years for TCE (Tax Consulting for the Elderly), helping senior citizens complete and file their income tax returns; SHIP (State Health Ins Program) and the American Cancer Society. He helped establish the Prostate Cancer Support Group at Passaic General Hosp. Stanley was also a member of the Wallington Geezers, Pavlic-Koster Post 2640 VFW, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 15 Little Ferry, Clifton Toastmasters Club, Wallington Centennial Committee and the Executive Committee of the AARP. He was honored by the community for raising funds to install 15 memorial benches at the Sam Nelkin County Park in Wallington.

After his retirement in 1986 from the Atlantic Can Company of Passaic, he attended computer classes at both Felician and Bergen Community Colleges, and joined a number of computer clubs. Already in his 60’s, he introduced many friends and family members to computing and the Internet, advising them on their equipment selection and troubleshooting problems. As president of the Wallington AARP, he helped organize computer classes for senior citizens taught by Wallington High School students. He was a prolific email correspondent, frequently sending articles, puzzles, jokes and his political observations to an ever-growing mailing list of family and friends. He had his iPad with him in the hospital to the end.

In addition to his devoted wife of 64 years, Stanley leaves behind three children and their spouses: daughter Barbara Fox and Daniel of Ramsey, NJ, son John Baran and Tola of Westfield, NJ and son Mark Baran and Xiaolei of Greenwich, CT. He also leaves four grandchildren and their spouses: Heather Fox, Justin and Gassia Fox, Sean and Jesmey Baran, Luke Baran, and great-granddaughter Ava Fox. He is also survived by his brother Thaddeus Baran of Clifton and many nieces and nephews.

Visiting Wed. May 9th, 2-4 & 7-9 PM, Warner-Wozniak Funeral Service 80 Midland Ave. Wallington. Funeral Mass 11 AM Thursday, Most Sacred Heart of Jesus 127 Paterson Ave. Wallington. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in his name to Most Sacred Heart School, 6 Bond St. Wallington, NJ 07057:http://www.mshschool.org/. For more information and to share condolences: WarnerAndWozniak.com

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