Stanley J. Zbicki Jr. of Kulpmont fell asleep in the Lord peacefully on January 18, 2024. He was born in Ashland State Hospital on February 4, 1935, to Anna (Bartko) Zbicki and Stanley J. Zbicki Sr.   He attended and graduated from Kulpmont High School in 1953, and was a lifetime resident of Kulpmont. After High School, he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, serving as a Marine Engineer in the Bay of Pusan.

Upon graduating from Williamsport Area Community College, Stanley was employed with Lycoming Construction and then D.A. Kessler Construction Company for over 49 years, working as a heavy equipment operator, diesel mechanic, and batch plant operator.  He worked during the development of the interstate system and worked on many sections of interstate I-80, I-81, I-180, and sections of US 15 and many other major projects.  Known as one of the best diesel mechanics in the area, he continued to be in demand to repair diesel engines well into his retirement years.

Stanley married his high school sweetheart, Vera (Kravetz) Zbicki on June 10, 1956.  They had two daughters, Sandy and Valerie. Stanley was known as a wonderful, loving, and caring father and husband. When the girls were young, his work often called for him to be away during the week. Stanley devoted his weekends to his family, creating special memories of ice skating and sledding, trips to beaches, state parks, Disney World, and one of the family's favorite locations – Eagles Mere for the toboggan run.  Summers, he would have his family join him wherever he was working, and you often saw him have his daughters in the batch plant or on equipment, providing them the experience of a lifetime. A patient and generous teacher, he made sure his daughters would be self-sufficient and shared all his knowledge and skills with them.

Always curious and a tenacious learner, Stanley's depth and breadth of knowledge and skills knew no limit. He was able to repair and build almost anything – including a garage and woodworking shop from the ground up, where he constructed the most beautiful wood furniture. He was an amazing baker and chef, experimenting in the kitchen with complex recipes.

As a member of St. Michael's Orthodox Church in Mt. Carmel, Stanley served as the parish council president for almost 50 years. Over the years, he also served as an altar server, led the iconography project in the church, and continued to work hard maintaining and beautifying the church and church property throughout his lifetime.

Stanley was an avid fisherman and shared his love of fishing with his whole family, including his grandson, Simon. His other interests included gardening, particularly his rose bushes; dogs, carrying biscuits in his pockets to hand out to his furry friends; music; exercise; and football. Stanley and Vera were life-long Mt. Carmel Tornado fans, holding season tickets for over 50 years.

"No" was not a word in Stanley's vocabulary. He helped anyone in need and his compassion and care for others was never-ending. He worked hard his entire life and instilled that value in his daughters. He loved life, his family and his church.  When he was admitted to the emergency room shortly before his passing, they asked him if he had any feelings of depression and he replied, "Why would I be depressed? I have a beautiful family and a wonderful life". Greeting everyone with a big smile and hello, Stanley gave out the most loving hugs, which will be dearly missed.

Stanley was a member of the Kulpmont American Legion.

Stanley was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Jerome; and a sister, Theresa. He is survived by his wife, Vera; two daughters, Sandra Tosca (Joseph) Den Mar, and Valerie Winnick (George) West Chester; a grandson, Simon Winnick; step-granddaughters, Christy Bridges (Adam) NY, Jill McCabe (James) NJ, Leane Scoz (Edward) Pocono Mtns.; and step-great-grandchildren, Aidan and Colby Bridges, Parker and Madeline Scoz, and Molly McCabe; and a brother, Bernard Zbicki (Janet) of Lock Haven; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at 11 a.m. with Priest Aleksey Paranyuk officiating in St. Michael's Orthodox Church, Mt. Carmel. Burial will follow in St. Michael's Orthodox Cemetery, Mt. Carmel Twp. Viewing will be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. with Parastas at 8:00 p.m. in the C. J. Lucas Funeral Home Inc., 1053 Chestnut St., Kulpmont, and Wednesday, January 24, 2024, from 10 am – 11 am in St. Michael's Orthodox Church, Mt. Carmel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael's Orthodox Church, 131 N. Willow St., Mt. Carmel, PA 17851.