OBITUARY: Boleslaus (Bill) Ignatious Stanczyk

Surrounded by his wife and best friend Betty and his family, former Plunkett Cooney Managing Partner Boleslaus (Bill) Ignatius Stanczyk died June 24 at the age of 90.

Born in Detroit on August 18, 1931 to Stanislaw and Maryanna Stanczyk, he grew up surrounded by his parents, grandparents, sister Helen and brothers Walter and Tom.

After receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of Detroit in 1954, Stanczyk continued his studies there, attending law school and earning his Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, in 1957. Upon graduation, Stanczyk joined the law firm of Ward, Plunkett & Cooney in 1957 and was named a partner in 1964. Throughout his career of more than 56 years, he built his reputation as a tireless advocate for his clients and one of Michigan’s most tenacious and successful trial attorneys in such areas as medical malpractice, product liability, pharmaceutical liability, and municipal liability.

By 1970, the law firm Ward, Plunkett, Cooney, Rutt & Peacock became known as Plunkett, Cooney, Rutt, Watters, Stanczyk & Pederson. Today, the firm is known as Plunkett Cooney. Stanczyk’s name appears on dozens of Michigan Court of Appeals and Supreme Court opinions as well as numerous federal court opinions. Stanczyk had the distinction of becoming the president of the firm and, for decades, he served as chairman of its Board of Directors. During his tenure with the firm, it grew from 11 attorneys in one Detroit office to over 150 attorneys and 10 offices that included expansion into Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana. Stanczyk’s unwavering commitment to the firm was, in large part, responsible for its reputation today as one of the Midwest’s top law firms.

Always active in the bar and community, Stanczyk was a member of numerous organizations, including the Detroit Chamber of Commerce, Boysville of Michigan, Detroit Rotary, New Detroit Inc., and Michigan Hospital Association. He also served for decades as general counsel to the Michigan Municipal League Liability & Property Pool.

Stanczyk’s professional memberships included the CPR Institute for Dispute Resolution, State Bar of Michigan Negligence Law Section, Detroit Bar Association and Foundation, Association of Defense Trial Counsel, Federation of Insurance Counsel, and Michigan Defense Trial Counsel.

Stanczyk was a dedicated, loving and steadfast parent to five children, Matthew Stanczyk (Suzanne), Laura Stanczyk, Jennifer Stanczyk (Cheryl), Julie Stanczyk, and Aimee Norrell (Jeffery). In later years, he was extraordinarily lucky to meet and marry Elizabeth Riepe, becoming stepfather to her three children, Dave Riepe (Naomi) Linda Riepe Brohl (Sean), and Carole Riepe Welsh. Stanczyk had the great fortune to be grandfather to 15 fabulous individuals (Sarah, Alex, Zachary, Samuel, Nina, Maria, Emma, Charlotte, Jake, Nick, Alyssa, Anthony, Jack, Wiley and Zane) and two extremely adorable great-grandchildren (Violet and Joseph). He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter Julie.

The two great loves of Stanczyk’s life were his family and the law. He leaves this world secure in the knowledge that his children, step-children, and grandchildren will hold each other and his wife Elizabeth Stanczyk in care and love.

A Celebration of Life ceremony took place June 30 at A.J. Desmond & Sons in Royal Oak. Memorial tributes may be made to the Special Olympics of Michigan.