Remembering

Frederick Stanley Garstka

Longtime OIB AWS

Chapter Member

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August 11, 2025 - It is with deep sorrow I announce the sudden death of Fred Garstka loving husband and father on Monday, August 11, 2025.  Born Frederick Stanley Garstka, September 25, 1941, Meriden, CT.  son of Stanley and Ann Garstka.
Fred is survived by his wife Sue Garstka, son Adam Garstka, brothers Stan Garstka (wife Janet), Larry Garstka, many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Fred and Sue were married September 4, 1981 in Greenwich, Ct and lived in Stamford for 31 years.  They moved to Calabash, NC in 2013 where they currently reside.
Growing up Fred loved raising chickens in his parents back yard in the 1950's.  He had 10 chickens and would sell eggs to the neighbors for about 60 cents a dozen.
As a young man he was, along with one of his brothers and cousin, a rapid collector of stamps and coins.  He knew virtually every bank teller in Meriden, Ct. who would look out for various coins he needed for his collection.  Every postal teller was also aware of him and would save plate blocks of stamps for his collection.  He once sent out a note to offices in 169 CT towns, and asked the postmaster to hand cancel a return envelope addressed to him.
He loved nature and gardening.  He and his brothers searched out every wild blueberry, strawberry, and elderberry batch with a few miles of their house which was their mother's main source of ingredients for pies and jellies every year.  From his teenage years until later in life he enjoyed growing vegetables and in particular flowers. Even after getting married he enjoyed working in his garden planting tomatoes, cucumbers and various vegetables even though the only thing he ate were the tomatoes.
He graduated high school and went to work for Revere Corporation (electronics assembler) in Wallingford, CT.  One year later he enlisted in the Air Force for four years and spent time overseas in Turkey and Guam where there was a large electronics facility.  He spent his time there in many classes learning about modern electronics.  When his four year term was up he was hired at the facility there as a civilian employee, and worked there for one year.
Fred came back to the states and obtained employment by Sensormatic Electronics in 1971 (where he met his wife years later), and was employed there for the rest of his professional career as The New York Region Manager of Design and Supervisor of Installation of electronic theft deterrent systems. He retired in 2001 after 30 years.
All of his life he was the most generous, and thoughtful person......always remembering birthdays, anniversaries, etc. He was always there to lend a helping hand with anyone in need. Other descriptors from friends include giving of his time, energy - authentic, genuine, reliable, supportive, steadfast, trustworthy. 
He was an active member of the American Wine Society Ocean Isle Beach chapter and a  member  of St. Brendans Church.  Fred also engaged in dinners out  with close friends on a weekly basis and enjoyed all his travels with Sue and Adam.
If you wish to make a donation in Fred's memory, in lieu of flowers, please do so to:  American Wine Society Scholarship Fund Ocean Isle Beach Chapter.  Checks can be made out to: AWS OIB Chapter, mailed to Mr. Stanley Barwikowski, 1257 Frisking Lane, Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469 Please be sure to mention in the memo section (Scholarship Fund) or to a charity of your choice.