Stanley was born in Hartford July 21, 1924, son of the late Margaret (Carey) and Stanley L. Cleaver Sr. He was a graduate of Hartford Public High School and was retired from Southern New England Telephone Co.

He was a Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne, 508th Paratroop Infantry Regiment, landing in St. Mere-Eglise, behind enemy lines on the night before the D-Day invasion. He was a member of General Eisenhower's Honor Guard.

After his retirement, Stanley was an active member of the Telephone Pioneers, The American Legion Wethersfield Post 23 and participated in many various charitable works. He also volunteered with Meals on Wheels, and Services for the Blind and the VFW. He leaves to cherish his memory, his daughters, Kathy Jennette and her husband Peter of Wethersfield, Christine Cleaver of New Britain, Eileen Sylvestre and her husband Alan of West Hartford, and Mary Catherine Cleaver of East Hartford. His grandchildren whom he adored, Meghan Jennette of New Haven, and Andrew and Sheila Sylvestre of West Hartford. He also leaves a brother Robert Cleaver of West Hartford and a host of nieces and nephews.

His family wishes to thank the staff at St. Francis Hospital and Wethersfield Healthcare for the excellent care he received during his final days.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, February 7, at 10:15 a.m. from the Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 34 Beaver Rd., Wethersfield, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in Corpus Christi Church, 601 Silas Deane Hwy., Wethersfield. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.

Stanley's family will receive relatives and friends Tuesday February 6, from 4-7 p.m. at the Funeral Home. The family requests In Lieu of Flowers, Memorial donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans P.O. Box 310909, Newington, CT 06131-0909.

(The Hartford Courant, Hartford, CT, 5 Feb 2007, Page B4 courtesy of Tedd Cocker)