Anthony Joseph Stawarz IV

Anthony Joseph Skip Stawarz IV

NEW BRITAIN

Anthony Joseph Skip Stawarz IV, 78, of Conroe, Texas, formerly of New Britain, Connecticut, passed away peacefully at home on November 6, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in 1947 in New Britain, Tony was the son of the late Anthony Joseph Stawarz III and Catherine Gutowski Stawarz. A proud son of Connecticut, he made an indelible mark both on and off the field.

Tony will forever be remembered as one of New Britain's greatest athletes. From 1964 to 1966, he starred at New Britain High School, excelling in baseball, basketball, and footballthough his true dominance was on the diamond and the gridiron. According to his father, he was the first two-time Parade All-American High School football player, an honor reserved for the nation's top 100 players. His baseball power was legendaryhome runs said to soar over 60-foot trees in East Hartford, and another in New London that was fabled to have flown more than 500 feet.

In recognition of his exceptional career, Tony was later inducted into the New Britain High School Hall of Fame, a lasting tribute to his athletic excellence and his impact on his community.

In 1967, Tony left Connecticut to attend the University of Miami, where he became a four-year starter, team captain, and pre-season All-American. His athleticism and leadership earned him national recognition, including a place on Chris Schenkels 1969 Preseason All-America Team as a strong safety. After graduating, he was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in 1971 and later spent time with the Hartford Knights of the Atlantic Coast Football League and the New England Patriots. A knee injury ended his professional career, but his passion for the game never wavered.

Returning home to New Britain, Tony poured that same passion into mentoring and coaching young athletes through the New Britain Police Athletic League. Those who played for him remember his belief in them: He treated us like men, one said. Another added, Tony made us believe anything was possible. His athletic legacy remains a symbol of resilience, talent, and dedication to his hometown and to the game he loved.

Above all else, Tony was a man of deep faith and unwavering love for his family. God came first in his life, and family was always second. His faith guided every decision he made, and his example showed those around him what it meant to live with purpose, gratitude, and integrity.

Tony and his beloved wife, Rita Ann (Zmyeski) Stawarz, were inseparable and shared a devoted marriage that spanned 49 beautiful years. Together they built a life centered on love, commitment, and faith. He was a proud father to Kurt Stawarz (47), Brittany Stawarz (40), and Reid Stawarz (33)his greatest joy and legacy. Tony was always there for his children: in the stands, on the sidelines, or with a quiet word of wisdom when it mattered most.

As a father, he believed his most important job was to set an exampleto show his children, through action and faith, what it means to be a good man. He taught them the value of hard work, dedication, and perseverance; to take pride in their efforts, honor their word, and stay true to their beliefs. He demonstrated what it meant to be a professional, a husband, and a fatherstrong, steady, and faithful.

For the past 20 years, Tony served as a respected and cherished member of LGI Homes, where he was known for his work ethic, loyalty, and character. He loved the company and the people who made it feel like family. His leadership and ability to lift others up left an enduring mark on LGI's culture and spirit. Those who worked alongside him describe him as a mentor, a friend, and the kind of man who made everyone around him better.

Tony's faith was not just something he lived byit was something he gave through. In honor of his beloved mother, he was a devoted supporter of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, a cause close to his heart. He believed deeply in the mission of St. Jude’s: that no child should suffer alone and that love, faith, and hope can conquer even the darkest moments. His support for St. Jude’s will live on through his children, who are committed to continuing his charitable legacy for years to come.

He will be remembered not only for his athletic achievements and professional success but for his strength of character, his devotion to family, and his deep faith in God. Tony taught by examplethat success is built on integrity, that faith can move mountains, and that love is the greatest legacy a man can leave behind.

He leaves this world having made it betterone person, one home, and one act of kindness at a time. His impact will shine through every life he touched, every lesson he taught, and every heart he inspired.

Tony is survived by his beloved wife Rita Ann Stawarz; his children Kurt, Brittany, and Reid Stawarz; and his siblings Paul Stawarz of Burlington, CT, Susan Brooks of Newington, CT, and Louis Stawarz of Hummel, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents Anthony and Catherine Stawarz.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday November 14, 2025 at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 183 Church Street, Newington, CT. Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery, Cross Street, Naugauck. To send an online condolence or share a memory, please visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.com. . In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Tony's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.