Stanley Nicholas Palys, 65, died Sunday, August 17, 2025. Born in Panama City, Panama, he was the son of Stanley Nicholas Palys and Mary Sue England. He was raised in Pennsylvania, but spent his early childhood years in Japan, where his father traveled to play Major League Baseball. He went on to study at Virginia Tech where he received his degree in aerospace engineering. He ultimately settled in Hampton, VA and was a longtime engineer at North Wind in Newport News, VA. In his words, however, his most important job was being a father.
A consummate athlete, he took pride in being a lifelong runner and completed numerous marathons and ultramarathons. He was, most recently, the league manager for several CLUBWAKA sports where he excelled in pickleball, cornhole, volleyball, and bowling—he was all-in on anything he set his mind to. He was also an avid reader, geocacher, and found immense joy in traveling. His favorite destination—which he called the happiest place on earth—was Aruba, where he spent several weeks each year.
He will be remembered for his dependability, willingness to help others, kindness (even to strangers), quick wit, sarcastic humor, and keen knowledge of all-things math and numbers.
Stan is survived by his daughter, Allison Palys; his mother, Mary Sue England; and his siblings, Kenneth Palys and wife, Denise, Michael Palys and wife, Margaret, Stephen England and wife, Elisabeth, and Patricia Palys. He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews.
A formal service for Stan will be held at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home on August 28, 2025 at 4:00pm. An informal celebration of his life will be held at Sly Clyde Ciderworks following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family through their GoFundMe linked below. Alternatively, he would have loved for everyone to continue to uplift the community through organized sports, specifically the Hampton Roads CLUBWAKA league.
Click here to access the Gofundme
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