Stanley Albert "Stan" Mikanowicz, 78, of Lakeland, Florida, passed away on January 12, 2026. Born on March 17, 1947, in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Stanley A. Mikanowicz and Elizabeth Stavinski Mikanowicz. He graduated from Saint Pius X High School in 1965 before attending technical college to study electrical systems.
A proud veteran, Stan served in the United States Air Force, attaining the rank of sergeant. During his service, he was deployed to Vietnam, where he worked as a flight instrumentation technician supporting combat aircraft.
Following his military service, Stan built a long and dedicated civilian career with the U.S. Department of Defense. He worked as an electrical technician for more than twenty years, beginning his career at the Naval Air Development Center in Warminster, Pennsylvania, before transferring to the Naval Air Warfare Center at Patuxent River, Maryland. His children affectionately called him "Stan the Weatherman" for his work maintaining the airfield weather systems used by air traffic controllers.
Stan married his beloved wife, Kathleen A. Trainor, in 1980 at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania. He was preceded in death by his cherished son, Michael Anthony Mikanowicz, as well as by his parents.
He is survived by his loving wife, Kathleen; his beloved daughters, Bethany Marie Mikanowicz Cathcart and her husband, Charles E. Cathcart III, of North Richland Hills, Texas, and Natalia Marie Mikanowicz of Lakeland, Florida; and his treasured granddaughter, Madelyn Rose Cathcart. He is also survived by his brothers, Ronald J. Mikanowicz and his wife, Rebecca, of Pennsburg, Pennsylvania, and Dennis M. Mikanowicz of Pompano Beach, Florida, along with five nieces and one nephew.
In his younger years, Stan enjoyed playing golf, bowling, and softball. He loved watching all sports and was a zealous Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies fan. He enjoyed cooking for his family and was known for his great breakfasts and homemade pizza and stromboli. He loved the music and cars of his youth and restored a 1963 Chevrolet Nova Super Sport. He especially enjoyed traveling to his favorite destinations, most notably Wildwood, New Jersey; Disney World; and St. Augustine, Florida.
A Catholic Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church at 210 W Lemon St, Lakeland, Florida.