Tribute

…a life well lived…
Devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother,
Osoyoos pioneer, publisher, public servant,
world traveler, gardener, prodigious letter writer

Stanley was born in Skaro, Alberta on August 7, 1922 and he passed peacefully in his 100^th year in Mariposa Gardens Care Facility on November 18, 2021. He was the oldest son of Mary and Anton Stodola’s 16 children. He was predeceased by his cherished wife, Rosemarie in 2009; his parents; his sisters; Annie, Adelaide, Jennie and Nancy; his brothers, Peter, Joseph, John and Mike and his daughter Sherrie Lessard. He will be missed by his two sons; Bernard (Mary), Chris (Lori); his son-in-law Art; his grandchildren, Jeffrey, Michael, Matthew, Erin, Jocelyn, Nicholas and Joel; his great grandchildren, Dominic and Damian; his sisters, Doris, Stella, Tina and Vicki; his brothers, Steve, Joe and Julian.

Stanley met and married Rosemarie, a one room school teacher, in the Zoria, Alberta school house. Soon after their marriage in 1945 they hit the road to seek their destiny and settled in Osoyoos. They were pioneers and prominent lifelong contributors to the fabric of the community, its culture, business development and affairs political.

One might say that Stan had newspapers in his blood. Together, Stan and Rosemarie founded the Osoyoos Times weekly newspaper in 1947 with little else but a high school resume boasting Editor of the Lamont High school newspaper with a circulation of one. He was publisher/editor and full time reporter/photographer in those challenging initial years and the love he had for Osoyoos (and politics) became very apparent. He pursued his passion for journalism and community service with unbridled enthusiasm. He garnered many awards for journalistic achievement, as well as best weekly newspaper for the province of B.C. Stan officially retired from the Osoyoos Times in 1986, but his momentum carried on for many more years.

Serving 10 years as a trustee of School District #53, Stan was instrumental in convincing the provincial government to build a high school in Osoyoos. As a village councilor, Regional District chair and member of the Chamber of Commerce, he was involved in countless projects. The building of the Richter Pass highway, Osoyoos Spanish theme, Osoyoos Museum and Osoyoos Golf Course were but a few of his many successes. Stanley was a lifelong supporter of St. Anne’s Catholic Church. He was a fourth degree Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus and assisted in the building of the present day Osoyoos Church and activities centre.

Life was fast, fun and busy with summer visits back and forth between Alberta and BC. With some 50+ nieces and nephews enjoying boating on Lake Osoyoos, golf, ripe Okanagan fruit and photographic slide nights, “Uncle Stan” warmly welcomed each and every one of them.

Stanley, forever the optimist, enjoyed life to its fullest. In his spare time and through his retirement years he devoted his energies to his beloved rock gardens. He never ceased to build, plant, weed and nurture any wayward orphan shrub that crossed his path. His golfing was always a game in progress and travel throughout the world a shared love with Rosemarie.  Well into his nineties, he continued to write letters attempting to cajole and prod both friend and foe, into constructive community action! Dad you were a patient and generous father. We will miss you always.

Stanley’s family would like to thank Dr. Matthys De Vries for his compassionate medical care and heartfelt gratitude to caregiver/companion Sherry Mallach and of course Val and Jean. Because of their competence Stan was able to stay in his beloved home for as long as he did. Thank you also to the many capable and caring staff members at Mariposa Gardens who gave Stan the dignity to live out his last years.

A Funeral Mass will be held for Stanley Stodola at St. Anne’s Church on Friday, November 26, 2021. Please call Chris if you would like to attend the service as Covid-19 protocols will be followed. Interment will be at Lakeview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to The Osoyoos Museum Society, Box 791, Osoyoos, BC V0H 1V0, 250 495-2582, www.info@osoyoosmuseum.ca or www.canadahelps.org (search for charity – Osoyoos Museum) would be deeply appreciated. Condolences and tributes may be left for the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com