Obituary: George L. Stoffan, 85, Of Stratford

From Pistey Funeral Home

George L. Stoffan, 85, beloved husband of Shirley A. (Havery) Stoffan for 56 years, passed peacefully in his sleep at his home on January 8, 2018. George was born in Nanticoke, PA on June 8, 1932, to Juraj and Elena (Terajova) Stofan, after his parents immigrated to Pennsylvania from Bystre, Slovakia. He was raised in Nanticoke, PA, where his father worked in the coal mines, and then moved with his family to Bridgeport, CT.

George graduated from Harding High School in Bridgeport, CT in 1950. He excelled in the classroom and on the baseball diamond. George was a starting pitcher for Harding High School’s baseball team, and was proud of the no-hitter he tossed against Central High School in his senior year.

Following his years at Harding, he played for the Bronson-Hawley American Legion team. He was drafted into the Army in 1952, and served until 1954. He was stationed at Fort Dix, NJ. He returned to his baseball career in 1954, when he played with the White Eagles in the Senior City League. The White Eagles won three championships in a row with George as a part of the starting pitching rotation.

Following his baseball career, he graduated from the New Haven State Teachers College with a B.S. degree in Junior High Education, with a major in English and minor in Social Studies. He earned his Master of Science degree from Columbia University, with a major in Contemporary and Comparative Literature in 1970. George then earned his Sixth-Year Certificate from the University of Bridgeport in 1972.

Teaching and coaching were his life callings. He taught English and Social Studies at Johnson Junior High School and Wooster Middle School, and was a mentor to many students for 40 years, until his retirement in 2000. George was the English and Social Studies Coordinator at Wooster for 25 years, and for several of those years, at both Wooster and Flood Middle School. George was active in the community. He served as an assistant coach with Pop Warner football teams and coached Little League baseball teams in Stratford, CT. He was an umpire for high school baseball, American Legion, and the FCIAC conference. George was an avid golfer. He was a member of the senior men’s league in Lordship and at Orchard Hills. George loved to drive. He and Shirley traveled by car across the country several times, visiting friends, family, and grandchildren. He often and freely shared his observations about the topography and landscapes he experienced.

George enjoyed the very many trips he took with Shirley to golf, shop, and relax in mostly warm-weather locations. While at home, he enjoyed watching sports, rooting against the Yankees and Giants, but he was a devoted fan of the UConn women’s basketball team. When not golfing, or following the latest in sports, he could be found walking his three miles, daily, on the Bunnell High School track, where he would enjoy spending time with his walking buddies and feeding the birds, particularly his favorite, “Jonathan the Seagull.”

George was a master at the grill, loved tending to his garden, and was known within the family for his prowess in making the perfect omelet. George was predeceased by his parents, his brother, John Stoffan, and sister, Mary Hubina. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his loving children, Cheryl Stoffan of Shelton; George Stoffan and his wife, Joan Hovda, of Oxford, MI; Lynn Hunyadi of Shelton; and Karen Stoffan and husband Andre Moreira of Middletown, NJ. He is also survived by several nephews. He cherished each of his loving and devoted grandchildren: Cara Capoccitti, Kyle Capoccitti, Matthew Hunyadi, Melissa Hunyadi, Megan Hunyadi, Josie Stoffan, Luke Stoffan, and Justin Moreira. He loved all his family members dearly and especially enjoyed their get-togethers, which he punctuated with his prayers. George was a remarkable man and will be deeply missed. His family is appreciative of the loving care of the nurses at VITAS Hospice.

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