Stanley "Stan" Parda, Jr

Stanley "Stan" Parda, formerly of Bernardston, peacefully passed away on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at the age of 93 at the Charlene Manor Extended Care Facility, Greenfield. Stanley was born in Greenfield on June 28, 1927 to Polish immigrants, Stanislaw and Leonora (Nosek) Parda, and was a lifelong resident of the Pioneer Valley. He graduated from Greenfield High School in 1945, was captain of both the Varsity basketball and baseball teams and voted "Best Looking" in his class.
During WWII, and prior to his high school graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving as Coxswain, and receiving the WWII Victory Medal, American Theatre Medal, and Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Medal. Following his service, Stanley began as a truck driver for Coca-Cola - Northampton. His outgoing nature and warm disposition aided him as he worked his way up to Vice President of Sales. He retired in 1992 after forty-four years.
A natural athlete, Stan enjoyed outdoor sports - skiing, hunting, snowmobiling, and was a life-long golfer. He was a former member of the Greenfield Country Club and served as President of the Thomas Memorial Golf & Country Club for many years. As a young man he was called up for a pitching tryout with the (then) Boston Braves, but had to decline the appointment as his wife went into labor with their first child.
Stan was an avid New England sports team and Boston Red Sox fan, enjoyed gambling and going to the casinos, collecting Coca-Cola memorabilia, and spending time with family and friends - especially having coffee with the guys. He was a devout Catholic, and active with Blessed Sacrament Church and a member of Holy Trinity Church, Greenfield. Anyone who met Stanley walked away with a smile and he will be remembered as outgoing, personable, funny, and kind.
In addition to the loving care of his daughters, toward the end of his life Stan was exceptionally well-supported by his brother Donald Parda and his nephew Paul Parda, both of Bernardston.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years Eleanor (Leveille) Parda, his two sons, Gary Parda and Alan Parda, his daughter-in-law Sharon (McCarthy) Parda Harrington, his sisters Stella Pelis and Gladys Dejnak, his brother Edward Parda, and their respective spouses.
He is survived by his daughter Lauren Parda and husband Eitel Metzroth of Lisbon, CT. Lauren's children; Christopher Kusek and wife Kim Kusek of East Greenwich, RI, Amanda Kusek and her fiancé Frank Hanley of Queens, NY, Jonathan Kusek of Holyoke, and their father Robert Kusek of Holyoke, his former son-in-law. His daughter Dr. Susan M. Parda-Watters, Lt. Col. (Ret.), USAF and husband Charles Watters, their children Morgan Watters and fiancé Camryn Gwaltney and their children Michael Deane & Sebastian Gwaltney, Zachary Watters and his partner Silverlyn Roth, and Auzten Watters, all of Tampa, FL. His son Alan's children; Angela (Parda) Whelan of Guilford, VT, her 2 daughters Brooke & Kayleigh Whelan. Leigh Ann (Parda) Thayer and husband Paul Thayer of Turners Falls, their daughter Taryn Thayer. His brother Donald Parda of Bernardston, his brother Chester Parda and wife Katherine of Greenfield, and several nieces, nephews, and close friends.
A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Trinity Church on Wednesday, March 17, at 10AM. Burial will follow with military honors at Green River Cemetery, Greenfield. Memorial gifts may be made to Blessed Sacrament Church, Adoration Chapel, 221 Federal Street, Greenfield, MA 01301.
Arrangements are under the direction of Kostanski Funeral Home. For condolences, please visit www.kostanskifuneralhome

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