Obituary for Stanley J. Szortyka
Stanley J. Szortyka, formerly of Reading, PA, currently residing in Wyomissing, PA died on July 1, 2022, due to complications of cancer.
Born in Pringle, PA, on May 14, 1927, to Polish Immigrants, Stanley Szortyka, a coal miner, and his wife, Alexandria. Growing up in a coal mining town was a hard and difficult life, and Stanley lost his father at age 12 to Black Lung Disease. He vowed to escape that life and get to the “other side of the tracks.” He served his country in World War II, coming back to Pringle to work at the now defunct French Steak Co., where he learned the meat business. Stanley met his wife, Paula, at a Roller-Skating Rink in nearby Luzerne, and married in 1949. After the birth of his children, Sergei and Nancy, he moved to Reading where he started his own company, Quaker Maid Meats, Inc. Located in a shared space with a boning company, he commuted from Forty Fort where Paula and the children lived to Reading for two years until he felt established enough to purchase a home in the Reading area and move his family. For the next decade he worked tirelessly to build and grow the business, doing everything from production to sales. His strong work ethic and moral values allowed for his continued success, He was a tough but compassionate man, and never wanted to “make money off the sweat of another man’s back”. This mantra was instilled in his children who currently are fully involved in the operation of Quaker Maid along with an exceptional management team.
Family was the number one priority in his life, and he continually professed that to everyone. A truly self-made man he will be remembered for his accomplishments in the meat industry as well as his commitment to the Reading community.
Stanley was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Paula; sisters, Celia, Helen and Regina; and his brother, Peter. Left to hold his memories close are his children, S. Sergei, married to Linda F. (Davis) Szortyka, and P. Nancy, married to Schuyler Deale; two grandchildren, Colette, married to Victoria Nitti, and Natashja, married to Andrew Price; three great grandchildren, Gary, Alexsandr and Theodore; nephews Robert and Leo; nieces Alicia, Phyllis and Patricia; and his special friend, Julie Braun.
Services will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Hope Rescue Mission 654 N. 6th St. Reading, PA 19601. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc, is entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at kuhnfuneralhomes.com.
Born in Pringle, PA, on May 14, 1927, to Polish Immigrants, Stanley Szortyka, a coal miner, and his wife, Alexandria. Growing up in a coal mining town was a hard and difficult life, and Stanley lost his father at age 12 to Black Lung Disease. He vowed to escape that life and get to the “other side of the tracks.” He served his country in World War II, coming back to Pringle to work at the now defunct French Steak Co., where he learned the meat business. Stanley met his wife, Paula, at a Roller-Skating Rink in nearby Luzerne, and married in 1949. After the birth of his children, Sergei and Nancy, he moved to Reading where he started his own company, Quaker Maid Meats, Inc. Located in a shared space with a boning company, he commuted from Forty Fort where Paula and the children lived to Reading for two years until he felt established enough to purchase a home in the Reading area and move his family. For the next decade he worked tirelessly to build and grow the business, doing everything from production to sales. His strong work ethic and moral values allowed for his continued success, He was a tough but compassionate man, and never wanted to “make money off the sweat of another man’s back”. This mantra was instilled in his children who currently are fully involved in the operation of Quaker Maid along with an exceptional management team.
Family was the number one priority in his life, and he continually professed that to everyone. A truly self-made man he will be remembered for his accomplishments in the meat industry as well as his commitment to the Reading community.
Stanley was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Paula; sisters, Celia, Helen and Regina; and his brother, Peter. Left to hold his memories close are his children, S. Sergei, married to Linda F. (Davis) Szortyka, and P. Nancy, married to Schuyler Deale; two grandchildren, Colette, married to Victoria Nitti, and Natashja, married to Andrew Price; three great grandchildren, Gary, Alexsandr and Theodore; nephews Robert and Leo; nieces Alicia, Phyllis and Patricia; and his special friend, Julie Braun.
Services will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Hope Rescue Mission 654 N. 6th St. Reading, PA 19601. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc, is entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at kuhnfuneralhomes.com.