Stanley Clark Albertson
Stanley Clark Albertson passed away early Saturday morning, July 20, surrounded by family at Valle Vista Nursing and Rehab in Lewistown, Montana.
Stanley was born in Clayton, New Jersey on Aug. 15, 1941 to Robert and Dora Albertson. He was a son, brother, athlete, musician, uncle, father, teacher, coach, mentor, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to many.
At Clayton High School in South Jersey, he excelled on the football field. An All South Jersey running back, Stanley was awarded the Brooks Irving All South Jersey Football Award and would be inducted into the Gloucester County Sports Hall of Fame in 1987. He still holds rushing records to this day.
Stanley had a passion for music, playing trombone, organ and ukulele. The family has fond memories of him playing with his father and brothers at the Franklinville United Methodist Church. He and his father also played in the Pitman Hobo Band – a marching band that all dressed like hobos. In high school he played in a five-piece dance band called The Stars that performed music from the big band era. Stanley cherished those days and had a lifelong love for music. Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey were two of his all-time favorites.
While living in New Jersey, Stanley and his siblings enjoyed sharing his dad’s Lionel Train collection with visitors. The collection was located at the Franklinville Railroad Station behind the Albertson family home on Delsea Drive.
But as much as Stanley loved New Jersey, his athleticism took him to out west. He started his collegiate career at Grays Harbor College in Aberdeen, Washington, where he was recruited to play at Montana State University in Bozeman. Immediately, Stanley fell in love with the Big Sky State, taking great pleasure in hunting and fishing. He was also an avid golfer and card player.
While student teaching in Helena, Stanley met his wife, Kathleen Holmes. The two married in Absarokee and moved to Sidney, Montana, where Stanley was a history teacher and coach. He was instrumental in starting Sidney’s high school wrestling program and AAU program – both of which continue to flourish today. His teaching career spanned several decades, starting in Sidney at the junior high and then the high school. After moving back to New Jersey in the 1980s he taught history and coached at Buena High School, Kingsway High School and Delsea High School. He retired from teaching and moved back to the Big Sky.
A friend to many, some of those closest to Stanley were high school classmates Wilbur Fennell, Alex Reim, Louis Rambone, Bob Lindmeier, Stars bandmates Happy McCleish, John Hoops, Vincent Spinato and Bob Moffa, as well as Brien Panasuk, Colleen Shaw, Bill Thorndall, Steve Heath, Viann Bean, Tom and Buddha.
Stanley had many achievements during his 82 years of life, but what he took the most pride in were his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Stanley was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Dora. He is survived by his children DeAnn (Fontanella), Louie, and Kari (Charlie Denison), grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as his siblings Robert (Carole), David (Antonette), Carol Coulbourn (Thomas) and James (Mary) – plus many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his ex-wife Kathleen Holmes Albertson.
A service for Stanley will be held at the Community Congregational Church of Absarokee on Friday, July 26 at 2 p.m. A celebration of life will take place in Dad’s hometown – Franklinville, New Jersey in July, 2025. Condolences can be sent to Kari Albertson-Denison at PO Box 361, Absarokee, MT 59001 or shared at www.creelfuneralhome.com
