Stanley "Stan" John Owczarski, Jr., 68 of North Adams, MA died suddenly Saturday December 26, 2015 at his home. He was born in North Adams, MA on July 7, 1947, son of the late Stanley John Owczarski Sr. and Doris E. (Hiser) Owczarski. He graduated from Drury High School with the class of 1965 and from St. Joseph's College in Bennington, VT, with an associate's degree in business administration. Stan was employed by the Commonwealth of Mass Dept. of Revenue (MDOR) for 40 years until his retirement in 2008. There was a period of time while working at the MDOR, Stan sported a full beard that reminded many of his friends and co-workers of the 1970's television character, Grizzly Adams, and often times he was referred to by that nickname, which would elicit from Stan a wry smile and a wink. Before employment at the MDOR, he worked at the former Budd Paper Co. in Adams. He was a communicant of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church and St. John Bosco Church in Stamford, VT where he served as Eucharistic Minister and was a member of its Finance Council. In his younger years, Stan taught CCD. He volunteered in the Big Brother program and also coached Pee Wee football. He was a longtime member of the Northern Berkshire YMCA and a certified Red Cross CPR instructor. Stan was a member of the National Ski Patrol at Berkshire East and had served as its Western Mass Regional Director. He was also the assistant director of the Berkshire East Ski Patrol and was a Zip-line guide there. From 1992 to 2000, Stan organized the annual "Rock and Rut Mountain Bike Festival" in memory of his father, which raised money for charitable organizations in the area. Most recently he worked at the Friendship Center Food Pantry and was a member of its board of directors. He joined Alan Horbal in placing American flags throughout the community to honor veterans. He was an avid bicyclist and in 2015 met his annual goal of 2000 miles on his road bike. Stan was devoted to his family and enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. Long hikes with his dog, Shambles, were a most important part of every day. Stan is survived by his wife, Joan C. (Mastroianni) Owczarski whom he married on October 13, 1973, three daughters, October Cellana and her husband, Arlen of North Adams; Danielle Owczarski and her husband, Jim Deshler of Cambridge, VT; and Maris Owczarski and her partner, Robert Reynolds of North Adams; and one son - Damien Owczarski of Cambridge, VT. He also leaves four grandchildren including Silas and Sawyer Cellana and Carmela and Wyatt Reynolds; one sister, Barbara Luscia and her husband, Edward of Pownal, VT; and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Robert Owczarski. Stan volunteered at Sullivan School in Mrs. Reardon's fourth grade class for five years. One of the students summed him up best in these words: "Mr. O. looks like a normal guy, but he's spectacular inside." Stan's wishes were that his ashes be scattered upon Mt. Greylock, a mountain in northwestern Massachusetts and the highest point in the state, a place where he, together with family and friends, spent many happy hours.