John C. Stawarky Jr.

John Carl Stawarky, Jr. died on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at home surrounded by his family.  John “Jack” Stawarky was 92 years young.  Jack was predeceased by his wife, Marjorie Nelson Stawarky; twin brother, James Edward Stawarky; and sister, Jeannette Stawarky Simko. The son of John Carl Stawarky, Sr. and Lillian Roscoe Stawarky, Jack was born and raised in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Jack was a graduate of Warren Harding High School and Colgate University.  Upon graduation from Colgate, Jack taught at Williston Academy in Easthampton, Massachusetts before he enlisted and served in the United States Army Signal Corps for two years, attaining the rank of Sergeant at White Sands Proving Ground, New Mexico. Jack later moved to the Nichols section of Trumbull upon his marriage to Marjorie. 

Jack was Vice President of Human Resources at Moore Special Tool Company, Inc., a specialty machine tool and die company, which he served for 44 years. Jack garnered respect as he was always fully present with employees, listened to understand, and provided guidance and support while standing firm in his values and making tough choices to support the collective organization. Jack led not only with strength and conviction, but also with his whole heart.

Jack’s personal creed was “service above self”, and this guided his actions each and every day for his entire life. Jack’s community service legacy is truly phenomenal, investing over 65 years in serving those in the Greater Bridgeport area.  Through a variety of leadership roles in service organizations, Jack focused on strengthening education and opportunities for youth, economic development, innovation, industry partnerships, and community building. His roles included: Building the Rotary Club of Bridgeport to the highest levels of participation and excellence in the district as its President; Assistant District Governor for 3 District Governors for Rotary International, District 7980 (Southern CT); Vice Chairman and Charter Member of the Connecticut Vocational Clubs of America (VICA) Foundation Board; Chairman of the YMCA Industrial Recreation Council; President of the Bridgeport Area Contributions Committee; Vice President of the Fairfield County Council, Boy Scouts of America; Chairman of the Treamone District, Boy Scouts of America (North Bridgeport, Trumbull, Easton, Monroe, Newtown); Chairman of the Blood Recruitment Committee of the Bridgeport Chapter, American Red Cross; Secretary of the Bridgeport YMCA Branch Board of Managers; Advisory Council, University of Bridgeport; President’s Advisory Council, Bridgeport Engineering Institute; Chairman of the Human Resources and Training Committee of the National Machine Tool Builders Association; President of the Greater Bridgeport Personnel Association; Active member of St. Catherine of Siena Church for 60 years, serving as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Altar Server, Religious Education teacher, Parish Picnic Chairman, member of the choir and Knights of Columbus.

Upon retirement, Jack continued to serve, whether it be mentoring young people, serving meals at a soup kitchen, giving another senior citizen a ride to a medical appointment, or painting a local school. As president of his high school graduating class, he nurtured and marshalled the efforts of a long standing reunion committee and kept the community connected by inviting all classmates to an annual potluck picnic at his home over the past 15 years. This speaks volumes about how much he cared for and invested in community, and how seriously he took his leadership role in gathering, engaging, and inspiring others. His outreach transcended age; known to many as “Uncle Jack”, he embraced young and old alike. His kindness knew no bounds, and his extraordinary spirit and strength of character drew people of all ages to him.

Jack received the following honors for his service: Paul Harris Fellow plus five Sapphire Awards, Rotary International Foundation; Silver Beaver Award, Pomperaug Council, Boy Scouts of America; Outstanding Service Award, Connecticut Association Vocational Clubs of America; Clara M. Stern Community Award, Council of Presidents; Donald A. Adams Memorial Award, Rotary International District 7980; Norman Parsells Award, Rotary Club of Bridgeport; St. George Boy Scouts of America Award, Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport; Outstanding Young Man of the Year Award, Bridgeport Junior Chamber of Commerce.  Beyond any award Jack received, he was most proud of his children, Karin E. Stawarky and Nancy A. Stawarky, and showed his boundless, unconditional love for them in a myriad of ways each day of his life.

The many loving memories of Jack will be cherished by his daughters and by all those who were fortunate to have known him. He will be deeply missed. He had a unique gift for always being there for those who needed someone to see them, listen to them, and believe in them.  His hugs, handshake, and radiant smile enveloped those around him in love.  

Family and friends may call on Friday, January 20, 2023, from 2:00 to 4:00  p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Redgate-Hennessy Funeral Home, Four Gorham Place, Trumbull. Friends and family are invited to join a Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Catherine of Siena, Trumbull, on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Nichols Farms Burial Grounds in Trumbull. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the John C. Stawarky, Jr. '53 Memorial Fund at Colgate University. The Memorial Fund has been created in Jack’s name to recognize a student who exemplifies the spirit of dedication to community that Jack embodied. Checks should be made payable to Colgate University and mailed to: Colgate University P.O. Box 313 Canajoharie, NY 13317-0313. Gifts may also be made online at www.colgate.edu/makeagift or by calling 800-668-4428.