Joseph Stack Obituary

Stack, Joseph Edward, born to Ethel & Joseph Stack, of Valley Stream, NY, on June 27th, 1928, surrounded by family, peacefully answered God's call to His Heavenly Kingdom on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at the age of 96. 

Beloved husband of the late Mary Frances “Fran” Rodis Stack; loving father of Joe (Sharon) Stack, Cat Stack, Laura Stack and Meg Stack; dear grandfather of Megan (Patrick) Waite, Joseph Stack, Christina Stack, Caitlin O'Brien, Owen O'Brien, Jessica Kircher, Drew Kircher, Travis Kircher, Mary Fran Kircher, Nicholas Pilon and Isabella Pilon; great-grandfather of Grady Waite and Leah Waite; loving brother of the late Richard (Mary) Stack; loving uncle, great uncle and friend to many. Joe was also known as; "Dear" to his wife, "Dad” or “Daddy" to his kids, "Jay" to his mom, "Poppy" to his grandchildren, and "Captain Stack" to employees and passengers of TWA.

Joe served in the US Air Force during the Korean War. After the service he became a pilot for TWA, where he met his wife, Fran, a stewardess from St. Louis, MO. One day Fran knocked on the cockpit door, asked the crew if they would like coffee, tea, or something else, and Joe thought "I want that". Joe declined the coffee but later asked for a date and the rest is history. Captain Stack safely sailed the skies for 33 years, retiring at age 60.  He said he wasn't upset about retiring but that they were taking "his toys" away from him.  He sure loved to fly! 

Joe and Fran were married on April 11, 1959. They raised their 4 children, on Long Island (NY), enjoying family time; at the beach, on the boat, fishing, snow skiing, camping and lots of trips to St. Louis, (Fran's home of origin). In their home, Joe could have been heard greeting his daughters in a sing-song way, saying "here she comes... Miss America", and to his son, "José... can you see?". Some of his other famous quotes are, "that reminds me of a song" (he'd then attempt to sing it),  "let's get out the map!" (followed by a lesson on how to use the map), "shoulders back. stomach in. chest out -- that's what they told us in the service." (making his kids giggle while attempting this posture), "Better to have and not need than to need and not have" (something his dad used to say).

Years after Fran's sudden death, Joe reconnected with Denise Gayley, with whom he grew up. He always said he was a lucky man to have shared his life with the two women he loved. Joe was loved and respected by all and known for his delightful disposition and sense of humor. He had a great, long life and is leaving us with wonderful memories. While we are sad and will miss him, we are also happy for Joe and Fran to be reunited, in Heaven. 

Services:  Funeral Mass at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, 567 Saint Joseph Lane, Manchester, Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. Interment at Resurrection Cemetery with full military.  In lieu of flowers/donations, the family welcomes you to share a memory, you have of Joe, in the guestbook.  Visitation at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral mass at 10:30 a.m.  Friends may sign the family’s on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.