Stanley W. BEBYN

BEBYN, Stanley W.

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Mr. Stanis aw (Stanley) W. Bebyn, age 85, of 62 Bayberry Dr. Bristol, CT, beloved husband of the late Marie Bebyn, passed away Saturday, (June 18, 2011). Stanley was born in Bristol on May 2, 1926, the second child and oldest son of Stanis aw and Katharzyna (Nowak) Bebyn. His two younger brothers, Edward and Eugeniusz, both deceased, and his older surviving sister, Anna Toloski, were all born in Bristol as well. In 1932, when the country was in a deep depression , his father, Stanis aw lost his job. The family of six left America for Poland, in the hope of a better life, resettling on a farm near the city of Jab nowo, Poland. It was a happy time for the family, reuniting with other family members of the Bebyn and Nowak families. The farm in was productive enough to feed and clothe the family, providing a modest amount of comfort. The next few years brought much beauty to the family. Three more sisters were born in those first few years in Poland; Donusha Analewicz who lives in Terryville, CT, Helena Brodowska, who passed away a few years ago in Poland, and Urszula who died in 1939 forever five years old, who remained close to Stanley's heart right until his last breath.
In 1936 the family saw the rise of Nazism next door in Germany. The father of the family left for America with the hope of selling the farm and getting the family back there. Stanis aw senior put his eldest son, Stanley W. a ten year old boy, in charge, while he desperately tried to earn enough money to get his family back to America. Stanley W. assisted his mother, Katharzyna, in running the family farm for the next 3 years.
In June of 1939, unable to secure the finances he so desired to support his family back in Poland, Stanislaw Senior returned to be with his family. Months later the Nazis attacked Poland, and the family farm, being so close to the German border, became a territory at the front line where the Polish militia attempted to stop the advancing Nazis.
During World War II, as a 14 year boy, Stanley W. became a slave to a German man, Mashka, who was also living in Poland. Stanley W. was treated terribly, being denied food, and basic human necessities while being forced to work to sustain the livelihoods of Mashka's German family. On January 12, 1945, Mashka left his home in Poland and made his escape to Germany as the advancing Russian troops swiftly marched through Poland. Mashka took his family and property with him, including Stanley W. whom had come to be considered Mashka's property. On the night of January 23, after sustaining and overcoming many of the horrors one encounters in times of war, Stanley W. made his escape, hiding for many days in the pristine Borytochaskei forest. In April of 1945, after securing his safety from German soldiers, Stanley W. made his way back to the family farm in Jab nowo.
Upon Stanley W.'s return home, his youngest brother, Kazimiesz Bebyn, who survives and lives in Poland, was born. During the war years, two other brothers had been born; Roman Bebyn, who resides in Poland and Jerzek (Jerry) Bebyn, of Woonsocket, RI. At the end of the war, Stanley W. was 19-years-old.
Following the end of World War II, Stanley W. joined the Polish Melishia and was part of the security system of Jab nowo. His first job was at a grist mill where he quickly learned the workings of the mill and every aspect of its operation, inspiring him to later become such an excellent baker and chef to whom his children and grandchildren went for culinary advice.
In January 1946, Stanley W. returned to America, arriving in Bristol, CT, finding a job at the now defunct Ingraham Industries. He worked there during his entire career, rising to become a quality control leader. While there, he met Marie L. Dumais who became his wife and the mother of his four children, Stanley R., Michael J., Karen A. and Daniel R. Bebyn. Shortly after he was married, Stanley W. left America again to serve his country in the Army during the Korean War. Stanley W. returned to America from the war in 1952 and shortly thereafter, bought the house at 62 Bayberry Drive where he resided until his departure from this life. The next 30 years were a time of peace and happiness for Stanley W., as he and Marie brought up their family of 4 children. In 1982, Stanley W. lost the love of his life, whose memory he cherished until the end of his life. His dedication, perseverance, and love for his family were unwavering for the next 30 years. Four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren were born also during this time, to whom Stanley W. devoted his heart.
As a father, Stanley W. dedicated himself to his children from the start, providing them with both the nourishment of body and of spirit. As a young father, his children remember him in the moments they spent together in the back of the family car, visiting cousins, or out to the drive-in movies which they would attend at least once a week during the summer. Those same cherished moments were also later shared with his children and great-grandchildren, who learned from Stanley W. true courage and spirit.
Stanley W. will be remembered as a very intelligent man. He spoke Polish and English equally well. He could understand and speak German and Russian as well as some Japanese he had picked up during his brief stay in Japan during the Korean War. He was very politically minded and was sensitive to those who were down on their luck. He was a registered Democrat and voted patriotically as a member of the Democratic Party in every local and national election since the day he became eligible to vote. Although in most things he championed the underdog, in sports, he was a devoted fan of UConn sports, the New York Yankees, and many other sports.
He accomplished so much and helped so many during his time on earth, but he never looked or even cared to be recognized. He probably would be angry at us for giving him this recognition now. He would probably argue that his most satisfying accomplishment was his planned escape from the Nazis and his return to his family. Everyone else would say that it was his caring and nurturing manner that counted the most.
Stanley W. also had many hobbies. He was an accomplished cook, first learning to cook as a young boy in his mother's kitchen in Poland and later, while stationed in Japan during the Korean War, he was a cook for the US Army. He was also an avid gardener, keeping a large vegetable garden which he turned out over 200 bushels of vegetables of all kinds each summer. He loved to share his bounties with friends, family and neighbors. Whether it was at his job, raising a family, cooking, or tending his vegetable garden, he completely devoted himself to whatever he was involved with. He continued his joys and desires to feed our souls right up to the very end.
Stanislaw (Stanley) W. Bebyn is survived by his children, Stanley R. Bebyn III and wife Karen Bebyn of Windham, CT, Michael J. Bebyn, also of Bristol, CT, daughter Karen Bebyn and Margaret Caiazzo of Waterbury, CT and Daniel R. Bebyn and wife, Kimberly Bebyn of Manchester, CT. He is also survived by grandchildren Holly C. Bebyn, and husband David J. Burns, Lucinda Bebyn Perry and husband Sean M. Perry, and Ashley Marie Bebyn and Ryan P. Bebyn, as well as great-grandchildren Olivia M. Perry, Katherine R. Burns, Hannah E. Perry and William Stanley Burns.
Calling Hours will be held Tuesday at O'Brien Funeral Home, 24 Lincoln Ave., Forestville from 6 - 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 22nd at 9 a.m. from the funeral home and proceed to St. Matthew RC Church, Forestville for a Mass of Chris