Stanislav "Stan" Ponca passed away after a brief illness on September 29, 2022. He was born in 1939 in Slovakia. Stan and his family escaped from communist Czechoslovakia when he was 46 years old, and started a new life in Central New York. He worked as a mechanical engineer at Pass & Seymour and later, at New Venture Gear, from which he retired.

He was predeceased by his parents, Jan and Antonia, and brothers, Viliam and Peter.

Surviving to cherish his memory are his wife of 58 years, Anna; daughter, Zuzana and son, Peter.

Stan loved his life as a free man in America. He was courageous, kind and giving. Stan had an inquisitive mind his whole life and never stopped exploring and learning. He loved to play chess, and last year obtained his radio license. In his well-deserved retirement, he and his wife, Anna, traveled and explored the world and the beautiful nature of Central New York, including Beaver Lake, their favorite place to hike and cross-country ski. Their favorite activity was geocaching, which brought them to many unexpected places.

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at 10:00 am in Pope John XXIII Catholic Church, 8290 Soule Rd., Liverpool, NY 13090. The Rite of Committal and burial will follow in Our Lady of Peace Cemetery, Baldwinsville.

The family would like to thank the nurses and doctors of Upstate University Hospital and the Francis House that provided him with loving care.

Contributions in Stan's memory may be made to: Francis House, 108 Michaels Ave, Syracuse, NY 13208 or visit: francishouseny.org.

Please sign the funeral home on-line guest book for Stan to express your condolences to his family.