Stanley Domal's Obituary
Stanley J Domal, beloved husband and father of 5, passed away on September 29, 2022. Stan was affectionally known for his kind and thoughtful demeanor. His favorite response to “how are you doing?” was always “better than I deserve.” Stan grew up on a farm in DeFuniak Springs, Fl, as a first generation American to Polish parents Frank and Rose Domal, along with his older brother Alex and younger sister Julie. He joined the National Guard, then ROTC when he was at the University of Florida, where he played drums in the marching band. He received a BS in Mechanical Engineering at UF, and later a Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering at Purdue. While in the Army he met the love of his life, Mary Hartel, at an officer’s ball. They married on October 2, 1961, in Berlin, Germany, and spent 60 years together full of love and joy. They traveled often, enjoyed the outdoors, and visited with family.
They had 5 children Marisha (Domal) Hartley, Michael Domal (spouse Lisa), Karen (Domal) Fitzgerald (spouse James), Patricia (Domal) Hamlin (spouse Scott), and Deborah (Domal) Black (spouse Shawn). Stan’s life was full of service, spending 22 years in the military, which included overseas tours in Germany, Iran, and Korea, and served 2 tours in Vietnam with the Army Corps of Engineers. He was last stationed at MacDill Air Force Base with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and received multiple commendations. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in St. Petersburg, FL, and then served as the Director of Maintenance for about 170 Hillsborough County Schools in Tampa, FL for 23 years. Stan was an active member of St. Raphael’s Church and a member of Knight’s of Columbus. He also found comfort and guidance as a member of Opus Dei to do his work to the best of is ability, and was known as a man of great integrity. In addition, he never passed a stranger without helping as he was gifted with the ability to fix just about anything. He also was gifted with the ability to listen well and give good counsel.
Devoted to his family, Stan organized 13 summer reunions to get all of his 5 kids, their spouses, and 15 grandchildren together. Music, laughter, and good food was always in abundance. Stan’s grandkids are Sean Domal (spouse Alexis), Shannon (Domal) Collier (spouse Ben), Sommer Domal, Sydney Domal; Briana (Fitzgerald) Grange (spouse Kelton), Paige Fitzgerald, Langley Fitzgerald; David Hartley; Kolbe Hamlin, Brigid Hamlin, Oliver Hamlin; Conner Black (spouse Brooke), Chloe Black, Carson Black, Caroline Black. Stan was happy to know he was blessed with the birth of his great-granddaughter, Raven Black, shortly before God brought him home.
Stan truly loved life and lived it to the fullest. He enjoyed gardening, walks with his wife, feeding wildlife and fixing just about anything. His favorite frequent visitor was a Great Egret he named Jeeves, who patiently waited for his shrimp entree. He also enjoyed a plethora of music from trumpet solos of legendary Louis Armstrong, to Big Bands of Gene Krupa, Glenn Miller, the Dorsey brothers, and Lawrence Welk. The neighborhood knew Stan well and appreciated his optimism and subtle sense of humor. He will be greatly missed by many, but most especially, his family.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you make a donation in his memory to the National Parkinson’s Foundation https://www.parkinson.org/ as well as Suncoast Hospice at https://suncoasthospice.org/online-donations/.
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