Daniel B. Stolarski

Daniel Bert Stolarski, 94, born May 17, 1930, peacefully passed away on November 22, 2024.

Surviving are his beloved children, Amy, Jill, Pete, Scott, Gail (John) Katafiasz, Nora (Gerry) Katafiasz, Carol (Paul “Pete”) Gulch, and Leah (Tony) Dickens. His legacy continues through his grandchildren, Nicole Burkholder, Samantha Burkholder (Anthony Romeo), Alexis Katafiasz, Rachel Katafiasz (Antonio Turner), Adam Katafiasz, Marisa Dickens, and great-grandchildren, Amaya Turner, Luca and Nico Romeo.

Dan was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Rosemary (Ehrman), his parents, Bert and Clara (Suszka) Stolarski, brother Ed (Dolores) Stolarski, and son in law Ron Shultz.

Dan was born in Toledo to Bert and Clara Stolarski. His dad Bert immigrated to the United States from Poland with his aunt and brother when he was 5 years old. His mother Clara was born in Toledo and was a housewife while Bert worked as a machine operator during the war where he was a foreman. Dan’s favorite childhood memory was playing under the back porch digging holes and playing with his cars.

Dan’s first job was delivering The Toledo Blade in grade school through high school. He graduated from Macomber High School in 1948. Dan attended The Ohio State University studying engineering. His dorm room was located at the end zone of the football stadium.

Dan met his future wife Rosemary at the Michigan Tavern in 1955. He went for beers and dancing where his friend Neil danced with Rosemary. She asked Neil to ask Dan to dance with her. Rosemary said, “Are you going to ask me for my number?” Dan replied, “I’m sure it’s in the phone book.” And that began their life story, married on May 25, 1957 and raised 8 children in Toledo.

Dan liked drafting work and chose that for his career. He worked as a draftsman at LKL Engineers (formerly RC Reese and Associates) for over 40 years. He made drawings of structural framing plans for buildings. He also volunteered his time for over 60 years at St Clement Parish. He served as a Eucharistic minister and mass usher as well as took part in CYO and the annual Fun Fest. He also counted the Sunday collections and headed out for brunch with the group after.

Dan’s favorite hobby was collecting stamps. In 1969, a fellow worker showed him his stamps so Dan wrote to a guy and started his stamp collection. He had stamps from all over the world. For him, it was a way to tour the world through stamps, to see the cities and monuments. Dan didn’t have to travel or visit any locations when he was able to see it right there on the stamp. He also enjoyed going out to dinner to many restaurants in Toledo, snacking on anything sugar related, and watching his favorite TV shows, reading the newspaper and books.

When asked why he had lived for so long and outlived his family, Dan didn’t know. He was proud of his family and believed he raised them right, and he didn’t have any bad memories. His advice to his younger self was to find something that you like to do and do it.

Visitation will be at Newcomer Funeral Home, 3655 King Road, Toledo, OH from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. with a prayer service starting at 5:00  p.m. on Tuesday, November 26, 2024.  On Wednesday, Dan will have a visitation at St. Clement Parish, 3030 Tremainsville Rd, Toledo, OH from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. with the mass starting at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery. The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Toledo Society of St. Vincent de Paul Society in memory of Dan.