Stanley Ross

Our hearts are heavy to share with friends and family that our dad, Stanley Ross, passed away peacefully at home at age 90 on December 9, 2020. Stanley had a marvelous life and, with our mother, was able to achieve the unachievable.

Stanley was born in the Bronx, New York on September 18, 1930. He had a difficult life as a youth. We recently uncovered a letter that he wrote in 1951. He asked the Draft Board for pardon from the Armed Forces because he needed to care for his 16-year old sister Phyllis after both his parents and grandmother tragically and unexpectedly died. He struggled greatly but supported his sister, working at the post office, in a pillow factory, and playing drums in a band. His sister Phyllis reports that he was at his happiest when he was drumming. He was incredibly smart too, and enjoyed his chemistry set and earned a 100 on his Geometry Regents.

As a young adult, Stan and his fellow band members enjoyed sojourns into the New York night life, including a fondness for pool halls. But when he met his wife-to-be, Faith, his energy shifted to more serious endeavors. She was the driving force behind his landing a job and finding a career path, even later on when they both worked in real estate. They had no means to afford college and both had to go to work right after graduating high school.

Stan and Faith were wonderful parents. They were both extremely driven to make a good life for the family. Stan was in sales by day and played drums in a band at night; Faith worked as a full-time bookkeeper, while Grandma Betty, who lived three floors up, watched the children during the day. They had three daughters: Julie, the first-born, and Stacey and Shari, the twins, who followed three years later. By 1969, the family had saved up enough money to move from a small Brooklyn apartment to a beautiful house in the suburbs. Stan and Faith had many friends, and the home was a constant site of barbecues and parties.

Stan was an extremely generous and giving person. One year on his birthday, the family went out to dinner to celebrate his special day, yet he was the one who surprised his family with beautiful Tiffany necklaces. Whenever anyone needed to go anywhere near or far, he was always the first one to offer a ride. He loved to drive, and he was the best shopper in the world; he and Faith always knew how to find a good bargain. He was also the master planner of the family, taking charge of all matters of practical living from travel to insurance to banking to cars.

Stan had a great sense of humor and was a brilliant businessman in the fashion industry. In his later years, he was a SCORE advisor in Manhattan advising start-up businesses. He was rightfully very proud of the women’s sportswear company, Intuitions, he started in the early 1970s. One night at the dinner table he proudly showed us pencils that displayed his company name and logo.

Our parents instilled a “can do” attitude in all of their children from an early age, an attitude that has also passed on to the grandchildren. Although our parents did not have the luxury of attending college, they inspired their girls to be avid learners. Because of their strong belief in education, we acquired two doctorates and one MBA.

Stan and Faith were the most loving grandparents to Brian, Gaby, Amanda, and Kelsey. Stan could always be found playing horsey on the floor with them or reading a book; he was a kid at heart and often discovered the most creative ways to make them laugh. The loss of Faith in 1998 hit him hard; she was Stan’s rock. After her passing, he lived in Florida for a while but came back to his native New York when driving became a challenge.

Stan went on home hospice in late September, and we are very grateful that they made his last days so comfortable. In remembrance of Stanley Ross, we would welcome any charitable donations be made to Alzheimer’s Association and Hospice of Westchester.