Stanley M. Townsend's Obituary
Stanley M. Townsend, age 90, of Tavares, FL graduated peacefully to heaven on Sunday, January 26, 2014 in the Lake Eustis Care Center after an illness of two months. He would have been 91 years old on February 3rd. Formally of Absecon, NJ, he resided in Tavares, FL for the past 20 years. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Dorothy and also his son, Bruce (Sherry). He is survived by one son, Ronald (Susan); granddaughters, Karen Young (William Jr.) and Jill Hughes (Thaddeus); step great-grandson, Nathaniel Hughes; also granddaughter, Ashley Townsend and step grandson, Ian Townsend; brother, John (Ellene) of Absecon, NJ and sister-in-law, Elizabeth of Linwood, NJ. His brother, Edmund (Bud) Townsend of Tavares, FL also is deceased. Stanley had 5 nieces, 2 nephews and many great-nieces and nephews. Born and raised in Absecon, NJ, he graduated from Pleasantville High School and GM Technical School in Flint, MI. He served in the Army Air Corp in WWII as a mechanic and then joined the family business. He was a partner in his father’s Cadillac/Pontiac Agency in Atlantic City, NJ for most of his life. He also owned and operated a used car business and towing operation. After an injury he worked for several years as a slot mechanic for the Golden Nugget Casino in Atlantic City, NJ. He was a lifelong member of Absecon United Methodist Church, serving on various boards and ushering. In later years he held dual membership in Community Chapel Church of God, Mt. Dora, FL and served on boards but most enjoyed singing in the choir. A member of Charles Mann Blue Lodge in Linwood, NJ, Stanley was a member and officer in all the Masonic orders and organizations over the years. He served as Potentate of Crescent Temple Shrine of NJ for 1970-1971 and as Past Potentate marched with the string band playing the saxophone and bells. He even marched in the Mummers Parade on New Year’s Day in Philadelphia, PA. He was a Jester and Tall Cedar. Stan served for the Absecon Volunteer Fire Department for many years. He loved participating in anything that benefited the Shriners Crippled Children’s Hospital, especially taking the whole family there on Christmas mornings to distribute gifts and music to the children. It was then he became known as “Stan the Music Man.” He had many instruments and enjoyed playing and singing on his golf cart with his friend Ginny. He died peacefully surrounded by family and friends singing hymns of the church and country songs, even at one point pretending to play a stand up “air bass fiddle.” “Stan the Music Man” will be missed by all who knew him, his friend Ginny, the gang at Cassia and Olivia’s Coffee House, and most of all his family. A Service of Musical Celebration will be held on April 12, 2014 at 12:00PM at the Tiki Village Clubhouse, Tavares, FL. Please send donations in his name to Community Chapel of Mt. Dora, 3601 W. Old Hwy 441, Mt. Dora, FL 32757. Many thanks to the loving and caring staff of Lake Eustis Care Center and the nurses and doctors of Florida Hospital Waterman. Arrangements have been entrusted to Steverson, Hamlin & Hilbish Funerals and Cremations, 226 E. Burleigh Blvd., Tavares, FL 32778, (352)343-4444. Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall.
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