Stan's Obituary
Stan's Obituary (Orange County Register 6/8/14)
In Loving Memory
Stanley Dwight Smith aka “Stan the Man” and "The Mayor of Balboa" 1942-2014
Whether walking down the boardwalk in Balboa or visiting a pub in Amsterdam, there was hardly a place Stan could go without running into someone he knew. "Stan the Man" was a beloved husband, father, brother, grandpa, uncle, friend, boss, coworker, neighbor and the unofficial "Mayor of Balboa." With his loyal wife Barbara (Hess) Smith at the helm, Stan fought a valiant fight with esophageal cancer for 15 months. Stan was born on January 17,1942 and left this life on May 15, 2014 alongside his younger brother, Kenny Paul Smith, who also lost his battle with cancer only five minutes earlier the same day in Denver, Colorado, enabling them to enter the pearly gates hand in hand. Surely the brothers were greeted with the biggest party in the history of heaven by their loving parents, Ken and Peggy Smith, wonderful sister-in-law, Fay Smith, Stan’s adoring mother-in-law, Alice Mae Hess, and all their loved ones who passed before them. Stan was the most sincere man ever to walk the earth. He was a friend for life. One cannot think of Stan without smiling about fond memories of being with him. His warm, squinty smile melted many hearts, and he always had the ladies wrapped around his "little" finger:) Stan made every person he came in contact with feel like they were the most special person in the world. He enjoyed life to the fullest with his loving wife, Barbara, together for over 37 years. Stan and Barb made many friends living in Balboa & working for over two decades at the Tale of the Whale in the Balboa Pavilion and on the Pavilion Queen. He is adored by his three daughters (aka "Stanley's Angels") DeNaya Green (Jim), Cherine Keiser (Dave), Rebecca Booth (Nate) and his granddaughters Emma Keiser and Tess Keiser. Stan loved golfing with his buddies, Jack, Fred and Bob, every Weds at the Costa Mesa golf course. Born in Pasadena and raised in Arcadia, Stan enjoyed going to the Santa Anita Race Track with his brother Larry, where their father had worked since the track opened in 1939. As young boys, Stan & Larry would sell newspapers at the track, watching all the movie stars arriving in their fancy cars. Like his parents and entire family, Stan and Barb loved the Hawaiian Islands and visited as often as they could. They enjoyed spending time with family & friends that live there, savoring the beautiful scenery and the “Aloha Spirit." They will be forever grateful to Larry & Fay for so generously sharing their condo in Kona. Stan liked the simple life, living in Newport Beach since the 1960's, strolling the boardwalk in shorts and his Rainbow flip-flops. He loved playing with their dog Taffy and cat Bootsie. Stan and Barb created many special memories in their adventures over the years, and had fun attending his many reunions from San Gabriel High School (Class of ’59). Stan will be missed by the entire Smith clan including his older brother Larry Smith, his only sister Leanda Huff (Phil), and his many nieces and nephews. His family is eternally grateful for the loving and expert care he received during his treatment at UCI’s Chao Cancer Center and the Intensive Care Unit. He donated his body to the UCI School of Medicine Willed Body Program. A private gathering for family and friends will be planned at a later date.
Published in the Orange County Register from June 8 to June 9, 2014
