Stanley A. Dabrowski
Stanley A. Dabrowski, a devoted husband, father, veteran, engineer, and lifelong learner, passed away on February 4th, 2026 after a short illness at the age of 96. Born in Manchester, New Hampshire, he graduated from Manchester Central High School in 1947. As a young man, he spent hours working at his father’s paint and wallpaper store–Stan’s Paint Store–an iconic fixture in the Manchester community. He always said those years beside his dad shaped him: teaching him the work ethic, kindness, and quiet pride his father carried into every interaction.
After high school, he enlisted in the NH Air National Guard and was called to active duty in the Air Force during the Korean War. He served honorably until his discharge in 1952, an experience that shaped his discipline, sense of duty, and lifelong love of aviation. Soon after, he purchased a single-engine Cessna and spent countless hours exploring New England and beyond from the air. He later sold the plane but he loved telling stories from his flying days. He earned an engineering degree from UNH in 1956, grateful that his service had helped make that opportunity possible.
His intellectual curiosity led him to pursuing advanced coursework and to become an active member of the Institute of Radio Engineers (IRE), the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE), and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Stan’s professional career began at Sylvania, later joining RCA, Avco, and culminating in a 22-year tenure at Raytheon’s Missile Systems Division in Andover, MA. He contributed to major radar, missile, and power-generation programs. Stan was known for his integrity, reliability, and the pride he took in ensuring that complex systems performed safely and effectively.
Early in his career, he spent time in California, where he met the love of his life, Caroyln (Peak) Dabrowski and his life was changed forever. He sold his plane, bought a ring, and the two began building a life together. They married in 1966, and made their home in Nashua, New Hampshire, where they raised their family and shared 57 years together. Although Stan’s work took him all over the world, he found joy in the simple parts of life. He had a natural curiosity about how things worked and could fix just about anything. With Carolyn, he spent years restoring their 1920’s home, taking pride in every project they completed together. From a young age, he fell in love with photography and you could often find him with a camera in his hand. Capturing and refining images was one of his quiet pleasures throughout his life.
In his later years, he moved to Eliot, Maine to be closer to his two daughters, where he was fortunate to find a warm, welcoming community that embraced and supported them. He was known for the Lindt chocolates he loved to hand out in thanks to anyone who offered help or simply stopped by for a visit–a small gesture that reflected both his gratitude and his lifelong love of sweets. Above all, his greatest joy was spending time with his children and his grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, Stanley is predeceased by his loving wife, Caroyln A. (Peak) Dabrowski, his brother-in-law John Bodnar, and sister-in-law Lorraine Dabrowski.
He is survived, loved, and missed by his sister Phyllis Bodnar, brother Frank Dabrowski, and children, Kenneth Dabrowski and his wife Kelly of Nashua, NH; Cynthia Kennie and her husband Michael of Kennebunk, ME; and Sharon McGovern and her husband Brian of Eliot, ME. He was a proud grandfather to Phoebe, Hayden, Jack, Frances, Charlie, Helen, Stella, Arlo, and Emma, and is remembered by family and friends who admired his quiet strength, sharp mind, and generous spirit.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11am on Saturday, February 21st at St. Christopher’s Church, 4 Barrell Lane, York, Maine. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to Footprints Food Pantry, 37 Old Post Road, Kittery, ME, a cause close to Stan’s heart. For online condolences visit www.lucaseatonfuneralhome.com.