Stanley G. Macaitis

Stanley Gene Macaitis
June 26, 1936 – December 19, 2022

Stan was born in Omaha, Nebraska, to Mary and Stanley Macaitis. He attended Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School and was a 1954 graduate of Creighton Prep. He was awarded a football scholarship to Iowa State University. In addition to Iowa State, he attended Creighton University and Omaha University (UNO) where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education in 1963. While at Omaha U, Stan played football and baseball.

On Dec. 29, 1962, Stan married Margaret Hopkins, and they shared 53 years together. They were members of St. Bernard’s parish for 30 years, where they raised five children: Susan (Clark) Rosenlof, Steve (Jodi) Macaitis, Mary (John) Simon, Mike (Elizabeth) Macaitis, and Anne (Ryan) Sloan.

Stan dedicated his life to Catholic education. In 1962, he returned to Creighton Prep as a math teacher and coach. In 1968, he became the founding athletic director at Gross Catholic High School, where he also coached football, baseball and wrestling, and taught algebra, geometry and physical education. He retired in 1998.

Stan had a lifelong love for his family, faith, sports and South Omaha. In his retirement years, he enjoyed golfing, biking, watching football, babysitting grandchildren, daily coffee at Hy-Vee and crossword puzzles. For 10 years, he was a devoted primary caregiver to Marge, who died of Alzheimer’s disease in 2015.

Stan is preceded in death by his parents and his wife. He is survived by his children; grandchildren: Anna, Matt and Maggie Rosenlof; Nicole (Darrell) Silver, A.J. (Jillyn) and Andrew Macaitis; Nick (Haley Loida), Michael, Maddie and Molly Simon; and Tom Macaitis; great grandchildren: Brooks and Adeline Silver; sister Mary Ann (Bernie) Buscher; sister-in-law Mary (Gene) Ciani and brother-in-law Tom (Jan) Hopkins; many nieces, nephews and lifelong friends.

VISITATION: Tuesday, January 3, 2023, 5pm, with a VIGIL at 6:30pm, at Mary Our Queen Catholic Church.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Wednesday, January 4, 2023, 11am, at Mary Our Queen Church. Interment Calvary Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Gross High School.

8 Comments

  • Rudloff Geri Posted December 23, 2022 12:21 pm

    Prayers and sympathy to the Macaitis clan. He and your mom are celebrating the holidays together. Both will be watching over all of you.🙏🙏

  • Debi Acuna Posted December 23, 2022 1:59 pm

    My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time.

  • Santo Buda Posted December 23, 2022 11:18 pm

    RIP Coach, we first met on Prep’s freshman football field in 1963. You were one of my freshman coaches. Learn there you were an outstanding coach and leader. You raised a great family and always had a way with humor in tense times. I’m better knowing, learning from you. Say hello to Carl and Lucille Buda

  • Steve Abraham Posted December 24, 2022 8:56 am

    Steve and Jodi, I can’t make it but my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.. Your father was a great man. Thinking of you, The Abrahams’s.

  • Robert Murray Posted December 26, 2022 11:18 am

    Very sorry to hear about Stan. He was a great coach and wonderful person. Bob Murray Retired Coach North High

  • Mike Pirtle Posted January 2, 2023 9:27 am

    Dear Macaitis family, especially brother-in-law, “Bern Dog.” My deepest and most sincere condolences at the passing of Coach Macaitis, my JV baseball coach at Creighton Prep in 1968, right before he left for Gross HS. We stayed in touch over the years and he proudly followed my career as a practicing trial lawyer and my eventual appointment as a judge on the Nebraska Court of Appeals. He was one of the many great teachers and coaches I was fortunate to have in my life as a Prep student-athlete. Rest in peace, Coach! Mike Pirtle, Prep ’71.

  • Kathy Roy Posted January 2, 2023 9:43 am

    So sorry for the loss of your dear Brother. May he rest in peace.

  • Tim Anderson Posted January 3, 2023 10:31 am

    Coach,
    I have many fond and fun memories of you from baseball, wrestling, and geometry class. God bless you and your family.

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