OBITUARY: Stanley T. Kotowski, 82

Below is an obituary from Nichols Funeral Home:

WILMINGTON, MA — Stanley T. Kotowski, “Stan,” Retired Deputy Chief of the Cambridge Fire Department and a long-time resident of Wilmington, passed away peacefully on March 6, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was 82 years old.

Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on July 5, 1943, Stan was the beloved son of the late Stanley and Florence (Clinton) Kotowski. Raised and educated in Cambridge, he formed many lifelong friendships and graduated from St. Mary’s High School. Following high school, he proudly enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. Stan started his career at Polaroid before following in his dad’s footsteps to become a firefighter.

Stan began his distinguished career with the Cambridge Fire Department on August 21, 1966. A proud firefighter, hard worker, and natural-born leader, he rose through the ranks over the course of his career, always looking out for his fellow firefighters and remaining deeply devoted to the community he served. After 40 years of dedicated service, Stan retired in January of 2006 as Deputy Chief.

Stan married and settled in Wilmington, where he raised his family. He was a devoted father who was always there to encourage his children to do their best, and he was immensely proud of them. He adored his grandchildren and cherished the time they spent together—whether at his home in Wilmington or at the family cottage on White Horse Beach in Plymouth, where countless memories were made by the ocean and on his favorite porch.

Family was the center of Stan’s life, and he never ended a visit or a phone call without saying, “Love you and be good.”

Stan loved to travel. Friendly and sociable, he relished seeing new places and meeting new people. His travels with family and good friends took him around the world, including throughout much of Europe, on countless cruises, many trips to Aruba, and to Ireland, where he proudly obtained dual citizenship.

An avid golfer, Stan always looked forward to playing new courses wherever his travels took him.

Stan will be fondly remembered for his warm and endearing personality. People were naturally drawn to him for his dry sense of humor and quick wit. One of his greatest qualities was his willingness to help others—he generously gave his time and talents, always putting others before himself and never expecting anything in return. He simply loved helping people.

He will also be remembered for his love of animals, his hearty laugh, great smile, larger-than-life personality, heart of gold, and—most famously—that great head of hair. Stan was truly one of a kind and will forever be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Stan was the devoted father of the late Stanley Kotowski Jr. and his wife Jackie Kotowski of Methuen, Rick Kotowski of Wilmington, Kimberly Tanguay of Wilmington, and the late Jeannine Kotowski. He was the beloved boyfriend of Maureen Ford of Belmont, the loving “Papa” of Ryan, Zak, Nicholas, and Matthew.

He was the dear brother of the late Virginia Pectol and her late husband Clarence; the late Robert Kotowski and his wife Christine of Medford; the late Steven Kotowski and his late wife Susan; Thomas Kotowski and his wife Edna of Stoneham; Maryann Kotowski and her husband Brian Ganley of Thetford, Vermont; and John Kotowski and his wife Catherine of Saugus.

Stan was also predeceased by his former wife, Mary Etta Kotowski. He is survived by his faithful pup, Piper, as well as many special nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Family and friends will gather for Visiting Hours at Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Route 62), Wilmington, MA, on Tuesday, March 10, from 4:00–7:00 p.m. A Service to Celebrate Stan’s Life will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, March 11, at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Wildwood Cemetery in Wilmington.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Stanley’s memory may be made to MSPCA at Nevins Farm, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844.

To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit our website at www.nicholsfuneralhome.com.