Getting ready for Stan’s 70th Birthday 5-14-2010

Stan Kropewnicki – 19 months in this photo – November 1941

John Kropewnicki and his son Stan – about 1941 or so

Stan Kropewnicki – 4 years old – 1944 – In Navy sailor suit just like his daddy who was off to war.

We were getting ready for Stan’s 70th birthday party. His birthday is on 5-14-2010. The party is on Saturday 5-15-2010.

I needed to send out some invitations and wanted to put on some old photos.

Stan reluctantly brought out a photo or two, which I started to scan in. Then the flood gates opened. I have over 30 photos to scan. He still held back some though for another day.

Here is a list of photos and tidbits Stan shared.

1) Maternal grand mother Helen Jackowski is 3rd from L to R.

2) Aug 1971 Cousin Richie Shuber getting married to Cathy.

Richard was an accountant. We met him a few years back in Boulder as he was visiting his son who was attending college at CU. We went to the Boulder fair grounds to hear some polka music. Stan had just renewed his interest in polka music and dancing. We thought surely Richie and Cathy would be interested also. They were polite, but mostly bored. Polkas had not filtered into their heritage as they had with Stan.

3) Sept 1971 Stan’s neice – Mary Anne pictured in the middle. She is riding on her Grandmother Alice Kropewnicki’s boat. Along with her is Eleanor and Chrystina (whoever they are?)

4) Alice Kropewnicki – Stan’s mom She always spent a lot of time decorating their home for Christmas holidays

5) Stan’s maternal Grandparents – Helen and Leopold Jackowski

6) Alice Kropewnicki – Mitch Poplaski Sept 1971

Stan’s dad died July 2, 1969. After a few years of grief Alice, Stan’s mom met an interesting man, Mitch Poplaski. He was a big deal with the window washer’s union in New York city. He belonged to the local Yacht club and was president for a long time. Alice fell in love and they bought a boat together. Alice enjoyed dolling up the boat with colorful cushions and going out for a ride through New York harbor. One of the thrills for Mitch was seeing the tall ships gathered around the Statue of Liberty in 1976 during the country’s 200 year celebration.

7) Pat Kropewnicki and her brother-in-law Tony Szeluga

Tony married Stan’s oldest sister Irene and had a boy – Robert Szeluga.

Pat, Stan’s other sister married Richard O’Neill and had a girl – Mary Anne O’Neill.

8) Jamela Swanson and Stan Kropewnicki – Summer 1969

Stan was concerned about the first time he met Jamela, Joyce’s daughter. Stan was an outdoors kind of guy: fishing, hunting and getting right into things. Here was this little two year old kid that had trouble walking on pebbles as she crossed the path to the fishing hole in the Colorado mountains. It has been an interesting experience for him and her the 40 some years they have known each other when they learned to call each other Dad and Jamie.

9 Stan Kropewnicki and little baby – could be his neice Mary Anne O’Neill.

Some of these photos are very old and were stuck together from some moisture which created a partial image. Still a picture is worth a thousand words and holding a new baby is worth the look.

10 Richard Shuber – Stan’s Uncle Richard has a son named Richard also that came visit Colorado photo # 2.
Richard was his mother’s Brother-in-law. His wife was Frances Jackowski, Alice’s sister.

Must have been someone’s wedding as Richie is wearing a flower in his lapel.

11) Helen and Leopold Jackowski (Stan’s maternal grandparents) Aunt Loretta (Jackowski)Gatz and John Kropewnicki (Stan’s dad).

12 Stan Kropewnicki and sister Irene Kropewnicki (Szeluga – Muse – Rodway – Miller)

13 Maternal Grandmother – Helen Jackowski and her brother ..Terlik

14 Aunt Loretta (Jackowski – Alice’s sister) Gatz Grandmother Helen Jackowski Aunt Ruth Jackowski (married Stanley Stan’s Uncle) mother Alice Kropewnicki

15 Stan Kropewnicki – taken in Mespheth New York in living room

16 Stan Kropewnicki – Beauty (his dog’s tail in photo) In front of Stan’s house in Mespeth NY looking north. Late 1940’s his dad had a Chevy. Stan is about age 10-12 in the photo which makes this about 1950 – 1952.

17 Alice Jackowski (Kropewnicki then Poplaski) Graduation from Grammer School. Stan didn’t think his mother graduated from High School as she had to go to work. The photo was on a postcard with no date. A. Klimas Phot Studio 98 Grand Ave. Maspeth, L.I.

18 Loretta Gatz Stan Kropewnicki (little boy in front) Stan’s parent John Kropewnicki and Alice Kropewnicki