Stanley E. Grabinski Jr.

Wasilla resident, Stanley E. Grabinski Jr., 76, died Oct. 12, 2011, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer after a short battle with lung cancer.

Stanley was born Jan. 28, 1935, in Middletown, Conn., the son of Stanley Sr. and Margaret (Annino) Grabinski. Stan served four years in the Navy. During his enlistment he was aboard both the Philly Phen Sea and Midway. Stanley was a Wasilla resident for 20 years. He drove school buses for 15 years and enjoyed reading and camping.

Stanley is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Mary J. Grabinski of Wasilla; children, Katherine Booth of Spokane, Wash., Stanley Grabinski of Middletown, Conn., William Grabinski of Tennessee, Michael, and Christopher and Nikki Vanni, all of Wasilla; grandchildren, Brandon, Tiffany and Tiffany, all of Connecticut; a great-grandchild of Connecticut; and a sister, Pat Booth of Gales Ferry, Conn.

The family was cared for by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.