Stanley Wisniewski Obituary

I graduated from St. X in 1959 and never had Fr. as a teacher, but there was a story that circulated and is funny in its own right and anyone who has taught at a Jesuit high school could understand.
In one of his classes, the letters LSMFT appeared on his blackboard every day as he entered the room. (At the time, they meant "Lucky Strike Means Fine Tobacco." He erased them and went on with the class. On the last day of the semester, the students asked if he knew what LSMFT meant. He said no. They explained "Little Stanley's My Favorite Teacher."

Simply one of the greatest SICP english teachers of all time.

Fr. Wis made a difference to me as a struggling student. He made me feel part of the elite when I wasn't. He made learning fun and to this day, I never saw a guy drink so much coffee. It's been 28 years since I've seen him, but the memories of his class are clear.

To Fr. Wisniewski's Family -



When my friends and I were apprentice adults, students at St Ignatius High School in Chicago, your brother, uncle, gave us something rare along with pungent criticism of literature and culture: He offered us his respect and his friendship. There are very few things that have had such a positive and permanent effect on my life as the friendship of this remarkable, gifted man and priest.



Years later, not realizing that Fr. Wisniewski had returned to Chicago, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw him at Holy Family at the homecoming reception for St. Ignatius students returning from Kairos, the junior / senior retreat. By remarkable coincidence, and good fortune, he had been the leader of the group that included our son, Sean. Sean could not have been in better hands.



With great fondness, and thanks to our Lord for Stan's life of faithfulness and service,



Jim Collins, St. Ignatius '69

Wiz was studying Theology at West Baden when I met him as a philosophy seminarian.

We spent many nights discussing the challenges we faced as Jesuits.

Stan always guided me with a wit that encouraged us both to weather the storm. He made my days at Baden bearable because of his love for his life as a Jesuit.

Now Ignatius has the priviledge of knowing and loving Wiz as I did.

Ignatius and the rest of "the Company" can say "Well done, my good and faithful, son.!"

I was saddened to learn of Fr. Wisniewski's passing. We've all (temporarily) lost a genuine gift from God. Fr. Wiz taught senior year English to me and two (three?) classes of my '69 classmates at Iggy. His sense of humor and irony did indeed brightened the days of his students. We were especially graced by the tolerance, patience and equanimity which he afforded to diverse thoughts and opinions. We were energized by his love of literature, and we were touched by his abiding love for his students. I believe that all of these qualities were enabled in him by his deep and confident Christian faith, and as such he was a wonderful example of the best kind of example for us all.



(Do any of Fr. Wiz's other students at Iggy recall the story he told about a close friend of his who had corresponded to him for a while exclusively in red ink?

Do any of my '69 classmates remember the form in which Fr. Wiz enumerated our reading assignments for the 1968-69 Christmas holidays?)

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I am compelled to add my two cents to these wonderful tributes to Fr. Stan. I remember his great sense of humor. He taught my freshman English class, and he coached my freshman baseball team, and perhaps my sophomore team? He was quick witted and I think we shared the same twisted sense of humor. His English tests often involved the misadventures of some fellow named Elmo Forneganch. He was a wonderful, warm person, and one of my favorite people from my days at St. Ignatius. He always talked about Reno!

For the family of our dear friend Fr. Stan, We know you loved him very much because he spoke of you often. We want you to know that we have missed Stan since he left our neck of the woods. He was a frequent guest at our home for dinner and needless to say, conversation. We traded recipes,ideas and philosophys. He became a part of our family that we loved spending time with. Our backyard discussions covered everything from third grade essays to birth control. His words seemed to have a greater impact on our children than ours did.

We have been experiencing a particularly miserable winter this year and it brings to mind a memory of Stan. It was winter and the snow was coming down gently. He had just arrived for dinner in the evening and as I opened the front door, there stood Stan in his blue jeans, and short sleeved shirt. I just looked at him as any mother would and exclaimed, "Stanley, where is your jacket?" He just grinned that twinkly-eyed grin, spread his arms,as if to embrace the snowfall, and told me that "this is like a letter from home!" It was moments like that that we came to expect from Fr. Stan......the unexpected. We loved him and miss him. God bless his family......

Don and Nancy Thorpe and family, Reno, Nv.

Fr. Wiz taught me English my junior year at St. Ignatius in 1985. He challenged me more than any other teacher, clearly making him the most memorable. He demanded that I reach my full potential and would accept nothing less. I am thankful to this man for not giving up when others had. He was able to see past a rough exterior and reach depths in me I didn't know existed.

I am deeply saddened to hear of this loss, particularly the loss to all of the other children he could have impacted so greatly.

Please accept my most sincere sympathy for the loss of this hero.

Respectfully,

Kerry E. Cummings '86 SICP

I just wanted to add my own thoughts beyond those of my husband Andy.



I have witnessed the deep impact & influence Fr. Stan had on Andy's life for almost 18 years. I have always been deeply moved & honestly somewhat envious that Andy's high school experience was such a deeply meaningful, important part of his life & Fr. Stan was undoubtedly the biggest reason for that. And I know that experience and his relationship with Fr Stan helped guide & shape him into the phenomenal, good-hearted man he is and helped shaped the values he holds dear...the kind of values that are truly what is important in life. He had those values & virtues to begin with, but they were certainly supported & deepened by his relationship with Fr Stan.



When I first met him in Reno, Nevada in 1990 I was also immediately drawn to him & his larger than life personality, wit, charm, intelligence, vitality & joy for life. I'll never forget dinner during that visit at a Reno casino where like everywhere he went he seemed to have 1,000 friends & where everyone knew him. It was the 1st of many fine meals I enjoyed with him through the years, including my 1st (& I will say last) glass of Ouzo. What great taste Fr Stan had ... he always knew the best restaurants & the best food, but those were only fringe benefits of an evening with Fr. Stan. His supreme intelligence & intensely interesting viewpoints & input were what made time with him so memorable. Most of our meetings honestly stand out as some of the most vivid, memorable, interesting & meaningful experiences in my life.



I'm so happy that Fr Stan was able to come from Nevada to officate our wedding in 1991. It really holds deep meaning to me that he joined me in the eyes of the Lord with my partner for life Andy. He always gave such sage & wise advice, including as we prepared for marriage. 2 pieces of marriage advice stick out in my mind. First, don't forget when you have children that you were a couple before you were parents. Of course meaning: don't neglect each other, don't become only a parent, remember, cherish, give time to & nurture the loving relationship that led to those beautiful children. It's advice we take to heart, in recent years more than ever, the result being a very deep, loving relationship that I treasure & cherish & am proud of. Second, keep your door open to your friends. Of course meaning keep dear your friendships & relationships & make time to be with your friends.



Fr Stan gave the most beautiful homily at our wedding and many people commented how beautiful & moving it was. I regret I did not have the ceremony video taped ...I wish I could hear the exact words again.



Boy did Fr Stan love his family. He talked with such love & pride about his family...his sister, his brother, his parents, his nephews, niece & their new families. He talked often of his sister & her husband, & how deeply loving & they are towards each other. A story that sticks out involved his brother in law bringing his wife a plastic spoon from lunch one day...a symbol that he'd been thinking about her that day & at that time. Fr Stan told the story in a wonderful way I cannot, but the message sticks out clearly in my mind & often comes to mind...that it's the little things, little moments, just the fact of keeping & cherishing each other that matters & keeps a marriage strong & loving. Such a wise man.



Fr Stan's wisdom, uncanny knack for knowing just what to say at just the right time, his intelligence, his faith, his love for others made him a giant in this life. As I also heard Fr. Stan say more than once, God surely does not make junk. He also surely does not make better than Fr. Stan.



I'm so happy he was part of our lives. I loved him, I will miss him, but I also know he will always be with us as he has been in our hearts for so many years.

Fr. Wiz was my freshman year English teacher and his capacity for humor turned a 'boring' English class into something exciting and fun. A kind and compassionate man, he will be missed by many. God bless.

I was sorry to hear the sad news about Fr. Wiz. My condolences to his family. He touched hundreds of lives at St. Ignatius. I'm sure there's a special place in Heaven for such a wonderful teacher!

Dear Father "Wis,"

Thank you for imparting that special Jesuit discipline in your teaching. You once told my AP English class that "television may have been the worst event to affect modern man." I had no idea then that you were probably correct. May you enjoy that final soliloquy in heaven with your Leader.

Ray Wass, SICP'73, A.M.D.G.

From the first day you taught me in Freshman English through our last visit December 26, 2004, you have had the most profound impact on my life (and I know the lives of so many others). The academic lessons strengthened my mind and prepared me for college. The personal and spiritual guidance prepared me for life and beyond. God blessed me and my family with your friendship. It is absolutely true that in my most dire crises of faith you would call me out of the blue to "check in on things." Without ever discussing faith, you helped me to renew, revive, or strengthen it every single time.



You taught students what I think are the greatest and most important things to know, that is "You are loved. You are loveable. God don't make junk". And "love unconditionally." With that assurance and confidence, faith can begin, grow, renew, and nothing this life throws at you can defeat you.



My children only met you a handful of times, yet they wept for you as much as I. In those few meetings you had a more profound impact on them than almost any other person in their short lives thusfar. You just do that to people.



And for those students that may join you now before their time, I KNOW that you can be there to answer their questions too, especially when they ask "Is it right . . .?



We will miss you. We will never forget you. Goodbye to a man who truly deserves the title "Father."



Love,

Andy Cores, Carla, Andrew Jr. and Katie.

as a freshman @ ignatius the year Father "Wiz" came to 1076 as a just-ordained jesuit priest, I was among the many young men transformed by his wit, humor, and challenging intellect during my years there. the society has lost one of its best.

stan, we love you and will miss you.

We remember Fr. Stan at our parish of Our Lady of the Snows in Reno. He was a wonderful priest and people person. He was also a great cook. He touched our lives and we will miss him very much. God Bless you Fr. Stan.

Our Prayers and love

My high school years were a troubled time for me, but I remember Father Wisniewski quite fondly. He showed compassion, love and humor to me and all my classmates. I wish I could thank him personaly, but I am sure he is with God and knows of my gratitude.

Dear Father Stan,

As my junior year English teacher, you were one of the first professors to truly challenge me and I grew because of it. You gave me guidance and friendship over the years as I made the decision to pursue a career in medicine. I will always be grateful to you for teaching me to "think outside the box" before that phrase was ever coined.



With sincere condolences to the Wisniewski family,

Liz Harrigan Isbister -- SICP Class of 1984

IN SYMPATHY, ROSE VITALE

OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY,



FRANK AND BARBARA SALERNO

he was a wonderful teacher. i appreciated the guidance he provided to me during my tenure at st. ignatius(75-79). may he rest in peace.

As a part time clerk for St. Stephen's Parish, I got to know Fr. Stan along with my mom, Jean Hrastar. He truly had a unique personality and always left you with a smile....if not total laughter. I was sad to hear of his passing, but know that he has gained his reward in Heaven. I'm sure there's a lot of snickering around those Pearly Gates! I'm sure the jokes are flying! God bless the family and friends of this special man.

I was Parish Secretary for St. Stephen's Church for 25 years and I had the pleasure of working for Fr. Stan during the final years of our Parish's existence. We had a lot of laughs and I am glad I got to know him. He will truly be missed. His time on earth may be done, but his wit and humor will live on in those who knew him!

Fr Wisniewski was my English teacher in my freshman year of St Ignatius. His sense of humor and love of his work was something I'll treasure forever. Fr Stan helped me through my first Walk for Ignatius when I didn't think I could do it. He came up with the idea of a walking race between Mr McGuire and another student versus Fr Wisniewski and myself. Wouldn't you know he and I won? I'm going to miss his gentle humor and love for all Ignatians. I last saw him as rector of St. Stephen's Church in my neighborhood and after around 20 years he still recognized me. God bless Fr Wisniewski and his whole family. My condolences to his family and his friends. The loss is a tremendous one.

Father Stan,

I have the most wonderful memories of you and I and Dorothy Holmes spending our teen years together, sharing much laughter and fun times . I'm sorry we lost track of each other, but I thought about you often. I have a treasusred photo of you when you were first ordained. You will always be special in my heart.

Your friend always, Diane

It was my pleasure to have known Fr.

Wis. He sure had a great sense of humor and will be missed by many.

Nearly forty years after he taught me at St. Ignaitus College Prep, my memories of Father "Wiz" are fresh. He brought a dry wit and disciplined passion to his English class. He was an inspiration to me. I know he is with the Lord. My condolence to his entire family.



Ed Reda--Class of '69

Stan,



Your humor and brilliance made you a giant among men. I know the Lord requested you and Johnny Carson to be his jesters during these times of trouble. Even God needs a laugh every now and then.



Your loving little brother,



Tom

The Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus remembers Stan Wisniewski with affection for his 54 years of service and is grateful to the many friends and benefactors who helped make that service possible.