DUDLEY – Edwin J. “Pee Wee” Stochaj, 69, of 23 Brentwood Drive, died Tuesday, August 23, in Hubbard Regional Hospital after being stricken ill.
He leaves his wife of 46 years, Ann N. (Lonergan) Stochaj; a son, James J. and his wife Lisa R. Stochaj of Dudley; 3 daughters, Lynn A. Paglione of Mansfield Center, CT, Mary Elizabeth and her husband Kenneth R. Dill, and Kate M. and her husband Dean W. Packard, all of Dudley; a brother, John M. Stochaj of Berkeley Heights, NJ; 9 grandchildren, Kara, Michael, Benjamin, Alaina, Nicholas, Thomas, Brooke, Abigail and John; nephews and nieces. His sister, Eleanor M. Stochaj of Brighton, died in 1992.
He was born and raised in Webster, the son of Dr. John W. and Antoinette (Santor) Stochaj, and lived in Webster before moving to Dudley 34 years ago. He graduated from Bartlett High School in 1954, where he distinguished himself as a three-sport athlete, as well as being the captain of both the football and basketball teams. He then attended Wilbraham Academy and Springfield College..
Mr. Stochaj founded the E. J. Stochaj Insurance Agency in 1975, where he worked until retiring. In retirement, he was a regular visitor at the agency. He had previously been the staff manager for The Travelers in Worcester.
He was a member of Saint Anthony of Padua Church. He was a member of the board of directors and the treasurer of the Webster First Federal Credit Union. He was once the treasurer and board member at Hubbard Regional Hospital. He was a longtime member of the Webster-Dudley Country Club and the Independent Insurance Agents of Mass.
The funeral will be held Friday, August 26, from the Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School St., Webster, with a Mass at 10:00 AM in St. Anthony of Padua Church, 24 Dudley Hill Road. Burial will be in St. Joseph Garden of Peace, Webster. Calling hours are from 6:00 to 8:30 PM Thursday, August 25, at the funeral home. Flowers may be sent, or donations be made to the Dudley Little League, PO Box 202, Dudley, MA 01571-0202