Stanley J. Modzelesky, 69, died Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011 at 6 a.m. at St. Luke’s Hospital following a diabetes complication.

He leaves his only son, Craig Modzelesky, 30, of San Francisco, Calif., and Tokyo, Japan.

Born and raised in Connecticut, Stanley worked tirelessly for the state of Connecticut before retiring to Tryon more than 15 years ago. He moved here with his loving, compassionate mother, Genevieve; his sister, Maurine, and his brother-in-law, David. Sadly, all three passed before Stanley, leaving him on his own.

Stanley loved boats and fishing and often took his son out into the Atlantic to catch blue fish on his small boat in Connecticut. He was very adamant that the boat was well scrubbed once docked, before any of the delicious fish could be cooked. Stanley was also an avid fan of golf. He would spend afternoons in parks in Hartford, wandering the back nine, looking for lost balls in the woods, or whittling away an afternoon at the driving range.

Saturday and Sunday afternoon were spent catching up on college football on the TV, or enjoying horse racing.

Stanley was loved by his community here in Tryon. Especially by his nurses, Sherrie Andrus, Angela Conner and Barbara Selby.

He was an active member of the Kiwanis International, Knights of Columbus and St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. After mass on Saturday nights, Stanley could be seen enjoying food at his beloved Blue Ridge BBQ. He was also a big fan of Sidestreet Pizza.

He also spent many years donating his time, energy and love, helping build houses for those less fortunate with Habitat for Humanity.

A funeral service will be held tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 12, at 10 a.m., at St. John the Baptist’s Catholic Church on 180 Laurel Avenue. All are welcome.