Stanley Progy

Stanley “W2EWM” Progy of Hawleyton   Stanley Progy, 92, passed away Tuesday, February 28, 2012. He was predeceased by his parents, Michael and Pauline Progy, sister, Helen Progy Wilcox, brother, Henry Progy and infant twin brothers, John and Marion. Stan is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Gayle Ann (Williams) Progy, daughter, Michelle Hockenberry, League City, Tx., daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Sam Smith, Winter Haven, Fla., grandsons, Richard Wilkinson, Jacksonville, Fla., Jimmy and Kristen Hockenberry, Belle Chasse, La., three granddaughters, Richelle Wilkinson and Samantha Smith, Winter Haven, Fla. and Margayle Hockenberry, League City, Tx. He is also survived by six great grandchildren, Christopher, Zoe and Miranda Wilkinson, Jaden Odom, James, Jr. and Hunter Hockenberry, several nieces, nephews, cousins and his faithful companion, Tootsie. Stan served in the 4th Marine Division during World War II serving in Tinan, Saipan, Roi-Namur and Iwo Jima. He earned three Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars. Stan is a life member of both the John Thurston Marine Corps Detachment and the 4th Marine Division. Upon his return from the war, Stan purchased three school buses to transport the youngsters in Hawleyton and the Southside to Vestal and Binghamton schools. Once a month he would take some of his “kids” roller skating at the Knickerbocker Roller Rink on Water Street in Binghamton as his treat. Many of those youngsters still remember riding on Stan’s bus. He worked many years with Morris Distributing repairing radio and electronic equipment. He retired from NYSEG and is a member of their Quarter Century Club. Stan and Gayle returned to the family farm and enjoyed sharing their bounty of fruits and vegetables with family and friends. He was taught early in his childhood that he should share all that he had with those around him. Stan was an avid amateur radio operator with the call sign W2EWM and had a repeater site on Progy Mountain. The Radio Breakfast Club will miss him as well as the Sunday Morning Coffee Klatch Gang on the farm. Stan for years taught “his boys” many skills including; mechanics, gardening, woodworking and toolmaking. Stan’s family would like to thank the staff of the Renal Care Center for their compassionate care for many years. Funeral services will be held 11:00 am, Friday, March 2, 2012 at the DeMunn Funeral Home, 36 Conklin Avenue, Binghamton with the Reverend John Pooler officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow services in Chenango Valley Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 4:00 until 7:00 pm, Thursday, March 1, 2012. Memorial contributions in Stan’s name may be made to the Renal Care Center, 65 Pennsylvania Avenue, Binghamton, NY 13903. To forward condolences please visit www.demunnfh.com.