Sunday's Obituary: Stanley Robert Skrabalak

Stanley Robert Skrabalak, 91, formerly of Johnson City, passed away with his family by his side at Wilson Memorial Hospital, on Wednesday, March 3, 2010. Stanley was predeceased by his wife, Helen, in 2002. He is survived by his children, Duane Skrabalak, Binghamton, Dr. Dale Skrabalak and his wife, Linda, Endicott, Darlene (Kendrot) and husband, Jon, Raleigh, NC. He also leaves his grandchildren, Dr. Heather Gifford and husband, Andrew, Baltimore, MD, Nickolas Skrabalak and wife, Lauren, Charlotte, NC and Ashley Kendrot, Raleigh, NC; as well as his great-grandchildren, Alayna Gifford, Jocelyn Gifford and (due in June 2010) Maxton Gifford. He is also survived by two sisters, Helen and Josephine, both of Phoenix, AZ. Stanley had battled Parkinson's Disease and it's complications for nearly 40 years.

A member of the famed 45th Thunderbird Division and a veteran of the Sicily, Salerno and Southern France invasions, Stanley was awarded the Bronze Star medal for "meritorious service in handling supplies and food under enemy fire," during a German counterattack in the Vosges Mountains. He spent 27 months overseas, and after the three invasions, he wore an arrowhead signifying his forward wave position in an attack. After campaigns in Sicily, Naples-Foggis, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland and Central Europe, as well as the bloody Anzio-Beachhead, he was honorably discharged as T/5.

Stanley returned from service to open several businesses over the years. Included in this group was the Belmar Restaurant, located on Main St. in Binghamton. During these years, the Belmar hosted National celebrities during summer theatre, at the now closed Masonic Temple. Included in this group were such stars as Eva Gabor, Veronica Lake, Jackie Cooper and Red Buttons. The tavern/restaurant remained a Westside staple for years until Stanley and his wife, Helen, sold the business in the mid 1990's. Generations always knew they could find a friendly face, good friends, and the best chicken in a basket, city chicken and pizza (hot pies) in the city. Stan's annual Belmar Open was a highly sought after golf tournament that eclipsed any before or after with its all-day festivities.

Stanley was a member of The Church of the Holy Trinity. Stanley cherished his family. He was a kind, loving and generous man who knew how to enjoy life while teaching his children how to become better people each day. He enjoyed golf, bowling, and casinos, (especially Black Jack). Stanley and Helen enjoyed numerous trips to Atlantic City and Las Vegas. His winning ways at bingo became legendary at Ideal Senior Living Center, during his later years. His warmth and sense of humor will be greatly missed. (Oh, that infamous "seed tooth"!) We love you Dad. A funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 8, 2010, at The Church of the Holy Trinity, Binghamton. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends in the church vestibule from 9:00 a.m. until time of service. Stanley's family would like to thank the many people who cared about Stanley both at Ideal Senior Living Center, and wherever Stanley touched their hearts. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Stanley's name to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018.

Published in Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin from Mar. 6 to Mar. 7, 2010

52 Ancestors: Anna Keating Walsh is one Tough Woman

Amy Johnson Crow, of No Story Too Small , has challenged us this week with tough women. She asked “ Who is a tough, strong woman in your family tree? Or what woman has been tough to research?” My 2x great grandmother Anna Keating Walsh is indeed a tough woman. She is a tough woman to trace and I believe she was a tough woman in her time as well. Anna (everyone past my grandparents get actual names; it is the only way I can keep people straight) was born around 1855 in Ireland . According to my grandmother, she was born in County Mayo . My grandmother had told me that Anna had immigrated with her siblings and that she was the youngest Her parents – Patrick and Knapy Penelope Keating - had stayed behind and she settled in Ringtown which is just a stone’s throw from Shenandoah (assuming of course you can throw a bit)! She married Michael Walsh and the lived in Shenandoah. The 1910 Census stated Anna had 11 children, with only six living in 1910. I would...

Coatesville's First Serial Killer

Young Alexander Meyer was a disturbed and angry young man with some major issues. He had failed sixth and seventh grade, and instead of having to repeat eighth grade again, he finally gave up on school. At age 16 he quit Downingtown Junior High. Meyer is not a relative, nor are his victims (that I am aware). I stumbled upon young Alex while reading Tortured Minds: Pennsylvania's Most Bizarre - But Forgotten - Murders by Tammy Mal. On 11 February 1937 Alexander Thweatt Meyer killed young Helen Moyer as she walked home from school in Coatesville along Modena Road. She was not his first. The jury was out only three minutes after hearing Dr. Michael Margolis' testimony on the death of Helen Moyer. The jury determined Meyer had murdered Moyer and should be held for first degree murder. The jury also condemned the parole system which had released Meyer back into the public, after having served just 14 months in Huntingdon Reformatory, for the murder of two other girls - Anna Blasc...

Thaddeus Stevens at the Lancaster Convention Center

Within the Lancaster Convention Center (Lancaster, PA) is a small section dedicated to Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Hamilton Smith. The section is known as the Stevens & Smith Historic Site. It is scheduled for development this year. At the moment one can only get a glimpse of it through the Convention Center or by peeking in from the outside. Here at Queen and Vine Streets in Lancaster City, Pennsylvania, Thaddeus Stevens had his law office. Stevens was an abolitionist. An abolitionist is a person who favors the abolition of a practice or institution, especially capital punishment or (formerly) slavery. Stevens was born 4 April 1792 to Joshua Stevens and Sarah (Sally) Morrill in Danville Vermont. One of four children, he attended Vermont University from 1810 to 1812 when the War prompted its closure. He then went to Dartmouth, where he graduated in 1814. He then studied law and found himself set up in Gettysburg, PA in 1816. He practiced law there until 1828 when he...

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