Stanley F. Szymanski, Jr.

Stanley F. Szymanski, Jr., 82, of Ephrata PA, passed away at the Lebanon Veterans Administration Hospital while on Hospice on Sunday, May 19, 2024. Beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to many, he will be deeply missed. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he was the second oldest of six children by the late Stanley F. Sr. and Mary (Kozkra) Szymanski.

Stan enlisted in the United States Army at age 17 in 1958 and served in the 10th combat engineer battalion in Germany and Stateside. He was honorably discharged in 1962 with the rank of specialist fifth class. Stan moved to Lancaster in 1963 to start a family. He worked as a machinist before leaving the trades to begin his sales career with various auto dealerships. In 1978 he opened Clay Car Company in Ephrata Township and continued as owner and manager until his retirement in 2013. Stan enjoyed traveling, having visited 45 states and 14 countries. Also enjoyed spending time with family and friends and especially watching his grandchildren grow up.

Stanley is survived by his daughter Nicole Belfiore, wife of Glenn Belfiore, and two grandchildren Lydia and Dana Belfiore; two sisters, Nancy and Maryanne; several nieces and nephews, and long-time companion, Jean Price. In addition to his parents, Stan was preceded in death by his two brothers, Robert and Richard and a sister, Sherry.

In honor of Stan’s generous and mentoring care he has always had for young people, the family has requested that in lieu of flowers, a donation be given to Advantage Lancaster at www.advantagelancaster.org

A celebration of life service will be held on Fri., June 14th at 11 a.m. in the Ephrata Church of the Brethren, 201 Crescent Ave, Ephrata, PA 17522 and please plan to stay for a luncheon at church after the service.  Interment with military honors will be held at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. Plan to arrive at the cemetery by 2:15 p.m. to follow procession to the pavilion.