Richard H. Stanley

Richard "Dick" Stanley, 73, of Springvale, died December 30 at the Maine Medical Center in Portland after a long illness.He was born in Sanford on October 8, 1935, a son of Harlan G. and Mabel (Sawyer) Stanley. He attended the Emery Mill School and was a 1953 graduate of Sanford High School.Dick was employed for over 30 years with Cyro Industries in Sanford, retiring from his supervisor's position several years ago.Dick was a cowboy at heart. For many years, he would vacation out west where he would work on ranches and cattle drives. The memorabilia from these trips fill his dining room at home. In 1989, he took part in the re-enactment of the Great Montana Cattle Drive. The cattle drive, which was to commemorate its 100th anniversary was covered extensively by Life Magazine and by National Geographic. He met some interesting characters during these vacations, and invited some of them to visit here in Maine.His other great love was Owl's Nest, his camp on Abbott Mountain in Shapleigh. He spent countless hours there with family and friends and his neighbors Black Cloud and Bud. He was also a motorcycle enthusiast and enjoyed cutting wood.Although not outwardly demonstrative of his affection, his family stressed that there was no question that he loved them. He was always excited to have a new toy for them and was a stickler about their safe usage. He made sure that guns were always properly handled, that appropriate attire was worn for motorcycle rides or for being out in the woods. They also remembered what a great teacher he was especially with manners and showing respect for others.Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Marguerite (Frazier) Stanley of Springvale; his daughter Cheryl Vachon and her husband Bob of Springvale and their children Dori Cote and her husband Mike, Michelle Gauthier and her husband Norman, Norman Roy, his wife Audree and their children Abby and Andy, Rob Vachon and his fiancee Lindsay Boucher; his son Richard L. Stanley, his wife Susan Cyr and their children Michael and Sarah of Springvale; his daughter, Cathy J. White, her husband John and their son Matt of Wakefield, NH; 2 brothers, Roger "John" Stanley and his wife Beatrice of Shapleigh, Danny Stanley and his wife Linda of Shapleigh, and several nieces and nephews.An hour of visitation will be held on Friday at 2:00 PM at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale where a memorial service will be held on Friday at 3:00 PM. A reception will follow at the Sanford Elks Lodge, Elm Street in Sanford. Burial will be in the spring at Riverside Cemetery in Springvale.Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Sanford High School Marching Band Inauguation March Fund, c/o Matt Doiron, 52 SHS Boulevard, Sanford, ME 04073. Condolences may be expressed at the Condolences tab at left.