Isador Robert Stanga

Isador Robert Stanga1915 – 2009 Isador Robert Stanga passed away at his home in Salt Lake City on June 30^th, 2009.  He is survived by his son Burt (Susan); grandchildren Brian (Sarah), Robert (Karen), Sean, Heather (Jeff) and Nicole; great granddaughters Lauren, Avery, Annemarie and Ella.  He also leaves two sisters in law Olga Dalnodar and Ruby Dalnodar Davis along with fifteen nieces and nephews.  Robert was preceded in death by his wife Jennie; his parents; brother Victor, Tullio and Bruno; sister Maria; infant daughter Darlene; and his beloved son Gary. Isador Robert Stanga was born on January 11^th, 1915 in Cumberland, Wyoming to Antonio and Leopolda Dongilli Stanga.  Tragically, his father Antonio and his oldest brother Victor were killed in a coal mine accident in 1916.  He was cared for by his mother and older brother Tullio and sister Maria.  Later the family moved to Diamondville, Wyoming.  When he was fifteen years old his mother passed away and at the height of the Depression he was alone and his life was not easy.  He lived with various relatives and friends and graduated from Ogden High School in 1934.  He married Jennie Dalnodar on December 14^th, 1941 in Rock Springs, Wyoming at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church.  They celebrated 66 wonderful years of marriage until Jennie passed away on December 26^th, 2007.  He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and was crew chief on a B-25 stationed in Pampa, Texas.  Following the war, he and Jennie moved to California and then to Salt Lake City in 1950.  He was employed for 27 years at Chevron Oil Refinery in North Salt Lake retiring in 1977 at age 62.  He was a long time member of St. Ann Catholic Church. Dad (Grandpa) is remembered as an active outdoorsman.  He loved fishing and hunting and his son and grandchildren are forever grateful that he passed on his love and skills in these passions.  He enjoyed his flower garden, his showplace backyard patio and fountain and just “tinkering” in his garage.  There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix and he made many household and camping items.  His grandchildren especially remember his many colorful and witty sayings many of which are repeated often in the family. However, there is one skill that he will never know he had.  He outlived almost all of his contemporaries and in doing so with grace and dignity taught each of us the most valuable lesson we may ever learn. The family is deeply grateful to his wonderful caregivers who made it possible for him to stay in his home and contributed greatly to his comfort and health these past few years. Holy Rosary will be recited at St. Ann Catholic Church, 450 East 2100 South on Sunday, July 5^th, 2009 at 7:00 PM where visitation will begin at 6:00 PM.  Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Monday, July 6^th, 2009 also at St. Ann.  Entombment to follow at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 4^th Ave and T Street.