Stanley, 1 of 9 Monongah Brzuzy children, dies

Stanley Brzuzy, born in Monongah in 1939, passed away Saturday, April 26.

Brother Walter Brzuzy was Class of 1950.

Sister Freda Brzuzy Rogers was Class of 1945.

Brothers John Brzuzy of Richmond, Indiana, and Stephen of Grassy Run, Fairmont, survive.

They are among the 9 children of Wladyslaw “Walter” and Stephania Zuzak Brzuzy, who immigrated through Ellis Island, New York.

Stash is survived by his wife of 48 years, Sue Strawderman Brzuzy.

The Brzuzy family owned the PNA Tavern across from Thoburn School in Monongah, the site of many poker games and State Police raids when wives complained about their husbands losing their paychecks gambling.

Walter, an excellent baseball pitcher and basketball shooter from today’s 3-point range despite the lower Monongah High gym ceiling, ran the PNA for his dad in later years.

When I was Monongah High manager and insisted to Coach George Ross that I wanted to bat against Walter, he struck me out on three pitches – all curveballs – to the amusement of Coach Ross and the other players.

Walter passed away in 1986 in Monaca, Pennsylvania, where he lived for 30 years and coached the Monaca American Legion baseball team. He retired from Jones & Laughlin Steel’s blast furnace department.

Walter and wife Ruth Ann Butcher Brzuzy had a son and two daughters.

When the Brzuzy family moved from Monongah to Country Club Road in Fairmont, John became a star football and basketball player for Fairmont West. Even in Richmond, Indiana he is deeply involved in the Boys and Girls Clubs.

John was the passing leader for Fairmont State in 1953 and 1954 as the Falcons’ quarterback.  He was the total offense and scoring leader in 1954. In 1953 he threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Nick Moreman, former Fairmont East High star, against Salem College.

His other claims to fame were that he took the paddle away from the nun at Sts. Peter and Paul School and ran away and that, when a baseball hit him in the head on the playground, it changed directions 90 degrees and flew onto Church Street and then bounced into the hollow. That meant an extended recess while we went to look for the poor baseball. And it was my introduction to the term, “hard-headed Pollock.”

Stephen’s wife, Eva Blanche “Banny” Hostutler Brzuzy, passed away in 2010.

Stash’s daughter, Fairmont East and Fairmont State graduate and FirstEnergy contractor Karla Brzuzy of Fairmont, wrote that “Our very close family member Reverend Oliver Rowen will be doing the service for Daddy.”

She added: “The greatest man I’ve ever known earned his well-deserved reward. We celebrate the life of the best Daddy/Pappy/Husband we could have ever asked for.”

After the calling hours for Stash, Karla posted:

"I have never seen so much love in one room as I did last night for my Daddy!! WOW!! the visitation line was endless all day, Mom Kristie and I are excited to plant all the flowers in memory of our Dad, and we have more food than we can eat in a week!!


"Today and moving forward will be the hardest yet!! 

"Today, we lay my Daddy to rest for the last time!!
Thank you all so much again!!


"I am so honored and humbled to be the daughter of Stan Brzuzy, and yesterday was a true testament of all the lives he has touched!"

If you have memories of the extensive Brzuzy family, email John Olesky at jo4wvu@neo.rr.com and they will be added to this Monongah High Alumni blog article.

Stash’s obituary:

Stanley Stan Brzuzy

·        BORN: September 17, 1939

·        DIED: April 26, 2014

·        LOCATION: Fairmont, West Virginia

Stanley Brzuzy

Stanley Brzuzy, 74, of Bunner Ridge Community, soared into the arms of his Savior on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 12:10 am with his loves of his life by his side.

Stanley was a man of truth and love. He was a dedicated husband, father, Pappy and friend. He cherished the Catholic religion attending St Peter’s Catholic Church as a child and currently attending Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

His first job was at the age of 12 as a caddy at the Fairmont Field Club. Growing up on Country Club Road, his mom made him ride his bike or walk to work. This job fueled his passion for the game and then you could always find him on a golf course. Especially the 19th hole, as it never rained there.

Stan retired from Lucent Technologies/AT&T after 34 years of service. He served in the US Army and was stationed in Berlin, Germany. He loved to travel throughout Europe during his deployment.

He was born in Monongah on September 17, 1939 a son of the late Wladyslaw and Stephania (Zuzak) Brzuzy, both of whom immigrated through Ellis Island, New York.

Stan is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 48 years, Sue (Strawderman) Brzuzy; his two daughters, Kristie Solheim and her husband Brent of Fairmont and Karla Brzuzy also of Fairmont.

Pappy cherished following his grandkids. He rarely missed one of their sporting events until Cancer stole his energy. His very special grandchildren are, Jordane Brzuzy-Hill, Jasmin Johnson, Devon Johnson, Myles Johnson, Zoe Leonard, Jaida Johnson, Daxx Leonard, Roman Solheim and Braelyn Brzuzy-Sowell.

Also surviving are two brothers, John Brzuzy and Karen Rankin of Richmond, Indiana and Stephen Brzuzy of Grassy Run; a sister-in-law, Lucille Brzuzy of Fairmont and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Stanley was preceded in death by his sisters, Freda Rogers, Edith Bland and Laura Yereb; his brothers, Chester Brzuzy , Walter Brzuzy and Edwin Brzuzy; sisters -in-law and brothers-in-law, Eva Brzuzy, Robert Rogers, Ruth Ann Brzuzy, Ralph Yereb and Cecelia Brzuzy

Stanley's family would like to thank Dr. John Azar and Traci Tannehill and their entire staff. They treated him as a family member. His family is grateful also to the nursing staff on 3B at Fairmont General Hospital. They would also like to thank the one on one providers who sat with him, Carolyn, Molly, Lisa and Rachel.

Family and friends may call at the Carpenter & Ford Funeral Home 209 Merchant Street, Fairmont on Monday, from 1pm to 9pm. A Vigil Service will be held at the funeral home on Monday at 8pm by Father Walter M. Jagela and Sister Stella Cronauer.

Visitation will continue on Tuesday at the funeral home from 11am to 1pm. The funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday at 1pm with Rev. Oliver Rowen officiating.

Interment will follow at Mt. Zion Cemetery. Full Military Rites will be provided by the Marion County Veterans Council Honor Guard at graveside.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.carpenterandford.com