Categorized | Editorial

EDITORIAL: Remembering the Stanley “Spike” Jaremczak, The Garden Guru

Stanley “Spike” Jaremczak (a.k.a. The Garden Guru) (L)with his Companion, Carol Sabo (C) and friend, Scott Sable (R). All three have won multiple ribbons in the Middlesex County Fair for gardening. *File Photo by C. Maxwell

Stanley Jaremczak passed away this past Saturday, April 29, 2017.

We first learned about Stanely (a.k.a. The Garden Guru) when his friend, Joe B., suggested we contact him to speak at the Kearny Cottage about his gardening skills.

Stanley has celebrated 25 years winning blue ribbons at the Middlesex County Fair. In fact, in 2015 (as noted in the August 19, 2015 issue of the Amboy Guardian) the Garden Guru celebrated his 25th Anniversary in the Middlesex County Fair. He won 12 ribbon’s that year. Eight First place blue ribbons. In that time frame he had over 100 First Place Blue Ribbons and close to 200 total Ribbons. The Garden Guru won First Place for the biggest cucumber for 17 straight years, biggest green pepper, biggest carrot, purple basil vinegar and hot cherry pepper’s to name a few.

Stanley agreed to do a presentation at the Kearny Cottage.  He was so popular that we immediately knew that we would be inviting him back.

He made another appearance, this time to demonstrate his pickling skills.

The Garden Guru gives a lecture on pickling at the Kearny Cottage. He was a popular speaker at the Cottage.
*File Photo by K. Massopust

During his presentations at the Kearny Cottage, he would hand each attendee a ticket for a chance to win a door prize that he donated.

Stanley enjoyed coming to the Cottage so much that he had plans to invite us to see his garden in his backyard and also join him for a barbecue.

Unfortunately, we never had a chance to do so.

Stanley was also friends with  Local Poet Dioris Arlequin who immortalized Stanley in a poem “The Garden Guru.” (See to the right)

Stanley served the community as a Perth Amboy Police Officer for 25 years before he retired.

He would beam when speaking about his Companion, Carol Sabo and boasted about the many ribbons that she won for her gardening skills as well. She was always by his side.  The last time the Garden Guru  made an appearance at the Cottage, besides Carol, he also  brought along his friend, Paul Sable, who Stanley mentioned was also a gifted gardener.

Our Condolences to all of those who were touched by Stanley and we thank Joe B. for introducing us to this Gardener Extraordinaire.

C.M. & K.M. 

Stanley Jaremczak with a copy of his book, “Garden Guru” at Barnes & Noble in Edison at the Friends of the Library Book Fair
*File Photo by T. Gianfransesco

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