Marek Stopa

Marek Stopa, 63 of Vernon died peacefully in his home on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 surrounded by his family after a brave battle with pancreatic cancer. Marek was the epitome of a family man and a pillar of strength. He was kind, welcoming, hardworking, adventurous, a friend to everyone, a mentor, always willing to lend a helping hand and a genuinely good human being. Marek was born in Pelplin, Poland in 1958 and immigrated to the US in 1994 with his family in hopes of a better life. He worked at J&L Machine Co in Manchester for over 20 years where he made many friends. His hobbies included fishing, soccer, the Boston Bruins, the New England Patriots, scotch whiskey, gardening, yardwork and smoking meats and fish in his backyard.

Marek is survived by his wife, of 33 years Danuta Stopa; daughter, Natalia Stopa; son, Mateusz “Matt” Stopa, “son-in-law” Tim Smith and “daughter-in-law” Amanda Rodwell in the US. He is also survived by his brother, Czesław Stopa; other siblings, many cousins, nieces, nephews and godchildren both here and in Poland. Marek’s final resting place will be in Poland at the cemetery where many of his family and friends are resting in peace.

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, June19, 2021 at 11:00 AM at St Bridget Church on 80 Main St in Manchester. The mass can also be livestreamed at https://manchestercatholic.org/watch.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Marek’s memory to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at www.pancan.org/donate, or through the mail at 1500 Rosecrans Ave, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.

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