Leo Walter Stopczynski

Leo Walter Stopczynski of Rock St., Kingston, died Monday, September 18, 2006 at Albany Medical Center. He was 88. A native and lifelong Kingston resident, he was born March 5, 1918, a son of the late Walter and Mary Mularski Stopczynski. He married Carmela 'Clara' DeCicco on February 16, 1941. A US Army veteran of WW II, he served as a heavy mortar crewman in the Pacific Theater of Operations. He was decorated with the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with Four Bronze Stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with Two Bronze Stars, Four Overseas Service Bars and One Bronze Service Arrowhead. From 1956 till retirement in 1978 Leo worked at Grand Union, Kingston. A fisherman and hunter, Leo previously belonged to area Rod and Gun clubs. A parishioner of the Immaculate Conception Church, he was a member of the Joyce - Schirick Post 1386, VFW. His beloved wife Clara died March 12, 1991. His brother John Stopczynski and three sisters Agnes Walker, Margaret Bozzo and Roseline Falvey all died previously. Surviving are his two sons Joseph Stopczynski and his wife Joan of Port Ewen, Richard Stopczynski and his wife Carole of Kingston, three grandchildren Michael David Stopczynski, Joseph John Stopczynski, Jr. and Melissa Jean Ramirez; two great grandchildren Chloe Jean and Jaden Nicole Ramirez; many nieces and nephews. Reposing at the Simpson - Gaus Funeral Home, 411 Albany Avenue on Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 PM. The Joyce-Schirick Post 1386, VFW will conduct a ritual at 7:30 PM on Wednesday. A candlelight remembrance service will be conducted at 8:30 PM on Wednesday. The funeral procession will form on Thursday at 9:00 AM from the Simpson - Gaus Funeral Home, 411 Albany Ave. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Immaculate Conception Church at 10:00 AM. Interment, with miliary honors by the Joyce-Schirick Post 1386 Color Guard, will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Juvenille Diabetes Foundation, 11 Marshall Road, Suite 1H, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590.