StanIey A. Banachowski (1919 - 2003)
Engineer, WW II veteranStanley A. Banachowski, 84, of Perkiomenville, a retired engineer and decorated World War II veteran, died Oct. 28 2003 at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center from injuries suffered in a two-car collision in Limerick the same day.
Mr. Banachowski's wife, Sybil, and the driver of the other car were also injured and are recovering. Police are investigating the accident.
For 30 years, Mr. Banachowski was an engineer and machinist with the former Warner & Swayze Corporation, a machine tool company in Upper Merion.
He grew up in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia and graduated from Dobbins Technical High School in Philadelphia. During World War II, he served in the Army in Europe. He was awarded a Purple Heart after being wounded by enemy fire in the Battle of the Bulge. While recuperating in Wales, he met Sybil Rogers, his future wife.
Before moving to Perkiomenville in March, the couple had lived in Skippack for more than 40 years.
After his retirement in 1981, Mr. Banachowski spent time cultivating his five aces and tinkering in his workshop. His son, Joseph, said his father grew fruit trees, vegetables, sunflowers and "huge strawberries," and fixed appliances for friends and neighbors.
In addition to his wife of 57 years and his son, he is survived by a daughter, Jeanette Serota; a sister; seven grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.
The funeral and burial were private.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, Nov. 5, 2003.