Ronald Stanley

This is what we received from the family, plus the added line about online condolences. Ronald Stanley, 85, passed away on Saturday, October 20, 2012, in the loving arms of his wife, Joan Pieffer-Stanley, at their home in Westfield. Ronald Stanley was born January 26, 1927 in India while his father, Ronald Stanley, Sr., was stationed there serving as an officer in the British Army. Ronald?s father died on active duty when Ronald was only 7 years old. After that his mother, Thelma Marshall Stanley, moved her family back to England, at which time Ronald was sent to a boarding school. Ronald completed his education and at the age of 17 went into the Royal British Navy. He gallantly served his country aboard the HMS Alacrity during World War II from 1945 to 1947. After the war he worked as a police officer, detective for the Scotland Yard and later was the Queen?s Messenger. He also performed diplomatic service in Iran, Iraq, Yugoslavia and Russia. He retired from the service in 1987 and married Joan Pieffer-Stanley in 2000. He was a loving father and survived by his three sons, Matthew, Andrew (England) and Peter (Canada), and his daughter, Deborah (England); his six grandchildren; his two stepsons, David West and James West (Westfield); his three stepdaughters, Joann West, Donna West-Pieffer and Cindy West (Westfield); 11 additional grandchildren, Matthew Matalucci, Morgan Matalucci, Brandon West (Westfield), Dylan West, Mark West, Madeline West, Shane West (Los Angeles, Calif.), Luke Pieffer and Elizabeth Both (New Hope, Pa.), Frances Schaefer (Montclair University) and Shannon Schaefer (Westfield). He is best known as everyone?s Pop-Pop and survived by countless numbers of children and families he had the honor of giving his love and time to for the last 20 years of his life. He was a proud member of the Lions Club of Westfield and served as an usher for Saint Paul?s Episcopal Church of Westfield. One could usually catch Pop-Pop playing his guitar and singing. He also was an accomplished pianist. He will be greatly missed by all. All family, friends, parents and children are welcome to attend the service at St. Paul?s Episcopal Church. The service time is pending due to the effects of the storm in Westfield. The Gray Funeral Home will handle the funeral arrangements. For online condolences, visit grayfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Saint Paul?s Episcopal Church in Westfield.