Frederick l. stagnaro

Frederick L. Stagnaro, 77, of Smithville, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 26, 2012 surrounded by his loving family.
Fred was born to the late Frederick Joseph and Catherine Agnes (Lennon) Stagnaro, June 20, 1934, in Manhattan. He joined the New York City Police Department shortly after graduating from St. Anthony's High School in Smithtown and served his country in the United States Army from 1957 to 1959.
Fred married the love of his life, Eileen Bridget Farrell, on May 9, 1959. He was one of New York's Finest for 20 years before retiring in 1976, at which point the family traded in city life for the 153-acres known as "The Farm."
It wasn't until he turned 50 that he found his true second calling: flying. Within a few short years he opened his own flight school, Norwich Flight Instruction. He loved introducing others to aviation, and helped many students earn their private pilot license.
A star athlete in his youth, Fred was highly competitive and excelled at everything he put his mind to. He had many hobbies and interests over the years including sailing, boating, hunting, fishing, and skeet shooting. The family home is testament to his passion and skill with stained glass, woodworking and masonry.
To the end, Fred lived his life with honesty, integrity, dignity, passion, humor and kindness. He fought to the very end, and truly "died with his boots on." His family takes comfort in knowing he is no longer suffering and is finally at peace. He will be remembered always as a loving husband, brother, father, grandfather, uncle, pilot, instructor and friend.
Fred was predeceased by his parents; his cousins John Curry, Joseph Delaney and Louis Esposito; his brother-in-laws Richard Lopresti and Robert Kuddar; and sister-in-law Loretta Kuddar. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 53 years, Eileen; his children Patricia Stagnaro, Dennis (Lisa) Stagnaro, Kenneth (Amy) Stagnaro and Melissa Stagnaro; and his sister, Sister Kathleen Stagnaro, OSF. His grandchildren John and Jessica Cullen, Madison Stagnaro, Mason Wucher, Isabella and Elizabeth Stagnaro and Trista and Tia Thorn were the light of his life. The entire Farrell Family mourns the loss of one who was more than a brother-in-law, more than an uncle. Scores of nieces and nephews will forever hold memories of "Uncle Fred" in their hearts. He will be remembered, too, by all those whose lives he touched, particularly those he taught to fly.
A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, February 4th, 2012 at St. Joseph's Church, State St., Oxford at 11:30 AM. Friends may call at the Behe Funeral Home, 21 Main St., Oxford on Friday, February 3rd, 2012 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes Street, Norwich, NY, 13815.