STAN CAGLE

March 15, 1961

-Sept. 14, 2012

On the morning of Friday, Sept. 14, 2012, Key West lost a great companion, friend and yes, definitely a character. He grew up in the Smoky Mountains in North Carolina before leaving home at an early age and landing his feet in Northern Michigan. It was here that he would eventually meet his life partner of 21 years before his passing. While he was a child, he was introduced to the world of antiques, gaining priceless knowledge that led to owning several antique shops, handling auctions and estates and later a gift shop/deli operation. He was a lead baker for nine years while antiquing, and then on to culinary school in Chicago. He was always giving his time unselfishly to help any organization that needed a fundraiser.

Of course he would not take no for an answer when he was selling 50/50 tickets, and nobody could hide from him. One of his greatest joys was seeing a smile on someone's face enjoying his good food. You could always see him leaning over a stove in the kitchen at the American Legion, preparing one of the many meals everyone enjoyed. One person's trash was always Stan's treasure, dragging something home saying, "We can use this" -- not that there was any room for it. So he would refinish or reupholster it and it would turn out great. Well known for saying it like it is and yet always making sure that nobody's feelings were being abused by anyone else. Yes, Stan, you will be greatly missed, but I know you will not miss the pain you were enduring at the end. A celebration of life will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, at the American Legion on College Road, Stock Island. Any contributions can be made to the American Diabetes Association in memory of him.