Thomas Stanley Piekarski, affectionately known as “Stan the Man” to his many relatives and friends, founder of the Somers Men’s Softball League, passed away on Nov. 13, 2025, in Little River, S.C. He was 101.
He was born Feb. 7, 1924, the youngest son and sixth boy of 16 children to Casimira (Kwiatkowska) and Alexander Piekarski of Yonkers, N.Y. Stan attended St. Casimir’s elementary school, Saunders Trades and Technical High School, and then Commerce High School, graduating in 1941.
At age 18, Stan enlisted in the Army Air Corps (later renamed Army Air Forces). After his discharge, he worked at the General Motors Eastern Aircraft facility in Tarrytown, N.Y., which built wings for torpedo bombers deployed in World War II.
After the war, among other jobs, he worked as sports editor at the Ossining Citizen Register before beginning a 33-year career at the U.S. Postal Service. At the main branch of the Yonkers post office system, he rose to chief accountant. He later worked at Mount Vernon, as assistant director of operations, and Poughkeepsie, as director of mail processing.
As a windmill softball pitcher in Yonkers from 1946 to 1967, Stan pitched his teams to 12 top-two finishes, winning seven championships, hurling two no-hitters and taking home a Westchester County tournament title.
He moved with his family to Somers, N.Y., in 1971. In 1972, he founded the (slow-pitch) Somers Men’s Softball League, serving as league commissioner from 1973-1981 and vice president from 1982 to 1991. He was named “Outstanding Player” of the Somers Men’s Softball League in 1984 and Most Valuable Player of the Somers Men’s Fast Pitch Softball League in 1986 at age 62. He played on and led 11 championship teams in the men’s slow-pitch league over five decades (the 1970s through the 2010s).
In the Somers area, his teams won six league bowling championships between 1973 and 1987. At the annual July 4th picnics in Somers, he won five horseshoe pitching tournaments, and he and his wife, “Ellie,” won five egg-throwing contests. He was elected president of the Shenorock Men’s Club in 1975.
Stan had a deep love for his Polish heritage and his family. In addition to his sons and daughters, he always wanted to know what his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were up to. He reveled in talking to them, whether in person or on the phone.
Stan was predeceased by his wife and soulmate of 70 years, Eleanor Marie (Ferencz) Piekarski, who passed in 2019 at age 91. Survivors include his children, Janet (William) Zaccarelli of Mooresville, N.C.; Thomas (Peggy) Piekarski of Bluffton, S.C.; Alexander Piekarski (Jim Ford) of Little River, S.C.; Michael (Debbie) Piekarski of Latham, N.Y.; Ellen (Ed) Schiefelbein of North Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Robert (Marlene) Piekarski of Shenorock, N.Y.; and Sue Ann (Kevin) Kearney of Somers, N.Y.; 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be at Cargain Funeral Home in Mahopac, N.Y., on Friday, Nov. 21, from 3-7 p.m. A Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph's Church in Somers, N.Y., on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 10 a.m.
