Stanley Wayne Woytowicz

Stanley Wayne Woytowicz

August 17, 1956 – June 6, 2025

 

Stanley (Stan) Wayne Woytowicz, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away suddenly on June 6, 2025, at the age of 68, after living a life marked by adventure, loyalty, and deep connections with family and friends.

 

He is survived by his wife, Janine (Jan), with whom he shared a love of travel, road trips, dancing, and the wonderful life they built together since their marriage in October 2006. Stan was a devoted father to Michael Woytowicz of Hamilton, Bermuda, and Kristen (JT) McGinnis of Chicago, IL, and a supportive stepfather to Kimberly Busch of Austin, TX, and Zachary (Shanaya) Busch of Chicago, IL. He took special pride in his role as grandfather, “Pops,” to Colin McGinnis and Zion Ikner-Busch. He is also survived by his sister, Karen (Keith) Lewandowski of Prospect Heights, IL; his nephew, Ryan Lewandowski of Chicago, IL; his niece, Rachel (Ryan) Smith of Rapid City, SD; and great-nephew and niece, Patrick and Caitlin Smith.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Stephanie (née Milas) Woytowicz, whose values of hard work and family dedication—shaped by their lives as first-generation Americans and farmers in central Wisconsin—were deeply instilled in Stan.

 

Born in Chicago and raised in Niles, Illinois, Stan maintained lifelong friendships that began in childhood. Among family and friends, he was affectionately known as “Staś,” a nod to his Polish heritage. He proudly sported a Polish Eagle tattoo and often helped others pronounce his last name with the tip: “It rhymes with ‘my-TOES-itch.’” In high school, he and his friends embraced their “greaser” identity—black leather jackets, slicked-back hair, and all. That same group, now fondly known as the “Hodgepodge Lodge” boys, remain close, gathering often to share stories and laughter.

 

Stan had a deep appreciation for music and loved to play drums. His extensive music collection featured favorites like Steely Dan, Cheap Trick, Chicago, Led Zeppelin, and Styx.

 

He studied aviation mechanics at Southern Illinois University before transitioning into a successful career in Information Technology. Over the decades, he left his mark at companies such as R.R. Donnelley & Sons, PeopleSoft, IBM, and as a founder of Pinnacle Consulting and “Stan the Handyman.”

 

Stan started his family in Glenview, Illinois, where he was a hands-on dad—always ready with a helping hand, a life lesson, or a perfectly timed “dad” joke. Whether working on a school project, or blasting music through the house, Stan created a home filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable memories.

 

Stan and Jan began married life in Arkansas where Stan eventually worked at Walmart headquarters for over 10 years until his retirement. Stan also trained and served proudly as a volunteer firefighter, always ready to help his neighbors and community.

 

He had a life-long passion for cars and motorcycles, often spending hours in the garage with a wrench in one hand and classic rock playing in the background. He loved spirited drives in his Miata MX-5 with the Northwest Arkansas Miata Club, and getting “wind therapy” on his Honda Goldwing, finding freedom on the twisting roads, whether riding solo or with Jan as his “wingman.”

 

In 2021, Stan and Jan retired to Vail, Arizona, just southeast of Tucson. Though Jan jokes it was the first time she’d heard him say he wanted to live near the mountains, they built their dream home—fittingly named Casa Polaca—another tribute to his roots.

 

Stan’s love of aviation continued in retirement through his volunteer work at the 390th Memorial Museum, part of the Pima Air and Space Museum. Starting in 2022, he quickly became known for his humor, warmth, and easygoing nature. He loved meeting visitors from around the world and sharing stories. As one fellow docent and close friend described him: “Stan was like an old leather A-2 bomber jacket—tough and scruffy on the outside, like it had survived a Chicago bar brawl, but surprisingly cozy and familiar once you wrapped yourself in it. Just like the jacket, he might smell faintly of adventure and a questionable amount of motor oil.”

 

Stan was known for his straightforward manner and unwavering loyalty. Beneath that exterior was a man with a quick wit, a love of wordplay, and a gift for storytelling. He loved hosting gatherings, often mixing up a pitcher of his famous “Stangaritas” — if you were brave enough to try a glass.

 

People knew they could always count on Staś. He was the kind of person who left a lasting impression—someone you never forgot once you met him. He touched many lives, and his memory will continue to inspire and remain strong in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

 

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Donations may be made in his memory to the Rocky Branch Volunteer Fire Department, 19862 HWY 303, Rogers, AR, 72756, the 390th Memorial Museum, 6000 E Valencia Rd, Tucson, AZ 85756, or to a charity of your choice.