Shane Stokowski was someone that not everybody liked, he was one of those rare individuals that everyone loved. He had a positive energy that I’ve never remotely seen in another person and I’ve met a lot of people in my travels.
Shane’s life was tragically cut short at age 33 in 2014. Shane was trying to stop a drunk driver and it ended in his horrific and senseless death. I don’t want to write about that today, you can read all of the sad details in an article written by Phil Luciano, that not only reported about Shane’s death, it also celebrates his vibrant and colorful life. Click here to read that article: Luciano: Former Peorian’s helping nature cut short his vibrant life.
Shane’s family (parents, Chris and Jeff/Moon and siblings, Sheila and Patrick) and friends have dedicated a memorial bench on Grandview Drive to Shane. I thought I’d go and share some photos and memories of this special and unique person who I had the pleasure of watching grow from an inquisitive and sweet child to an amazing adult who’s life had such a positive force in this world.
Here’s the entrance to Grandview Drive, it’s the world’s most beautiful drive!
Shane’s memorial bench is located in the first cut-de-sac and you can park right here.
There’s the bench over there.
Here it is and it’s a beautiful bench in a fabulous area of Grandview Drive.
I took a close-up photo of the photo of Shane doing what he loved to do: Dance!
He was known for dancing at wedding receptions and parties and often clearing the floor so everyone could watch him.
The words on the plaque are perfect:
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“Dance then, wherever
You may be”
In Loving Memory of
Shane Stokowski
“LORD OF THE DANCE”
We Love and Miss You
Every Day
Your Family and Friends
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I sat down, soaked in the exquisite view and memories of Shane, Chris and Moon played like a movie in my mind.
I’ve been friends with Chris and Moon forever and I knew Shane from the time he was a baby and I got to watch him grow up.
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My brother Jim and I lived at the Willow Lake Apartments in the early ’80’s and in the summer we’d hang out, swim and drink beer on the lake. One day it was myself, Jim, Chris, Moon and Shane hanging out at the lake.
I don’t remember why, but at one point, with Shane nearby, I said loudly, “Oh bullshit.”
Shane looked at me wide-eyed and said, “bullshit.” I think he was probably around four or five-years-old and it sounded like, “boohshit.”
We all cracked up, Shane liked the fact he made us all laugh and once again said, “boohshit.”
Chris then told Shane it was a word he shouldn’t be saying and I told him it was a very good word and he should say it all the time.
Chris just shook her head and sighed. Back then I tended to get this reaction from a lot of people! I was always happy that I was the one responsible for Shane’s first curse word!
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As Shane got older he showed a real interest in art and drawing pictures. Myself and my brother Jim always loved to draw and we encouraged Shane, along with Chris and Moon to keep drawing and practicing.
He became a great artist at a young age and I featured him in my magazine, People Of Peoria in the early ‘90’s.
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Later, in 1993, I moved to New York City and came back to Peoria for Christmas that year. I stopped at Chris and Moon’s house for a holiday visit and Shane kept bringing me picture after picture that he had drawn that year, he was really proud of his artwork. He had really developed as an artist and I told him so and he had a huge smile on his face.
I remember feeling happy that I had been an influence on Shane and his artwork and I was proud that he had been practicing and developing as an artist. My brother Jim felt the same way and we talked about Shane and his art now and again.
My brother Jim died on March 11, 2006 and I came back to Peoria to be with my family for his visitation and funeral.
Joe Waugh and his family helped me rent a hall and they prepared food for Jim’s friends and our family and we had a few drinks and shared memories at the end of the week after the funeral.
That’s the last time I ever saw Shane. My brother Jim had an art studio and Shane used to go and hang out with him and Jim always loved when he stopped by.
I was in shock and devastated that week and don’t remember a lot of what I said to people and I don’t remember much of the conversation I had with Shane. I do remember telling him that Jim always loved it when he stopped by his art studio.
I don’t remember what Shane said to me, but I can guarantee it was something that made me smile, even in a dark time like that. Shane had that gift, he made people smile.
You don’t need to have known Shane to stop by and have a seat in his memorial bench. Relax, think of a nice memory, enjoy the pretty view and smile, that’s what Shane would’ve wanted you to do.
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Related Post: Dan Fogelberg & Gary Richrath: Benched!