Stanley M. Sokolowski

Stanley M. Sokolowski, 90, took leave of this life due to natural causes on Sunday, April 18, 2010.

No public service will be held. Family and close friends will be notified of a private memorial to occur in May.

Stanley was born on July 5, 1919, in Chicago, Illinois, to Michal and Stanislawa Sokolowski. He lived a rich and varied life - its trajectory taking him from childhood in Warsaw, Poland through his prime of life in Washington, D.C., and ending in Charlottesville after a 35-year retirement.

Stanley's World War II experiences covered its geographical breadth. As a university student in Warsaw, he participated in the Polish resistance to Nazi occupation, was eventually captured by Germany, and subsequently returned to the United States in a prisoner exchange. Called upon by the United States Army, he then served in the war's Pacific theater.

After the war he joined the United States Information Agency's "Voice of America," becoming lead producer of news content for its Soviet programming during the "cold war" years.

Stanley enjoyed music, art, architecture, photography, books, puzzles, and deep reflection. An avid winter sportsman, he counted cross-country, downhill skiing and ice hockey among his favorite athletic pursuits. He loved to travel and was drawn to the many diverse cultures and languages of the world. But perhaps most of all, he appreciated nature.

Father, husband, grandfather, brother, friend and colleague, he was a kind and loving man who was never happier than when sharing stories, jokes, and good conversation.

He is survived by his wife, Marita; son, Michael, daughter-in-law, Mary, and granddaughters, Elise and Stella, all of Charlottesville; and cousin, Janek Glinski and family of Warsaw, Poland.

In lieu of flowers, please take a small step of your choice toward making this a more just and peaceful world.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.