George L. Stoffan

George L. Stoffan
George L. Stoffan, 85, beloved husband of Shirley A. (Havery) Stoffan for 56 years, passed peacefully in his sleep at his home on January 8, 2018. George was born in Nanticoke, PA on June 8, 1932, to Juraj Stofan and Elena Terajova after his parents immigrated to Pennsylvania from Bystre, Slovakia.
George graduated from Harding High School in Bridgeport, CT in 1950.
He enjoyed sports and education equally. He was a pitcher on the Harding High baseball team and pitched a no-hitter against Central High his senior year, and later played for the Bronson-Hawley American Legion.
He was drafted into the Army 1952-1954, stationed at Fort Dix, NJ. In 1954 he played with the White Eagles in the Senior City League, a team winning three straight championships in a row.
He graduated from New Haven State Teachers College with a B.S. degree in Junior High Education, with a major in English and minor in Social Studies.
He earned his Master of Science degree from Columbia University with a major in Contemporary and Comparative Literature in 1970.
Teaching and coaching were his life callings. He taught English and Social Studies at Johnson Junior High school and Wooster Middle school, and was a mentor to many students for 40 years, until his retirement in 2000. George was a department head at Wooster and Flood for 25 years.
He was active in the community, and consistent with his love of sports, he served as an assistant coach with Pop Warner football teams in Stratford, CT and coached Little League baseball teams. He was an Umpire for high school baseball, American Legion, and the FCIAC conference. He was an avid golfer – playing with the Senior men's league in Lordship and Orchard Hills.
He traveled by car across the country several times – he loved to drive. He enjoyed watching the Yankees lose on T.V. He also loved to walk the track with his walking buddies and feed the birds, in particular Jonathan the Seagull.
George was predeceased by his parents, his brother, John Stofan, and sister, Mary Hubina.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his loving children, Cheryl Stoffan of Shelton; George and his wife Joan Hovda, of Oxford, MI; Lynn Hunyadi of Shelton; and Karen Stoffan and husband Andre Moreira of Middletown, NJ. He is also survived by several nephews. He cherished each of his loving and devoted grandchildren: Cara Capoccitti, Kyle Capoccitti, Matthew Hunyadi, Melissa Hunyadi, Megan Hunyadi, Josie Stoffan, Luke Stoffan, and Justin Moreira. He loved all his family members dearly and especially enjoyed their get-togethers, which he punctuated with prayers.
He was a remarkable man and will be deeply missed. His family is appreciative of the loving care of the nurses at VITAS Hospice. Friends are invited to attend the wake on Thursday, January 11, 2018, from 4:00-7:00 p.m.at the Pistey Funeral Home, 2155 Main Street, Stratford. The church service will be held on Friday, January 12, 2018 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 406 White Plains Road, Trumbull, CT 06611 beginning at 10:30 a.m. Please visit www.pisteyfuneralhome.com to express condolences online.