Michael Charles StankusVero Beach, FLMichael Charles Stankus (Mike) of Vero Beach, Florida, formally of Middlebury, Connecticut, departed this world on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at VNA Hospice House after his battle with cancer. He passed in peace with grace and dignity at the age of seventy. Mike was born on October 12, 1946 in Meriden, Connecticut to John Stankus and Vera (Lochowski) Stankus. He married the late Gayle Daddona in Middlebury, Connecticut on January 7, 1972. Michael married Wendy Faubel in Wallingford, Connecticut on June 21, 2003.Mike graduated from Lyman Hall High School, Wallingford, CT in 1965 and attended Bridgton Academy, Maine and Colby College, Maine. Mike served in the Merchant Marines from 1968 to 1972. He was employed by Sikorski Aircraft in Connecticut for seventeen years as a Safety Engineer. He moved to Fredericksburg, Virginia in 2002 and was employed by URS (formerly EG&G) as a Munitions Specialist and System Safety Engineer until his retirement in April of 2014. Mike was an avid hunter and fisherman. He spent over twenty years as a volunteer for the Special Olympics in Connecticut and ran the Special Fishing Olympics at Southbury Training School in the 1980's and 1990's. He volunteered to teach fly tying for the Wounded Warriors of Virginia. He was a member of Living Lord Lutheran Church in Vero Beach, Florida and was an active member of the choir. Mike will be remembered for his generosity and his kind acts of charity to many organizations as well as to friends and family. He was an animal lover and always had his pocket full of treats for every dog in the neighborhood. He had a very unique sense of humor and was known for that special smile that he shared. He enjoyed wearing humorous tee shirts that had sayings on them that always drew attention from anyone who encountered Mike.He is survived by his wife, Wendy Faubel Stankus of Vero Beach, Florida. His brother Tom Stankus and his wife Debra and their son of Bristol, Connecticut. His daughter Marra S. Clifton and her husband Bryan Clifton and their six children of Helotes, Texas. His son William J. Stankus and his wife Natalie Dimauro Stankus and their four children of Port St. Lucie, Florida. Stepdaughter Lisa Kenny and her husband Edward and their two children of Rocky Hill, Connecticut. Stepdaughter Sarah Berg and her husband Christopher and their three children of Bowie, Maryland. His Aunt Betty and Uncle Emil Locke of Litchfield, Connecticut and his many friends and cousins and their families.A memorial service will be held at Living Lord Lutheran Church, 2725 58th Avenue, Vero Beach, Florida on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at 2 pm. Light refreshments will be served after the service at the church.A graveside service and burial will take place on June 23, 2017 at Lake Elise Cemetery in Middlebury, Connecticut.Contributions in Mike's memory may be made to: Living Lord Lutheran Church, 2725 58th Avenue, Vero Beach, Florida 32966.