Stanley Baran, Jr., 89, of Pittsfield, passed away on Monday, September 19, 2022. Born in Adams, MA, on December 30, 1932, the son of the late Stanley and Katherine Wojtusiak Baran, he was a 1950 graduate of the former Adams High School.

A four-year Navy Veteran of the Korean War, he served most of that time aboard the destroyer USS Mullany (DD528), known as "the ship that outsailed time", as an electronic technician.

Stan then attended the University of Massachusetts, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering (Magna cum Laude) in 1961. He also received a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University in 1966.

In 1993, after 33 years of service, Stan retired from the General Electric Ordnance Department, where he worked on several engineering and management assignments that were primarily associated with the Navy Fleet Ballistic Missile and Armed Vehicle programs. In 1986, Stan was named the Manager of Engineering, in which capacity he worked until his retirement. Earlier in his career, he was employed by GTE as a senior design engineer.

Stan was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church. He was a member of the GE Quarter Century Club, the Pensioners Club, and the Elfun Society. Stan stayed very active in retirement, directing his energy to other pursuits which included volunteering as a Tanglewood gate attendant, being a poll warden, and acting as a Southview Condominium Board member. He was an avid reader and walker.

Stan leaves behind his wife of 62 years, the love of his life, the former Janice M. Larkin, whom he married in Springfield, MA, on June 4, 1960. He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, David S. and Coleen Baran of Southlake, TX, and Richard L. and Jeanne Baran of Irvine, CA., as well as his daughter, Nancy Jo Baran and her partner, Kris Fisher of Napa, CA. Stan also leaves behind his brother, Doctor Daniel T. Baran, of Shrewsbury, MA, as well as his six grandchildren- Caitlin, Nicole, Jeffrey, Alexa, Steven, and Tyler Baran, and two great grandchildren, Liam and Corinna.

Besides his parents, Stanley was predeceased by his sister, Elaine B. Uchman, who passed away in 2003.

Funeral Notice:

At his request, funeral services for Stanley will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to St. Stanislaus School in Adams in care of the Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North St, Pittsfield MA 01201. Please visit www.dwyerfuneral.com to leave condolences and remembrances.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Berkshire Eagle on Sep. 24, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Stanley Baran

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8 Entries

Jim Gray, Blacksburg, VA

May 24, 2023

In 1968, as a newly employed US Government employee at the Naval Weapons Laboratory in Dahlgren, VA, I was sent to Pittsfield to do a 2-month assignment at GE working under Stan. We were working in the onboard fire control for the Poseidon missile project. Stan was smart, funny,and a great leader and made my stay with GE an experience I treasure. I subsequently worked with Stan as NWL and GE coordinated efforts to deploy Poseidon. Over the years, I have frequently quoted things Stan said to me.

In 1976 I left NWL, and my wife an I joined the Peace Corps. Over the years, I thought a lot about Stan and the other people I worked with at GE--but especially Stan. It says a lot about the man that he positively impacted my life and that I still remembered him after more than 55 years. This morning, I was sorting out old papers, and came documents from my time in Pittsfield prompting me to wonder about him. I was very sorry to that he had so recently passed and especially sorry that sorry that I never took the time to look him ups and say thanks. My sympathies to the family and to all those who knew and loved Stan. Jim Gray

John Dadak

November 15, 2022

I worked with and for Stan for many years. He was always supportive of my efforts and commended me on many occasions. GE was fortunate to have him as one of their managers as he was certainly one of the best and always held in high esteem by all those that knew him. And now the good Lord has him on his team.

Bernie Ventresca

September 27, 2022

It is so sad when you loose someone you worked with for over 30 years. He was always so supportive. I will always appreciate the time spent working with you.

Eleanor Persip

September 25, 2022

Jan,
Please accept my most heartful sympathy for your loss My yhoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
He fought a good fight and now the battle is done.
He is gone from sight, but will not be forgotten
May he rest in peace.

Ellie Persip

Carol Perrault-Wells

September 25, 2022

To Jan and the entire Family:

There are those individuals who profoundly influence our lives...father, brother, teacher, coach...people who play a silent but powerful role in shaping who we become as human beings. Stan Baran was once such person to me. I came to Stan´s office as a 20-year-old new hire who possessed a smart mouth and no fear. I thought I was funny and could do no wrong. Mr. Baran promptly and frequently reminded me that I was both woefully insolent and hopelessly incorrect most of the time. My dad was overjoyed that I was in the hands of a tough Navy guy who could quickly help me see the error of my overconfident ways. I went from impudent child to responsible competent professional employee during the 13 years that I worked for Stan. I not only developed an understanding of how fear could be a positive motivator but I also learned how to cultivate trust and respect for a formidable boss like Stan Baran. He had a lasting impact on me, and I am a better person for having known him. After I developed a serious autoimmune illness that deeply affected my health and work life, I got to see a side of Stan that few other employees witnessed. At one particularly difficult time when navigating stairs became physically unbearable and lengthy construction projects severely limited in-plant parking for those with medical passes, Stan selflessly offered his spot for me to use indefinitely. To this day, that generous act remains one of the kindest acts ever shown to me in support of my illness. When I suffered setbacks, Stan always made a point of stopping by my desk to see how I was doing. I can only imagine how big a heart he had for his children and grandchildren. My heart breaks for their loss. I thank the love of Stan´s life, his amazing wife Jan, for sharing not only her husband with all of us but also her similar outstanding sense of humor and stalwart dedication to him. Jan, I will always remember how, at the end of a well-fought but eventual loss of Wahconah´s boys basketball team in a game against your son´s school, you said to me: "The better team won." Stan was a tough but incredibly fair judge of character. We all won for having him in our lives.

VINCENT ZAJAC

September 25, 2022

TO THE FAMILY I OFFER MY SYMPATHY FOR YOUR LOSS. RECENTLY FOR INTERNET SECURITY I WAS ASKED TO NAME MY BEST CHILDHOOD FRIEND. I NAMED STANLEY BARAN. A PERFECT TIME TO SHARE SCHOOL AND SOCIAL EXPERIENCE WITH. ALWAYS SET A GOOD EXAMPLE.

John and Luisa Economou

September 24, 2022

Janice: We were saddened to hear this news. Stan had an impact on many lives and John will always remember a man who was a respected leader and mentor and later on as a friend who had a great sense of humor.
Prior to that, I too, had fond memories during my school years of a wonderful couple who were a fine example to all. May Stan rest in peace, and our thoughts and prayers are with you. Our deepest condolences to the entire family.

Jeff and Lisa cantarella

September 24, 2022

Mr and Mrs Baran
Was always my pleasure to send you a batch of Whoopi´s pies. Your birthday batch,
Put a smile on your face and ours. Rest In Peace our friend. Straight in the arms of God. And Mrs. Baran and family, you loved him so. And it showed.
God Bless.
The Cantarella Family

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