Stanley P. Cihos Sr.

There was no man more proud of his Polish heritage than Stanley. He stood with strength and confidence, carrying the look of man who knew the meaning of hard work. Each day Stanley would rise early and do what needed to be done, always looking forward to the next day when he would be able to do it all again. During the late part of the nineteenth century, the first fourteen of the Cihos children were born in the warm embrace of their parent's homeland: Poland. Eventually, the family left eastern Europe in search of the opportunity and wonder rumored to be found in the United States. Ten of these children were lost in early childhood. After arriving in Muskegon, Michigan the youngest child Stanley was born. Another child, sister Wanda was born in South Bend Indiana. Though they had left much of their lives behind in Poland, Mr. and Mrs. Cihos raised all their children with the idea that they would know and appreciate their heritage. Stanley was no exception. His family was poor-so poor that the Great Depression made little impact-but this in no way hindered Stanley's confidence. He never thought of himself as anything other than a good Polish worker. He diligently made his way through St. Michaels Catholic School and Muskegon Public Schools and went on to work with the Civilian Conservation Corps, serving with many other young men to better the nearby communities through government sponsored improvement projects. Stanley loved the opportunity to travel. He was as adventurous as he was hardworking-he even traveled to Chicago and back. It was quite a thing for a man with little money or means. When he was just seventeen, all of the forward movement in Stanley's life seemed to come to a halt. His mother died, leaving Stanley heartbroken and, consequently, uncomfortable discussing death, dying, or funerals. From that moment on he avoided these topics at all costs, even when his father died nine years later. Instead, Stanley choose to focus his life on brighter things, like all of the promise and opportunity his young life still held. Stanley was determined not only to work hard, but to enjoy himself too. Fishing became one of his favorite pastimes. As often as he could, he'd head down to the Mart Docks with his best friend, Bruno. They spent hours at the docks, catching whatever happened to be biting that day. Bruno later became Stanley's brother-in-law, and served as the best man at Stanley's wedding. Stanley met his bride-to-be, Helen, when she was born in the same apartment Building in 1922. Stanley proudly married Helen on April 26, 1941 at St. Michaels Catholic Church, with his good friend Bruno (and friend Sam Pawlowski) by his side. Newlyweds Stanley and Helen weren't in want of a house for long. Helen's grandmother offered them one, and, gratefully, they accepted it and moved in. Not long after, on January 2, 1942, they welcomed their first child-a daughter they named Mary Ann. Unfortunately, the baby died soon after her birth. Stanley enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942 and baby Ted was born while Stanley was serving in Mississippi and Florida. Baby Ted was born at the height of World War II- on May 22, 1943-while Stanley was off supporting the cause. Stanley soon returned home though, in good health and good spirits. He was ready to begin raising a family with Helen. Over the years they would welcome seven more children, including Stanley Jr. on May 30, 1944, John on April 26, 1947 (he was Stanley and Helen's 6th anniversary present), Diane on Dec 18, 1951, Victoria on July 13, 1953, David on June 28, 1958, Raymond on July 30,1959, and finally Daniel on September 26, 1960. Like his sister Mary Ann before him though, Daniel died very soon after his birth-just a few short days later. Stanley earned a living for his family by working hard. Truth be told, his Polish temperament rather enjoyed it. He spent time with Teledyne Continental Motors, Alstrom Construction, and finally Brunswick Corporation, which is where he retired from in 1982. Retirement encouraged Stanley to use his energy in new ways. Remembering his boyhood adventure to Chicago, he took up traveling. He and Helen went everywhere from Hawaii to New York to Nova Scotia to Florida to Branson, Missouri. The excitement of seeing all these new places meant that during his moments at home, Stanley became antsy. It wasn't long before he decided to do some volunteer work. Delivering meals-on-wheels and taking the tomatoes from his garden to the senior center became his weekly to-dos. A few of the delicious tomatoes were left out for Stanley too, of course, so he could use them in his Polish cooking. Everyone agreed that, even though he hadn't even been to Poland, Stanley was a great polish cook. He was also an avid bowler and dancer. Helen and Stanley spent many nights at the Reliable House in Muskegon, dancing the night away. They made some of their fondest memories there, ones that Stanley remembered and very much treasured after Helen's death in 2005. For 64 wonderful years, Stanley was married to the woman he loved. Together they danced, and dreamed, and taught everyone what it meant to be alive. The memories they made will be remembered and embraced, always. Stanley is survived by his children: Ted and Betty Cihos of N.C., Stanley (Jr.) and Carolyn Cihos, John and Eloise Cihos, David and Laurie Cihos, Raymond Cihos, all of the Muskegon area, and Diane Anderson and Victoria Lantz, of Spring Lake; grandchildren, Randy and Tami, Michael, Kristy and Andy, Eric, Jessica, Matthew, Daniel, Paul and Eva, Erin, Brian, Mark, Niccolette, Emily, Joshua and Cassie; and great-grandchildren, Krisan, Justin and Zebediah, one sister-in-law, Rosemary Sleak, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Helen, infant children, Mary Ann in 1942 and Daniel in 1960, and grandson, Carl (Buddy) Cihos in 1982.