Obituary of Stanley Mroczek

Stanley J. Mroczek, a Grasmere resident and proud U.S. Army veteran, died on May 2, 2025 at Staten Island University Hospital, leaving behind his loving wife, Barbara, just two weeks shy of their 61st wedding anniversary. He was 82.

Mr. Mroczek leaves a legacy of humor, imagination and generosity of spirit, qualities that he poured into his two sons, daughter-in-law, and three granddaughters.

Born on August 13, 1942, in the Lower East Side of Manhattan to Stanley and Olga Mroczek, Mr. Mroczek met his future bride, Barbara, when they were 15 and 13, respectively, falling in love at first sight.

"I'll never forget that moment-she was definitely the most beautiful girl I've ever seen," he often said at family gatherings. "She was the most breathtaking woman in the world - still is - and possessed all of the good, ideal characteristics a person could possibly have, making it easy to fall in love with her."

They were married on May 23, 1964, on Mrs. Mroczek's 20th birthday, and soon after settled in Grasmere, before the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge was built, in search of a "better quality of life."

Over the next 60 years, they raised two sons: Dr. Michael Mroczek, a dentist, and Dr. Ken Mroczek, an orthopedic surgeon.

Born with a curious mind, Mr. Mroczek's passion for technology led him to pursue studies in computers at the former Staten Island Community College in the 1970s and embark on a successful career as a computer programmer and systems analyst.

Over the next several decades, he worked as an independent contractor and consultant for myriad companies, before his retirement in 2010. He also taught third-grade Sunday School Religious Education for almost a decade at Holy Rosary School in the 1970s.

When his sons were young, Mr. Mroczek was known for his countless East Coast road trips, exploring Howe Caverns in Upstate New York, eating at Good N' Plenty in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, enjoying Niagara Falls on Maid of the Mist, discovering Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C., going on nature walks in New Hampshire, and learning American history in Pennsylvania and Boston.

In later years, Mr. and Mrs. Mroczek traveled the world, always with their son Ken and different permutations of family and friends, visiting France, Czech Republic, Italy, Belize, Turkey, England, Colombia, the French Riviera, Scotland, Ireland, Monaco, Vatican City, Austria, Slovakia and Montenegro.

"Our dad taught us about love because he loved our mother deeply. He was a devoted husband and showed us every day what true love looks like," said his son, Michael. "He was a great dad, too.

"Anytime Kenny or I needed him for anything, wherever he was, working on a project or contract, he would drop everything and be there for us. He stressed the importance of family, education and hard work. His love and encouragement were unwavering our whole lives."

In addition to his wife and two sons, Mr. Mroczek is survived by his grandchildren (Michael and Gracelyn's children), Charista, Tatiana and Angelica Mroczek, sister Lorraine David, and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents and sisters Delores Barbi and Olga Bianco.

Per Mr. Mroczek's request, a private cremation service, was handled by Matthew Funeral Home, Willowbrook.