Stanislaw Benedykt Pyka

Stanislaw Benedykt Pyka passed away at Visiting Nurse Service and Hospice of Suffolk in Northport, N.Y. on February 2, 2024, lovingly accompanied by his adopted grandchildren and their spouses at his side. Stas was born in Chorzow, Poland, on November 1, 1924, the fifth child of Karol and Maria (Gawlik) Pyka. Stas attended elementary school in Chorzow, showing early talent and receiving instruction as an artist and musician. In 1939 as soon as Poland was invaded and occupied, Stas at the age of sixteen was torn away from his family and forcibly conscripted into the German army. Faced with life and death choices and refusing to serve the Nazis, Stas deserted, joining the 2nd Corps, 3d Division of the Polish Carpathian Brigade which served under the British 8th Army in the campaign to liberate Italy. He took part in the successful Allied capture, spearheaded by the Polish divisions, of the monastery at Monte Cassino (1944), also known as The Battle for Rome.

Following the war, Stas was stationed in England where he took part in a small jazz orchestra to entertain his fellow troops. Stas was able to contact his older brother Willi and his wife Aida, who had already successfully escaped the war and were living in New York City. Stas became an integral part of his brother's family. In 1963, enchanted by the landscape that reminded him of his family's retreat in Szczyrk in the mountains of southern Poland, Stas purchased an old farmstead in Ira, Vermont, creating a wonderful country retreat for the family where joyful experiences were shared by all for many years.

Soon after arriving in New York, Stas received his formal artistic training at the Art Students League. Upon completion of his training, Stas realized his childhood dream of becoming an illustrator when he was hired by NBC as a graphic artist in 1954.

Stas had a long and illustrious career at NBC, eventually becoming head of the graphic arts department. Among his many accomplishments were three nominations for Daytime Emmy awards for excellence in graphic arts. Prominent shows that he worked on included the TV movie First Ladies Diary: Edith Wilson (1976) as well as Louis Rukeyser's Journal (1981), The Jonathan Winters Show (1956-57), and Nothing to Fear: The Legacy of FDR (1982). Stas retired from NBC in 1988, maintaining regular contact with his dear colleagues for many years thereafter. In addition to Stas's work at NBC, he was also a successful painter. His portrait of the Polish astronomer Nikolaus Copernicus to this day greets visitors in the lobby of the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium in Providence, Rhode Island.

While at NBC, Stas met the love of his life, Gloria Settle, the office manager in his department. Gloria and Stas established a home in Greenlawn, NY - and shared a beautiful life of gardening, traveling, and creating. He became an adored member of Gloria's family, which included Gloria's daughter Joan and her husband Ernie, their three daughters and son, and their children. Upon Gloria's passing, Stas and Gloria's descendants continued to maintain close and treasured relationships.

Stas was a talented musician and athlete, excelling in the sports of tennis and Alpine skiing, skills he generously shared with his nephew and nieces. In his early years he showed proficiency as a violinist and accordion player. His love of music stayed with him throughout his life.

More than anything, Stas will be remembered for his loving devotion to family and friends. Throughout his life he maintained a close relationship across ocean and time via telephone and visits with his nieces Barbara and Bernadeta in Poland. His bubbling sense of humor and willingness to listen to stories that friends and family members shared with him made him a treasured companion and mentor. His devoted presence graced all family gatherings, be they holidays, birthdays, graduations, or weddings. The memory of the sparkle in his eye will continue to warm the hearts of all who loved him. He was a paragon and role model to us all, an inspiring example of a man who lived his life with courage, humility, humor, love, grace, and panache, a man who embraced and kindled hope in the face of life's challenges.

Stas was predeceased by his beloved life partner Gloria, her daughter Joan and her spouse Ernie Viola; his father Karol and mother Maria; his sisters Lucia, Helena, and Hilda; as well as his brother Willi and sister-in-law Aida and Willi's later companion Wanda; his niece Monika Dillon and her husband Brian Dillon; and his grandniece Amanda Gale-Pyka.

He is survived by Gloria's grandchildren Catherine Hubbard, Megan Albin, Heather Ribellino, and Michael Viola, and their spouses Steve, Jim, Bruce, and Jennifer -- and their children; his nieces Bernadeta and Barbara Krol, and Yola Carlough; his nephew Marek and his wife Deborah Gale; his great-nephews Peter Dillon and his wife Diane, Gregory Dillon and his wife Samantha, and Matthew Gale-Pyka; his great-great nieces Kayla and Reed Dillon; and his great-great nephews Nicholas, Quinn, and Clive Dillon.

A private family celebration of Stas' long and amazing life is planned for the Spring.

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