Stanley R. Kleiner, 78, of Pittsfield died Sunday morning at Berkshire Medical Center from Alzheimer’s disease. Born in Adams on April 9, 1945, the son of Robert H. and Mary Bloniarz Kleiner, he was raised in Glendale, where he attended grammar school, and was a 1963 graduate of Williams High School in Stockbridge. While in high school, he was a star athlete in all sports and was later inducted into the Spartan Hall of Fame. He continued his love of sports by coaching both Little League and Babe Ruth baseball in Stockbridge.
Stanley was employed for 40 years as a papermaker at Schweitzer-Mauduit in Lee and was a member and past president of SPINC Federal Credit Union, retiring in 2004. He was a member of the U.S. Army Reserves from 1965 to 1971 and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant.
Mr. Kleiner was a member of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Housatonic for many years, where he was a volunteer for their Food Pantry and co-chaired the annual bazaar. More recently, he was a communicant of St. Ann’s Church in Lenox. He was a Mr. Fixit, who enjoyed repairing or tinkering with almost anything. Throughout his life, he was an avid Red Sox and Patriot’s fan.
He and his high school sweetheart, Sandra Jennings Kleiner, were married at Corpus Christi Church in Housatonic on October 5, 1968 and made their home in West Stockbridge for 45 years. They would have celebrated 55 years of marriage this week.
Besides his wife, Stanley is survived by their daughter, Sara Kleiner-Goudey (Douglas) of Stockbridge; and their son, Steven Shannon Kleiner (Rodney Mondor) of Berwick, Maine; their two granddaughters, Emily and Samantha Goudey; and his two sisters, Emilia Fracasso of Torrington, Conn. and Maria Colli of Lee.
The funeral of Mr. Stanley R. Kleiner will be Friday morning, at 10 a.m., at St. Ann’s Church, with the Rev. Monsignor John J. Bonzagni celebrating the Liturgy of Christian Burial. Calling hours at the Roche Funeral Home will be Thursday evening, from 5 to 7 p.m. Mr Kleiner’s burial will be in St. Bridget’s Cemetery in Housatonic on Friday afternoon. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Kleiner’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in care of the Roche Funeral Home, 120 Main Street, Lenox, MA 01240. To share memories and stories, please visit the funeral home’s website.
