Matthew Chester Stankiewicz

Matthew Chester Stankiewicz, 85, of Southington, Died Tuesday Feb. 9, 2010. Born in Southington on October 15, 1924, he was the son of the late Stanley and Mary (Kolaczynska) Stankiewicz. His wife Olga, brothers Stanley, Sigmund and Edward, and sister Jean, predeceased him.

A lifelong athlete, Matt played basketball and football in High School, graduating from Lincoln-Lewis in 1942. He then enlisted in the Navy, attending Flight School in Corpus Christie Texas, becoming a Naval Aviator. He flew the infamous 'F4U' Corsair from the decks of the Carrier Midway, in the Battle of the Atlantic. After the war, Matt attended the University of Maryland, playing football for the Terrapins. During his summer breaks, he was employed by Brunalli Construction in Southington, and helped build the bridges and tunnel on the Wilbur Cross Parkway.

Upon graduation in 1950, Matt applied for and was accepted into the FBI Academy, and was appointed Special Agent for the FBI in 1951. After a stint in Georgia and Washington DC, Matt was assigned to the Manhattan office in 1955. His work included bank robberies, extortion, espionage, and organized crime. He moved his family back to Southington in 1967, where he finished his career at the New Haven Bureau of the FBI, retiring at the mandatory age of 55 in 1979.

Matt is survived by sons Kirk Stankiewicz of Plainville, Steven Stankiewicz of Southington, Raymond Stankiewicz of Portland Me, and daughter Ellen (Stankiewicz) St. Pierre of Cheshire; grandchildren Kyle, Chris, Nicole, Stephanie, John, Jacqueline, Danielle, Jared; great-grandchildren Sylvain and Giula.

A special thanks to the nurses at the Summit at Plantsville for providing a comfortable and caring environment for Matt during his final years.

Funeral services will be held Friday Feb. 12, 2010 at 11 a.m. at Mary Our Queen Church, 249 Savage St., Southington. Burial with full military honors will follow in South End Cemetery, Southington. Calling hours are prior to the service from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Plantsville Funeral Home, 975 S. Main St., Plantsville.

FUNERAL SERVICES

Funeral services will be held Friday Feb. 12, 2010 at 11 a.m. at Mary Our Queen Church, 249 Savage St., Southington. Burial with full military honors will follow in South End Cemetery, Southington. Calling hours are prior to the service from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Plantsville Funeral Home, 975 S. Main St., Plantsville.