Stanley I. Daner

Stanley Irwin Daner of Framingham, formerly of Ashland, Weston, Newton, and Hyde Park, died August 23. He was 91.

Stanley was born in Boston, Massachusetts, along with his sisters Diane and Francine. The family moved to Brookline where he attended Brookline High School. He served as an Airforce flight link instructor in the Korean War, where his cousin, best friend and life-long partner in crime, Bill Adelson, was stationed nearby with the US Army. Stanley then attended Northeastern University on the GI bill, majoring in engineering.

His parents, Louis Daner, a pharmacist in Roslindale, and Sarah “Ginger” (Carmel) Daner, a primary school teacher, played a large roll in his life. Stanley was a devoted, loving son.

In the summer of 1955, Stanley’s sister Francine, a college student, boarded a boat to explore Europe. She befriended another kindred spirit on the voyage, Judith Bernstein. Francine later introduced Judi to her younger brother, Stanley, and their adventure began. Stanley and Judi married in 1957. They lived in Brooklyn, NY while Stanley worked as an Instrumentation Engineer at Republic Aviation, a major American aircraft manufacturer that produced famous WWII aircraft.

Stanley’s entrepreneurial spirit, independent streak, and strong work ethic lead him back to Boston in 1963 to start his own electronics manufacturer’s representative company. It grew and evolved to become Daner-Hayes, which operated in to the 2000’s. Many of the relationships he established through business became life-long personal friendships.

First and foremost, Stanley was a committed friend and loving family member. He would do anything for anyone in need, and he was the smart, strong person you wanted by your side. Civic minded and politically active, Stanley and Judi assisted Russian Jewish families as they resettled to the US in the 1980’s and 90’s. They became part of his family, and some became his employees. His heart and home were open, and many became extended members of his immediate family.

He cherished summers during the 60’s and 70’s at Beach Park in Clinton, CT, and adored the community. As Captain Stanley, he navigated the shores of New England with Captive Judi and friends in ever-larger boats, getting into much trouble at sea. The giant tuna was never caught, though many smaller fish made it to the hold, and much fun was had. He later kept My Most Precious Judi docked at the Metropolitan Yacht Club in Quincy, MA where they made many deep friendships.

He was always physically active, with interests ranging from boating to fishing, tennis, racket ball, skiing, and cycling. In the early 70’s he became an enthusiastic participant in the jogging craze, along with, to the alarm of his children, its fashion.

Stanley was an admirer of the arts and worshipped his wife Judi’s immense talent and creativity. He would support her by making the wooden backings for her elaborate works of enamel on copper. Games and puzzles were always in the house, and he loved scrabble with Judi, where they each would bend the rules and hope to fool the other to gain the win. He hosted card nights with his friends and filled the house with laughter and cigar smoke. To his last days, he spent endless happy hours with the MetroWest Daily News and Boston Globe puzzle pages.

Stanley was a larger-than-life presence, a huge personality from a generation of big characters. He was the standard bearer of a quick pun, a witty repartee, king of the inappropriate joke, and was first to break the rules. Nothing pleased him more. His infectious laugh was disarming. Even after a risqué joke, he would win you over with the sparkle in his blue eyes and his mischievous grin. He was warm and kind, sensitive and caring, and his big personality always made an impression. To his last days, he kept this quality, and it made him popular as a companion at dinner and in the game room at Brookdale. To be in his presence, even when he demonstrated his stubbornness and strong sense of justice, was to feel the joy of life.

Above all, he was happiest with family and friends. His siblings, wife, children, and nieces and nephews were his reason for being. He loved them all deeply. Many friends visited and called him into his 90’s, appreciating his generous heart and kindness. They all said there was no better friend than Stanley.

Stanley was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Judith Daner. He leaves two children, Manya Andersen (and Carleton Andersen), and Kevin Daner (and Susan Lyons), as well as grandchildren Ezra, Asher, and Coby. He leaves sisters and their dear families, Diane and husband Charles (Idelson) of Framingham and Francine Daner, of Dallas, Texas.

The family is profoundly grateful to the caring and compassionate staff and community at Brookdale, who embraced Stanley’s great warmth and eccentricities, and even walked his dog, Ling, during the Covid lockdowns. He tried to make every day fun, from blackjack and bingo to the dining room. The family is also grateful to his special friend, Larkie Gildersleeve, whose companionship gave him much warmth and comfort.

A service will take place Wednesday, August 27, at Stanetsky Memorial Chapel in Canton, MA at 1:00 p.m. Shiva at the home of Diane and Charles Idelson will immediately follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute of Boston at www.dana-farber.org or Worcester Center For Crafts at www.worcestercraftcenter.org