Stanley A. Kniezewski | Engineer and veteran, 87

Stanley A. "Stosh" Kniezewski, 87, of Jeffersonville, a retired radio engineer and decorated World War II veteran, died Wednesday, May 26, at home.

Mr. Kniezewski enlisted in the Army Air Force after graduating from Conshohocken High School. During ground fighting in the South Pacific, he helped crew rescue planes and dodged bullets to evacuate the wounded, daughter Sharon Cryer said. Later, he was a radio operator and cartographer on Guam, where the Seabees built five airfields. He received several medals, including a Bronze Star.

During the Korean War, Mr. Kniezewski was stationed at Larson Air Force Base in Washington state.

After his discharge from active service, he graduated from the Philadelphia Wireless Technical Institute. For 27 years he worked for Narco Scientific, a manufacturer of aircraft radios in Fort Washington. He retired in 1987 as radio service manager.

Mr. Kniezewski was an animal lover, a golfer, and a gardener. A Phillies fan, he took his children and their friends to games at Connie Mack Stadium years ago, his daughter said, and in his 80s attended games at Citizens Bank Park.

In addition to his daughter, Mr. Kniezewski is survived by his wife of 55 years, Therese Soroka Kniezewski; sons Michael, Stanley, and Gerard; daughters Mary Ellen Miller and Katrina; a sister; and 10 grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass was said Tuesday, June 1, at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Norristown, where Mr. Kniezewski and his wife had led "Life in the Spirit" seminars. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery, Norristown.