Stanley Harold Bak, 81, of Ocean View, Delaware (formerly of Newark, Delaware), passed away peacefully on June 28, 2026, with his loving family by his side. Born on December 19, 1944, in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Stanley William Bak and Bernice Bak Smith (née Bird). He was the devoted husband of 61 years to Linda Carol Bak (née Miller), and loving father to Carol Lynn Bak and Stanley Harold Bak Jr. (Jay).

Stanley enjoyed a distinguished career as an industrial heating/cooling engineer, employed at the DuPont Corporation until retirement from there in 1978. He then continued his career as a consultant with Day and Zimmerman on various industrial facility projects. His expertise took him across the United States and around the world, often to China and India. He also applied his talents closer to home, personally designing the family home built in Newark. Respected by colleagues for his skill and dedication, he finally retired in 2023.

Beyond his professional life, Stanley was deeply committed to the Special Olympics for 51 years. He was an early and passionate volunteer, initially contributing to Track & Field events before introducing Bocce Ball as a competitive sport after discovering it during a trip to Italy. He served on the Delaware Board of Directors, was inducted into the Family Hall of Fame, and was nominated as Most Outstanding Sports Director. He proudly led his team to the National Games in New Jersey in 2013 and the World Games in Ireland in 2003. His enthusiasm and leadership left a lasting impact on countless athletes and families. That love and appreciation was reflected in the many cards and drawings he received from his athletes during his illness.

Stanley also loved watching baseball, holding seasonal tickets to the Orioles games for many years and cheering on the Delmarva Shorebirds games with his family.

Stanley will be remembered for his kindness, honesty, generosity, and unwavering support for his community and family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his son, Stanley Bak Jr. (Jay), brother Kenneth Bak, and brother-in-law Thomas Miller.

He leaves a lifetime of wonderful memories to his loving wife, Linda; his daughter, Carol; his grandsons Jayson Bak and Justin Bak, his siblings, Donna Zeller, Timothy Bak, Karen Biscardi and Ryan Riboldi, Patricia Lutz and Kim, and many additional family and friends.

A celebration of Stanley’s life will be held on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 11:00 AM at the R.T. Foard & Jones Funeral Home, 122 West Main Street, Newark, DE. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 AM. Private family interment will be held at Brookview Cemetery.

in lieu of flowers, contributions should be made to Special Olympic Delaware – www. sode.org