WEBSTER – Stanley P. Tanca, 86, of 18 Priscilla Beach Road, White Horse Beach, formerly of Webster, died Tuesday, January 23, in Jordan Hospital, Plymouth, after being stricken ill. His wife of 48 years, Ann (Soter) Tanca, died in 1995.
He leaves a daughter, Barbara T. Khouri and her husband George A. of Greenwich, CT; 2 grandchildren, Alexandra Khouri of New York City, and Christopher Khouri, in his junior at the University of Pennsylvania; 2 brothers, Chris Tanca of Dudley and Van Tanca of Hollywood, FL; 2 sisters, Ernie Rucho and Betty Mitro, both of Charlotte, NC; and nephews and nieces.
He was born and raised in North Grosvenordale, CT, a son of Leo P. and Sophie (Cuistica) Tanca. He lived in Webster for 25 years before moving to Deltona, FL in 1975. He graduated from Tourtellotte Memorial High School.
He was a World War II Army Air Force Veteran, serving as a navigator, bomber pilot and captain. He then was in the reserves for many years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Mr. Tanca was a member of the Webster Police Department for 25 years, retiring as a sergeant in 1975.
He was a member of Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church when he lived in this area. He was a member and past master of the Webster Lodge of Masons. He was a corporator of the Webster Five Cents Savings Bank for many years.
The funeral will be held Friday, January 26, from the Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School St. with a service at 1:00 PM in Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 35 Lake Parkway. Burial will be in West Thompson Cemetery, Thompson, CT. Calling hours are from 7:00 to 9:00 PM Thursday, January 25, in the funeral home, with a Trisagion service at 8:00 PM. The Webster Lodge of Masons will perform their ritual at 7:30 PM.