Obituary of Leo Joseph Stanszak

Leo Joseph “Stan” Stanszak, 81, passed away peacefully at home on May 31, 2023, surrounded by his family, as he wished.

Stan, a Town of Poughkeepsie resident, was born in New York City on November 8, 1941.  After moving a few times as a young child, he spent his formative years and the remainder of his life in Dutchess County.

The Arlington High School graduate served in the United States Navy beginning in 1962, as a diver.  His military service took him to Vietnam before returning stateside and was assigned to the White House where he served while JFK was President.  His tour of duty ended in 1966.

Stan returned to Dutchess County after his tour of duty and married the love of his life, Dottie Ralston, on January 7, 1967.  The two embarked on a life together and their son Mark was born in May of 1968.

With a strong drive to provide for his family, Stan began work at the Town of LaGrange Highway Department before going to work for the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office.  He then went to work in security at IBM followed by work at IBM Emergency Control.  Stan is most noted for his decades of work at the job he loved; Court Officer at the Town of Poughkeepsie Justice Court.  His decades of service in maintaining order in the town’s court were supposed to draw to a close in 2010.  Stan, however, loved the job too much and remained as a fixture in the court until his health issues became too much to overcome in 2022.

Stan was known for his incredible work ethic and worked many hours while still finding the time to serve as a volunteer firefighter with the Arlington Fire District where he eventually became a life member and commissioner in the district.

Stanszak was an avid golfer and played in many different recreational leagues while also enjoying time on the links with his son.  The energetic Stanszak also served as a coach for the Beekman girls’ softball league and Town of Poughkeepsie minor and Little League teams. His coaching also carried over to the City of Poughkeepsie where he coached a senior league team in the city.  He also served as a player/coach in the Budweiser Recreational League followed by playing in the Over 60 softball league.

Softball and golf weren’t enough for the life member of the BPOE Elks Lodge 275 as he also enjoyed bowling and knocked down pins in both the Elks league and the firemens’ league.

The love of his family, sports, and his job with the court also extended to his canine companions.  His dog Bentley survives with his wife Dottie at their home in Poughkeepsie.

In addition to Dottie and Bentley, Stan is survived by his son Mark, and daughter-in-law Cindy, who Stan considered his daughter.  Sally Kerr, the Godmother of Mark, is also considered a member of the immediate family, and Stan always treated her as such.

Services for Stan Stanszak are being arranged by the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home.  A wake will be held for Stan on Friday, June 9, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home at 371 Hooker Avenue in Poughkeepsie.

A brief memorial service is being held at the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home 371 Hooker Ave. Poughkeepsie, New York on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. prior to interment at the Wappingers Rural Cemetery with Military Honors.

If you would like to leave an online condolence, please visit our website at www.doylefuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made in Stan’s name to the Hudson Valley Animal Rescue and Sanctuary or the Hospice of Dutchess County.