Stanley Philip Bateman was born July 10, 1930 in London, England.
Stan's family moved to Wales when he was very young.
He served in the Royal Navy where he became an engineer until he retired. Upon his retirement he was on his way to New Zealand to start his new life. He stopped to visit his sister who was living in Canada. He loved the area so much he decided to stay and make a life there instead. Stan became an engineer for the Canadian Ferry Boat System and retire from there too.
In June, 2010 he met the woman he would later say was his soul mate and the person he had been waiting for his whole life. He said he had never known true love until he met Nancy. He also said he never knew the love of a true family until he became part of her family. He loved their twin grandsons, Neeko and David, and bragged about them often. Stan died at their Canadian home while sleeping on August 21, 2014.
The first time I saw stan in a meeting I remembered him as wearing a cape. He swore he did not own a cape . I guess it was because he would become a super hero to me and my children. I was dying from alcoholism and he knew irt. He would not let me go and saved my life.
He would break into my house to stop me. Put the plug in the jug he would say, over and over again. He was tough on me but he kept me with him and his crew of friends until the miracle happened for me. He was the biggest man I have met in my life. We love and miss you so Stan.
After a birthday meeting at NCAC in the late 90's a curly haired guy I had never known came up to me. He stuck his nose about 8 inches up and under my eyes. Under it and out through a wide smile I heard the words; "There is something in your eyes that I like!" Not "Hello I'm Stan", "or excuse me- could I have a minute of your time?" He barged right into my life like he did many others. I'm thankful to God that he never left.
I met Stan about 20 years ago at my first meeting....
After the meeting I was overwhelmed and Stan came up and said you should have a temporary sponsor and that was the beginning of my journey with Stan... Many Many fond memories. .....Stan took me under his wing and was like a father to me....he never sugar coated what he was thinking with me and that was refreshing and I for sure needed that !
Stan lived right across the street from me in Oceanside
on the other side of the Alano Club...
We could see each others house if he flipped the light on and off !!! LOL
I have many quotes in my big book that Stan had jotted down through the years.
I had the opportunity to drive up to Canada with my daugther Heather and visit Stan ....What an awesome trip that was.
What a man...I never have witnessed anyone that would go out of his way to help someone out as much as Stan....
During a meeting, if Stan was the leader, I would watch him and he had a knack for knowing just the right person to call on to share...He had a gift to read people and know who needed help right then.....
Thanks for everything !
Rest in Piece my friend....
Love
Jay
