Stanley W. R. Sears passed away peacefully on May 6, 2026, with his daughters by his side. He was 85.

Born on April 17, 1941 in Newport, RI to Charles E. Sears and Mary T. Nunes, Stanley was raised in a large family alongside his late siblings: Chuck, Shirley, Phyliss, Roger, Ronnie, and Gary. He is survived by his daughters, Jennifer Sears and Terésa Virden; son-in-law Samuel Virden; many nieces and nephews; dear friends; and extended family who will continue to carry his stories and spirit forward.

From the time Stanley was young, he had a passion for anything mechanical. He knew everything there was to know about cars and spent much of his life buying, restoring, modifying, and caring for them with pride. Whether it was a hot rod, chopper, or an old engine someone else had given up on, Stanley could take it apart, rebuild it, and make it better than before. He believed in taking care of things and often reminded others, "If you take care of it, it will take care of you."

As a young man, he worked local jobs around Newport, where just about everyone seemed to know him. He had a slick style and mischievous sense of humor; he was an occasional troublemaker in the best possible way. He loved a good laugh and never passed up an opportunity to play a prank on family or friends.

In 1962, Stanley enlisted in the United States Army, where he quickly earned the rank of Sergeant through his hard work and dedication. During his service, he joined the Sport Parachute Club and completed countless unassisted parachute dives, an experience he spoke about proudly throughout his life. He also served in South Korea and carried many meaningful memories from his years in the military.

Stanley also had a long and accomplished career at Raytheon, working there for more than forty years as a machinist in the submarine division.

He married Lori A. Aguiar (Christensen) in 1979 and though life eventually took them on separate paths, together they raised two daughters and maintained a caring and respectful relationship rooted in their love for family.

Above all else, Stanley's greatest pride and joy are his daughters. He was the kind of father every girl hopes for; dependable, protective, loving, and endlessly supportive. No matter how busy life became, he never missed a school play, football game, parade, or important moment. His daughters always knew they came first, and he never stopped telling them how proud he was.

Stanley was known for being reliable to the core: punctual, honest, organized, and a man of his word. He approached life with discipline, pride, and determination. His independence was deeply important to him, and he continued to stay active well into his later years. Always a youthful spirit, he took pride in the fact that people could never guess his age. Some of his family's favorite memories were of him enthusiastically joining family volleyball and kickball games. One of the last things he did was mow his lawn, a simple act that perfectly reflected the strength, pride, and independence that defined him.

He loved the simple joys in life: old malt shop music, a cold Miller High Life, tinkering in the basement or garage, feeding his "birdies," (the hummingbirds), and spending time with his daughters. He had a good heart, a compassionate spirit, and a deep Catholic faith that guided him throughout his life.

To know Stanley was to know loyalty, humor, strength, and love. He lived life fully, worked hard, cared deeply for others, and left an unforgettable mark on everyone lucky enough to know him. Though our hearts are broken, we find comfort knowing that Stanley's legacy lives on in every lesson he taught, every laugh he shared, and every memory he helped create. He will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever celebrated.

A procession around Ocean Drive will start at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Newport, Rhode Island, on June 20, 2026, at 830 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life service at St. Peter's beginning at 10 a.m. Military honors and a memorial luncheon will take place afterward.