Stanton Dennis McDonald

Stanton Dennis McDonald of Phoenix, AZ, passed away Saturday, April 3, 2021. Dennis, as everyone knew him, was born on August 12, 1939 to Paul and Charlotte McDonald in Bell, CA, although home was Pomona, CA.

Dennis lived throughout California during his early years, including Burlingame, El Centro, and Shafter before settling in Pomona. In the late ‘50’s, after his high school graduation, Dennis started working at Pomona Tile, to follow in his Uncle Kingsley’s footsteps and work in the tile industry. It was there that he met the love of his life who would become his wife - Nancy Rumfelt. They had two daughters, Sandra and Susan. Dennis was active in the PTA, and all school functions alongside his wife, including serving as band parents and traveling with the Pomona High School Band. He loved photography, collecting old cameras and belonged to a camera club. After Pomona Tile, he would go on to work for DalTile and then Arizona Tile in commercial tile sales.

Dennis moved to Arizona in 1996, after his wife Nancy passed away, to be closer to his daughters and grandchildren. Although a widower, he loved traveling, even solo, and went to the Galápagos Islands, as well as fulfilling his dream to go to London and Ireland. Dennis was a big sports fan - especially of golf and baseball. He never missed watching a golf match and was a season ticket holder for the Arizona Diamondbacks. And music - you should see his CD collection! He loved all sorts of music, but especially loved Bob Dylan, Pink Martini, and the Chieftains, and saw all of them in concert. And of course, a huge Disney fan, along with the entire family. We have so many wonderful memories of family trips with him to Disneyland.

Dennis’ life revolved around his family. He was a beloved father to Sande Smallwood and Susan Tortora, brother to Ron McDonald, grandfather to Brett Pearce, Jessica Delnolce, Ashley Gayler, Trevor Ellett and Leopoldo Tortora. Most recently his greatest joy was becoming a great-grandfather for the first time to Brooks Delnoce. He is preceded in death by his wife Nancy, who we know was there to greet him after so many years apart.

Dennis was kind, generous, entertaining, and funny as hell. He touched so many lives and will be immensely missed.

A service will held down the road when it’s safer for groups to travel and gather and we can honor his life well-lived together.