Stanley “Stan” M. Koty, Jr. passed away suddenly on September 12, 2019, he was 64. Born in Cambridge he was the cherished son of the late Barbara (Magrath) and Stanley M. Koty, Sr.

Beloved husband of 43 years to Gay (Russell) Koty. Devoted father Stanley “Chip” M. Koty, III of Peabody, Russell Koty and his wife Michelle of Billerica, Alison Fernandes and her husband Mark of Canton and Caroline Koty of Somerville. Cherished grandfather of Gianna Miranda, James Fernandes and one on the way. Dear brother of Diane Glenn and her husband Brad of North Reading and uncle of Kassondra and Jason Glenn.

Stan’s passion for politics began at an early age. Growing up on Partridge Ave in the political hotbed of Magoun Square in Ward 5, Stan was influenced by his admiration for his parents who both believed in civic responsibility and participation.  As a young man, Stan was a Boy Scout and a member of the prestigious Order of the Arrow, the National Honor Society of scouting.

After arriving at Somerville High School in the fall of 1968, Stan honed his skills as a fledgling politician by becoming the first student-elected Student Representative to the Somerville School Committee, regularly attending all public meetings and giving his report to the Committee on diverse issues facing the student body. His talents for organization and negotiation were obvious even at this early stage of his career.  As Junior Class President, Stan succeeded in arranging for the J. Geils band to perform at Somerville High’s junior class dance.

While still in high school, Stan became a legislative page at the State House, after a political bumper sticker on the fender of his bicycle caught the eye of his neighbor, State Representative Vincent Piro. Throughout high school and his college years, Stan remained at the State House as a page in the General Court and ultimately as a legislative aide to Representative Piro.  These formative years instilled in Stan a lifelong appreciation for the complexity of legislative process and the necessity of delivering stellar constituent services.  Stan and Vinny would remain great friends for their entire lives.

In 1979, Stan ran for Somerville School Committee at the young age of 25, winning the Ward 5 seat. He continued to serve on the School Committee for the next eighteen (18) years until 1995, when he was elected to the Somerville Board of Alderman as the Ward 5 Alderman.  In 2000, Stan retired from the Board of Aldermen, choosing instead to serve the Board as its Clerk of Committees.  During this time, he also rose to prominence as Chief of Staff for State Senator Charlie Shannon, where Stan’s unmatched understanding of municipal and state politics would cement his place as one of the most effective political strategists in Somerville’s history.

In 1999, Stan would play an integral role in the election of Somerville’s first female mayor, Dorothy Kelly Gay. In 2003, Stan was the driving force behind Mayor Joseph C. Curtatone’s hard-fought campaign and victorious election as the second-youngest mayor in the history of Somerville.

Stan served the City of Somerville faithfully for over 45 years. He was the only person to ever serve the City in five different positions:  Student Representative to the School Committee, Ward 5 School Committee, Ward 5 Alderman, Clerk of Committees to the Board of Alderman, and Department of Public Works Commissioner.  Stan was the longest serving DPW Commissioner in the history of the city.

Beyond his service to the City in his official capacities, Stan was an ardent supporter of the people and youth of Somerville. He was past president of the Somerville Rotary Club, and Somerville Youth Hockey.  In the early 1990’s, Stan founded the Somerville Highlanders Club to raise funding for student athletes.  He successfully recruited local business partners to help sponsor and support a range of youth organizations within the City to promote the scholastic and athletic achievement of Somerville’s children.

Funeral Procession from the George L. Doherty Funeral Home, 855 Broadway (Powder House Sq.) Somerville on Tuesday at 9AM followed by a Funeral Mass celebrated in St. Clement Church at 10AM. Relatives and friends invited to attend. Calling Hours Monday 3PM-8PM. Interment Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge.

In lieu of flowers donations in Stan’s memory can be made to the Somerville High School Scholarship Foundation at www.shsscholarship.org.