Stan J. Najeway Sr.

Stan Joseph Najeway, Sr. died Sunday, April 26, 2026. He was born in Arnold, Pennsylvania on February 6, 1925 to Frances and Francis Najewicz. He graduated from Arnold High School and then attended Great Lakes Naval Training and The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point,NY. He served as Cadet Engineer aboard the ABRAHAM BALDWIN and Deck Engineer aboard the GEORGE H. WILLIAMS in WWII in both the North Atlantic, and South Pacific. Discharged with Presidential Testimonial Letter, Victory Medal, Atlantic War Medal, Honorable Service Button and Marchant Marine Emblem. After the War, he attended Wake Forest College on a full ride athletic scholarship graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics.

He fondly remembered his days playing basketball at Wake as a four year starter, listed as one of the top ten players in the south and one of the top 50 in the United States. In recent years he was inducted into the Wake Forest University Hall of Fame, Allegheny-Kiski Valley Sports Hall of Fame, and the Summit County Sports Hall of Fame.

Stan with his wife Pat, raised five children and their lives were filled with school activities and sports. Stan was a charter member of Knights of Columbus and an usher at St. Sebastian Church, where he was member for more than 70 years. Stan's love of basketball continued all his life. He coached both boys' and girls' school basketball teams and joined his children for afternoons of fun on the family's court. And until just last month, he attended the Zips basketball games at the University of Akron.

Stan is survived by his five children: Stan,Jr.(Sharon), Anne Vainer, Stephen, Cecelia, John (Colleen Kipfstuhl) and grandchildren: Christopher and Madison and Brother in Law William (Margaret) Long. He is preceded in death by his wife Patricia (Pat), brothers Edward and Joseph Najewicz; and sisters, Cecelia Walsh, Catherine Rybaski, Faye Quigley, and Helen Trebec.

A funeral Mass will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 2 at St. Sebastian Catholic Church. Calling hours will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m at Hummel Funeral Home (Fairlawn Location). In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Catholic Charities Adult Day Services, 812 Biruta St., Akron, Ohio 44307