Stanislaw Swider

Stanislaw “Stanley” Swider passed away on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 surrounded by love at Kresge Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Chelsea, Michigan at the age of 94. Stanislaw is preceded in death by his wife of over 50 years, Danuta “Donna” Swider and his many siblings. He is survived by his loving sons, Wlodek, Andrzej “Andy” (Lois), Thomas (Pamela), and Robert (Deborah), his grandchildren Lyn (Micah) Backlund, Matthew (Liz), Jessica (Robert) Kaminski, Piotr, Sarah, and Christopher, and great-grandchildren, Liam, Caden, and Wesley Backlund. Stanislaw was born in France in 1931 but his family returned to Poland soon afterwards. His family was involved in the Polish resistance during World War II and he has shared many stories of survival during that time. In the mid 60’s he met his Lala, Donna and they married in 1961. In 1964, they made the big decision to pursue the American dream and headed to the US. They settled in the Detroit area following in the footsteps of Stanislaw’s sister Sonja and her husband Edward Poll. When they moved to the US they also met Jerry and Inge Dabrowski, who became lifelong friends and part of their family. Stanislaw always loved to work with his hands and had laser focus when he had a task to complete, so becoming an electrician in the auto industry, laying cables, bending pipe and wiring panels was a logical choice. Being a provider for his family was his main priority and he worked many hours of overtime to make sure his wife and sons were taken care of. Stanislaw loved to be the life of the party and to socialize was one of his greatest joys. He was always there with a joke, funny story and loved to dance with his beloved Donna. He loved tennis and not only did he avidly watch it, he played and was an instructor at various tennis clubs in the metro Detroit area. As he got older, through his sons, he became everyone’s Tata (the Polish name for Dad) and his smile would light up the room. He loved to give the ladies a kiss on the back of the hand, laugh with friends and share a meal. He became DJ Stanley at the senior apartments as he rolled his boombox around the dining room and played requests. Nothing made Stanislaw happier than to be surrounded by family and friends, with good food and big laughs as he watched with pride as his sons and their families took care of him during his last days. Tata will be missed by many, but the love he brought will warm our hearts for years to come.

Stanislaw Swider

August 21, 1931 - November 19, 2025