Veteran and program analyst for U.S. Air Force
Published in the March 4, 2016 edition
MELROSE — John A. “Jack” Stanley, of Melrose, died on Feb. 29, 2016 at the age of 93.
Jack was born in Malden on March 23, 1922 to James and Ellen (Murray) Stanley. He was raised in Malden and graduated from Medford Vocational School. Jack spent a few years as a sheet metal worker at the Charlestown Navy Yard before joining the U.S. Marines. He served honorably during World War II in the United States Marine Corps from 1944 to 1946.
Not long after the war, Jack married the love of his life, Rita A. (Maher) Stanley, in 1951 at Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Wakefield. They settled down in Melrose to raise their family and remained in Melrose for 60 years. Also after the war, Jack spent seven years attending night school at Northeastern University to earn his bachelor’s degree, an accomplishment of which he was very proud. He subsequently worked as a program analyst for the U.S Air Force at Hanscom Air Force Base, where he worked until he retired.
Jack was a familiar face at the Mount Hood Golf Course where he spent much time golfing. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus as well as the Holy Name Society at St. Mary’s Church, where he taught CCD. Most importantly, Jack loved his family very much. His seven kids kept him very busy. He was easy going and a had a dry sense of humor. Jack was also very handy. He painted the outside of his house at least three times by himself and also built the backyard at their family home. Spending time with his family is what mattered most to Jack. He will be missed greatly.
Jack was the beloved husband of Rita A. (Maher) Stanley. He was the loving father of Patricia Elsea and her husband James of North Billerica; Brian Stanley and his wife Yong of Las Vegas; Elaine Stanley of Melrose; Diane Emery and her husband Chip of Melrose; Laura Paquette and her husband Scott of Wilmington; Jane McGrath and her husband Chris of San Diego, Calif.; and Andrew Stanley and his husband Richard Whale of London, England. He was the cherished grandfather of seven grandchildren. He was also the brother of the late Walter Stanley and the late William Stanley.
Visitation will be held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 West Foster St., Melrose on Friday, March 4 from 4-7 p.m. His funeral will be held from the Gately Funeral Home on Saturday, March 5 at 8 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary’s Church, Herbert Street, Melrose at 9 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Interment will take place at Puritan Lawn Cemetery in Peabody. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jack’s name to the General Fund at the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home, 91 Crest Ave., Chelsea MA 02150 or call 617-887-7115. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit gatelyfh.com.
