Robert Frances Stanton

Robert Frances Stanton (Bob), 87, was born to William Edward and Ann (née Foran) Stanton on January 9, 1934 in Paterson, New Jersey.   Surrounded by family and friends, Bob passed away and went home to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on March 15, 2021 in Mesquite, NV.

Bob believed in hard work and doing what was right, and just.  He believed family was important, highly valued and should take care of one another, because of this, his actions throughout his life were reflections of these internal beliefs.  In 1950, at age 16, he started training as a machinist for the Bendix Corporation in Paterson NJ.  He worked there through the age of 18, learning to build aircraft parts and automotive assemblies before trying his hands in a different trade.  In 1952 he turned towards carpentry and roofing, where he excelled.  In two short years he formed the partnership of “Stanton and Henches, Roofing & Siding Company”.   His love of carpentry work remained with him long into his retirement years.

While working at Paterson, he met and married his first wife, Maureen Canning (Reston, VA) in 1959. They moved to Oakland, NJ where Bob opened his first full service Texaco station and started their family, having four children in all; Bob, Marybeth, Marty and Peter.  They moved to Toms River, NJ in 1973, where he opened his second Texaco station. While serving on the volunteer fire department in Toms River, Bob also volunteered and was a member of the dive and rescue team. In 1979 Bob and Maureen divorced, opening up the next chapter of Bob’s life, out of New Jersey.

In 1980 Bob accepted an invitation to the State of Washington, from his childhood and lifelong best friend from Paterson, Pete Optekar, and moved to Yakima, Washington.  He worked with Pete for two years in large scale agriculture, but his love of carpentry work kept him searching.  Eventually it led him to a carpentry job at the Yakima Valley State School in Selah WA.  It was at this school  he met and later married Janice Elaine Newton.  Bob and Jan married on April 8, 1987 in Reno, NV.  They lived in Naches, WA for 29 years until they decided to split their time between Roy, WA and Mesquite, NV.

Bob was often very quiet, but made himself heard when the time was right. He had a wonderful sense of humor which gave the family strength right up to the end. He loved fishing, hunting, playing cards and traveling. But his fondest memories came when he had all of his family together.

Bob is survived by his children; Bob Stanton (Karen) from Virginia, Marybeth DeSousa from New Jersey, Marty Stanton (Diana) from Washington, Peter Stanton (Susan) from Florida, and step daughter Alicia Deery (Paul) from Washington, 15 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Bob is preceded in death by Jan’s son Brennan.

In lieu of services, the family invites you to leave a message or memory in their Guest Book at www.virginvalleymortuary.com.