May 29, 1936 – September 21, 2026
Stan, 90, was born May 29, 1936, and lived a long, full life. Although he wanted to stay with his loving wife, Fran at their home in Oneida, his family, and many friends, he was ready to go home to heaven when Jesus gently called on September 21, 2026.
A 1954 New London High School alum, he followed in his older brother’s footsteps by joining the Navy in July of 1954 during the end stages of the Korean War. A Great Lakes Naval Academy graduate, he was assigned to the USS Wisconsin Iowa-class battleship as a metalsmith and was trained in damage control, training that served the ship well as he was instrumental in keeping the ship afloat when the Wisconsin had collided with the USS Eaton during maneuvers in heavy fog. He had earned the right of ‘plank owner’ when he helped decommission the USS Wisconsin in November of 1957. By the time his service ended in 1958, he had reached the rank of Petty Officer Second Class.
After serving his country, he returned home to raise his family, children Matthew, Andrew, Ann, and Darrell (deceased), with his first wife, Joanne (Burton). They later divorced. He was a skilled basketball player and loved playing the game in high school. It was his inspiration that ignited in his daughter the passion for playing basketball, having spent many evenings teaching her fundamentals in the driveway while still in his work uniform, as he had done with his sons before that as well. Stan was a highly skilled machinist, welder, and mechanic, having been employed at New London Engineering, Hamilton’s Pickle Factory, and Fox Valley Leasing, until his retirement in 1998.
He met and married his best friend, Frances (Mecikalski) Jezeski, in 1988. They enjoyed 38 wedded years together gardening, fishing, camping, hunting, spoiling numerous dogs and cats over the years, and making many friends through archery golf outings at Mount Morris. Stan will be remembered for his deer hunting ability, having bagged an elusive non-typical 9-point buck that field dressed at 196 lbs. during one of his last gun deer hunting seasons: why try to top that?!
In honor of his military service, in the summer of 2018 Stan received his Tour of Honor on the Old Glory Honor Flight, which was especially meaningful since he and his older brother attended together. He toured numerous national memorials and went to Arlington National Cemetery to watch the changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. When they returned to Appleton International Airport, they received the hero's welcome that they hadn’t received when their service was over. In 2020 Stan served as the Grand Marshal for the Felberg Memorial Ride in New London. The ride raised money to help veterans organizations and honor veterans for their service.
Stan is survived by his wife, Fran, his brother, Don (Judy) Brigham, sons Matthew (Laura Sweet), Andrew, and Ann (Ron) Chrudinsky, stepchildren Tony John, Michele “Shel” (Bob Weller) Nelson, grandchildren Jeremy Brigham, Jessica (Brigham) Dixon, Adam (Alyse) Giacalone, Nicholas (Amanda Wuske) Breiting, Alex (Mariah) Giacalone, a step-grandchild Stevie, Jr. (Kara) Jezeski, several great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren, and nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends he cherished.
He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Frances (Colwitz) Brigham, brother, Harold Brigham, son Darrell, daughter-in-law Susan Brigham, grandson Benjamen Breiting, and stepson-in-law Paul Nelson.
Military honor rites and a Celebration of Life are planned for Sunday, October 18, 2026, at Hidden Waters Golf Course, E4480 State Road 22/54, Waupaca, WI, from 12 to 3 p.m. There will be a prayer service at 12:15 p.m., with military rites to commence at 12:30.
