Lawrence (Larry) Stankus

Lawrence Stankus passed away on Monday, January 16, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida.

“Larry” was born in Middletown, CT on August 21, 1944. He grew up on the family farm on Brault Hill Road in Higganum and graduated from Middletown High School. Larry enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was sent briefly to Vietnam, before being stationed in Ubon, Thailand as a Communication Center Operator. He was then stationed at SAC Headquarters in Nebraska where he was the shift NCOIC at its communications center when President Kennedy was assassinated. After completing his enlistment, he returned to Higganum and began attending CCSU, later graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting.

Larry worked at Jarvis Products in Middlefield, and Cheeseborough Ponds in Clinton. He later purchased Killingworth Country Hardware which he operated from the mid 70’s to the late 80’s. At this store he mentored and employed many young workers. It was during this period he began working as an accountant for friends and customers. He also started Connecticut Post and Beam with his brother Norman Bersing, which became a part of Heritage Colonial, Inc.  As years progressed, he focused his energy on accounting and earned his Enrolled Agent designation from the Internal Revenue Service. He ended all but his tax business (Shoreline Business Advisor) which he operated until approximately 2010.  In semi-retirement he continued to do tax work, expanding into Georgia where he built a home. He earned a degree in Divinity studies and devoted much of his time to the Grace Church in Old Saybrook, CT.

After moving permanently to Georgia, he opened another tax and consulting business.  He also co-founded Psalms 1:12 (Homeless Prevention) with Pastor Nancy Kornegay.  Larry became Senior Warden at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Hinesville, GA.  He was involved in many areas of the church where he eagerly assisted Rev. Vilar.

Larry was preceded in death by his mother Beatrice (Brault) Bersing; stepfather, Ed Bersing; and his first wife, Janet (Conant) Stankus.

Larry is survived by his wife, Marie Cullen; his brothers, Warren Bersing (Flavio Tinoco) and Norman Bersing (Paula Glenn); sons, Norman Ewing (Raquel) and Matthew Ewing (Marisol); and grandchildren, Jillian, Joseph and Matthew (II) Ewing.

Visitation will be from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 19, 2023 St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 302 East General Stewart Way, Hinesville, GA. A Funeral Mass will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, January 20, 2023 St. Philips Episcopal Church with Reverend Jose Vilar officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow at 10:00 a.m. in Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 8819 US HWY 301, Glennville, GA 30427.

Carter Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. To share a memory or leave a condolence, please visit www.carteroglethorpe.com.