Alphonse (also Alphonsum Cyrillium, Fonzy) Stanich was born on July 6, 1918 to Ludvik Stanič and Karolina Žgavec in Indianapolis, USA. He was Ludvik and Karolina's fifth child.

Alphonse was baptized on July 28, 1918. At the time of his birth the family lived at 765 Holmes Avenue, Indianapolis. Alphonse grew up in this house.

Alphonse Stanich

Approximately in 1936 or 1937, Fonzy Stanich saved 10 or 11-year-old Anthony Louis Mauser from drowning in White River in front of many people.

 
Alphonse Peter Stanich enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II on February 10, 1942. Release date - June 24, 1945.

Alphonse Stanich during World War II

Alphonse Stanich married Anna Lee Brooks (13 years his junior) born in Harlan County, Kentucky to her mother Suda Watkins - a daughter of a coal miner.

Anna Lee Brooks

Alphonse and Anna had two children:

1. Mary Elizabeth Stanich *Mauser* (November 17, 1951)
2. William (Bill) Robert Stanich (January 9, 1954)

Interesting facts: Alphonse (Fonzy) Stanič, who saved Tony Mauser from drowning, is the father of Mary Elizabeth Stanich. Mary Stanich married Joe Louis Mauser on July 6, 1974 (her father’s birthday). Joe’s father, Alphonse (Fonzy) Mauser, is Tony Mauser’s cousin. Fonzy Mauser and Fonzy Stanič were the only Fonzies in Haughville.

Alphonse Peter Stanich died on September 21, 1992 at the age of 74. Last Residence: 1310 N Concord St, Indianapolis, IN 46222-3034. Phone number: 632-8106.

Anna L. Stanich died on December 15, 2009 at the age of 78.

Daughter Mary Elizabeth’s memories:

“I only have my memories of Mom and Dad. Dad worked at Ted’s Auto Electric. My Dad told me that he saw my Mom walking past Ted’s, which was located on East Washington Street. He made a comment to his fellow employees that one day he was going to marry that girl! And he did. Dad was 13 years older than my Mom. Mom was only 17 when she married my Dad. They were married by the Justice of the Peace. One year later they were married at Holy Trinity in Haughville. Dad eventually got a job at Allison’s on West Tenth Street. At that time Allison’s had layoffs. When this happened, Dad worked as a bartender at Blackie’s tavern, also located on East Washington Street. My Dad went by the name of Pete; but, he was called Fonzy in Haughville.

My Mom, Anna Lee, grew up in Kentucky and Tennessee. Eventually she moved to Indianapolis. She had four brothers and sisters. Mom worked at various factories in Indianapolis. My Grandma Sudie Brooks eventually came to Indianapolis and lived with us for many years.

We lived in various houses on the east side of Indianapolis. My brother and I did not grow up in Haughville, as many Slovenians did, but my Uncle Stanley would drive over and pick up our family and take us to Grandpa’s (Ludvik) house on Holmes Avenue in Haughville. I remember these special times visiting Grandpa Stanich, aunts, uncles and cousins. I remember family gatherings when they sang songs and retell adventures from the past. Those were the good times! I still remember the laughter. I enjoyed going to Holy Trinity summer festivals. They were great times. I remember the bakery next door to Grandpa’s - Armanoff’s Bakery.  I loved the Long John donuts and the hard crust bread. One time my cousins and I picked cherries from Grandpa’s trees. He was going to make wine.

I never knew my Grandma Karolina Stanich. She died before I was born. My aunts would tell me I had Grandma’s eyes. All the aunts and uncles always talked about their Mama Karolina. Grandpa was a disciplinarian, but Grandma always handed out the love afterwards.”

Click here to see images of Alphonse Stanich and Anna Lee Brooks.