Hugh Monroe Stanley Jr

Hugh Monroe Stanley, Jr. was born in Fort Lewis, Washington on October 25, 1944. A loving husband, devoted father, and the silliest of Grandfathers, he passed away peacefully on June 22, the day after Father’s Day.

Hugh was an avid reader and baker, follower of Cleveland sports, part-time landscaper, and interested in anything and everything that caught his eye. He enjoyed a good joke, his family and friends, and a nice gin martini—with a lemon twist and olives, an order that befuddled waiters around the world.

Smart, passionate, and loving, his biggest joy—after his family—was being a trial lawyer, first at Arter & Hadden and later Tucker Ellis. He loved being in the courtroom arguing a point before judges and opposing counsel, but, most importantly, he had the opportunity to practice law with his friends. Even as he moved farther from the daily practice of law, he maintained his law license “just in case.”

He is survived by his best friend and wife of 57 years, Patricia (nee Page), his daughter, Allison Stanley Melich (Greg), his sons Matthew Stanley (Melissa) and Trevor Stanley (Kate), and his 5 (soon to be 6) granddaughters, Margaret and Anne Melich, Katherine, Sadie, and Millie Stanley, and the new granddaughter due in August (he took great pride in being the only family member other than Matt and Melissa to know the baby’s name in advance—a secret he never divulged). He is preceded in death by his parents Rita Elizabeth and Hugh M. Stanley Senior and older sister Patricia Wilson and her daughter, Hugh’s Godchild, Celeste Wilson Valentour.

He is also survived by his sisters Susan Marie Gutendorf (Robert) and Barbara Ann Zink (Glenn), whom, along with his sister Patty (Wally), he loved fiercely, and multiple brothers and sisters in law and scores of adored nieces and nephews.

Hugh graduated from the Chaminade Boys School, the University of Dayton, and the Georgetown University Law Center, which he attended on a full scholarship. He received numerous accolades during his legal career and was a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Society of Barristers. As a mentor, he counseled friends, clients, and colleagues alike. During his over 50 years in the legal profession, he was most happy seeing others achieve success, and he was happier speaking about the accomplishments of others rather than his own.

He will be greatly missed, but his most important wish was that his death be a celebration and not a time of sadness. To all of his family, friends, and caregivers—thank you.

Family and friends are welcome to St. John Funeral Home, 16381 Chillicothe Rd, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 on Wednesday, July 1 from 4 P.M. to 7 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, July 2 at Our Lady of Peace, 12601 Shaker Blvd, Shaker Heights, OH 44120 at 12 P.M. Cremation to follow with a private family interment at a later date. 

 A donation to a charity of your choice in Hugh's name would make him smile.