Stanley Papanos

Stanley Papanos, 89, of Coventry, died Thursday (March 29, 2007). Born in New Haven, CT, son of William and Lillian (Rogers) Papanos he was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Mary (Beebe) Papanos. Early youth was spent in Hartford and West Hartford. After graduating from Hall High School in West Hartford in 1936 he entered the University of Connecticut and received his B.S. in 1942 and MS in 1950 in Agronomy. As a student athlete he was co-captain of the 1940 football team as a guard. He was an honorary member of the Small College Little All America squad. After graduation he coached the UConn freshman line and played the 1942 season with the Hartford Blues, a semi pro football team. He enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard in October 1942 and served as a weatherman in the European and Asiatic theaters. From 1946 to 1951 he was an instructor in Agronomy in the College of Agriculture. In 1951 he was employed by the U.S. Soil Conservation Service as a farm planner for Tolland County. In 1954 he was appointed County Agricultural Extension agent in the College of Agriculture. He was assigned to Hartford County working with dairy, poultry, vegetable, and fruit producers. Due to his early research with grasses and interest in sod production, he was assigned as turf specialist for the state. He was highly regarded by the sod producers and landscape contractors for his educational programs, writing and publishing of turf bulletins, newspaper articles and radio and tv programs. He assisted in the founding of the New England Sod Growers Association and the CT Ground Keepers Association. Active in community service he served on the 250th and 275th Coventry Anniversary Planning Committees, the recreation, school, and library building committees. He coached midget football and lettered many signs and vehicles for the town, church and community groups. He was a self taught painter, photographer and gardener. In retirement he built wooden toys. He and his wife, Mary traveled extensively across American and several foreign countries. He is survived by five sons: Robert and his wife Victoria of Houston, Texas, William of Coventry, Richard and his wife Diane of Vernon, Thomas and his wife Chariya of Santa Paula, California, and Charles of Montgomery, Illinois, a sister Alexandria of La Mesa, California, and a brother, Peter of San Diego, California, and 7 grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at the Second Congregational Church, 1746 Boston Turnpike (Route 44-A), Coventry on Saturday, April 14th at 2 pm with a reception in the Church Community Center immediately following. Memorial contributions may be made to the Booth & Dimock Memorial Library, 1134 Main Street, Coventry, CT 06238. The Potter Funeral Home of Willimantic is in charge of the arrangements.