Obituary of Stanley R. Stankes

Stanley R. Stankes, Loving Husband, Father, and Grandfather, 89, of Amsterdam, New York passed away 5/10/17 at his residence. He was born on April 6, 1928 in Amsterdam, New York and is the son of the late Julius and Elsie (Billis) Stankus. Stanley was a graduate of Amsterdam High School in 1946 and then went on to graduate from Albany College of Pharmacy in 1950. Starting in 1941 as a Soda Jerk, he then went on to work at Community Pharmacy as a Pharmacist, and purchased the store in 1958. Stanley loved a good bargain, gardening, practical jokes, Cadillac cars, Lithuanian food, and his beloved dogs Brandy, Molly, Mimi and Abby. Stanley proudly served his country in the Army from 1950-1952. He was a member of the American Legion Post 0001, Amsterdam Elks Lodge 101, AMVETS, American Lithuanian Club, NY Pharmacist Society and Kappa PSI Pharmaceutical Fraternity. Stanley is survived by his wife of 58 years , Dolores (Strozyk) Stankes; one son David (Sarah) Stankes of Austin Texas; three daughters Michele Ross of Boca Raton, Florida; Christine (Leo) Tuttle of Amsterdam, NY; Susan (Dermot) Leech of Hinsdale, IL; grandchildren Derrick (Leandra) Ross, Richard Ross, Amanda (Jason) May, Erica Tuttle, Anna, Benjamin, and Jack Stankes, and Keira Leech. Besides his parents he is predeceased by 2 brothers, Frank (Vicky) Stankevich and Albert ("Betty") Stankes, sister-in-law Ruth (Louis) Sammo, and a special friend Anthony "Tony" Degutis. Stanley is also survived by several nieces and nephews. The family received friends at St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church, 15 N. Pawling Street, Hagaman, on Monday, May 15, 2017 from 10:00AM - 11:00AM. There was a Mass of Christian Burial followed at 11:15AM with Frs. O. Robert DeMartinis and Stanley Swierzowski officiating. Interment followed at St. Casimir's Cemetery with full military honors. Memorials may be made to Montgomery County SPCA, 1007 NY-5s, Amsterdam, NY 12010 or the Amsterdam Public Library, 28 Church Street, Amsterdam NY 12010. Funeral arrangements for Stanley are under the care of Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Ave, Amsterdam. Please visit the family's online guestbook at www.brbsfuneral.com.