A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Jan. 8 in St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, Toms River, for Deacon Stanley W. Kwiatek Jr. who died Dec. 28. He was 79.
Born in Elizabeth in January 1943, he joined the Navy and served four years in Vietnam. He was a disabled veteran who participated in “Honor Flights” and was the recipient of the Quilt of Valor.
Following his military service, he served as a police officer for 29 years on the Union Township Police Force after which he was a professor at Kean University in Union Township.
Deacon Kwiatek was ordained a deacon June 11, 2005 in Holy Spirit Church, Union Township and upon retiring to Manchester, he joined St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish. He was active in many ministries including serving as a spiritual advisor to the Knights of Columbus of which he was a Fourth Degree Knight; the Holy Rosary Society, and the Columbiettes. Every Friday he led Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the church chapel. Deacon Kwiatek was a founder and assistant director of the St. Philomena’s Helpers and Servants to the Suffering and the Poor in New Jersey.
Deacon Kwiatek is survived by his wife of 54 years, Barbara (Matlosz); two daughters, Donna Marie Conroy and Denise Danielle Velasquez; seven grandchildren; a sister; seven godchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Burial was in the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Wrightstown.
Memorial donations may be made to the Association of St. Philomena’s Helpers and Servants, 1293 Myrtle St., Hillside, N.J. 07205.