MICHAEL "STEAMER" STANLEY (1944-2024)

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V27 2024 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 27, Number 29, July 21, 2024, Article 9

At one time, I was involved with the ANA Representative program. Twenty-Five years ago, I was a District Delegate from Minnesota and Mike Stanley was a District Delegate from California. I would see him at the ANA Representative's breakfasts at the World's Fair of Money.

Mike was born in San Francisco. His collection evolved from an 1864 Two-Cent piece given by his grandmother when he was four. He joined the San Francisco Coin Club in 1960.

I recall one year he made a presentation at the breakfast. He was a very energetic and enthusiastic supporter of the ANA. Later in 2008, he was promoted to assistant national coordinator.

Mike received an ANA President's Award in 1997 and 1999. He received the Glenn Smedley Memorial Award in 1988 and the ANA Medal of Merit in 1989. The Numismatist stated that he was a member of 47 local, regional and national clubs. In 2000. He began working as an ANA Volunteer at the national shows.

He was typical of those who were named a Numismatic News Numismatic Ambassador, working at the local and regional level. He was a frequent speaker, exhibitor, bourse chair and officer in various clubs.

Mike Stanley passed away peacefully of natural causes on the morning of Wednesday June 26, 2024 at his Care Home in Walnut Creek. Mike was born to Virginia and Milan Stanley. He is the eldest of 5 brothers raised in Daly City, CA. He attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help ( OLPH) elementary and then onto Junipero Serra High School class of 1962. Shortly after High School, he began his 20 year U.S. Naval career in communications and served on the USS Enterprise CVN 65 Aircraft carrier. Among many of his career adventures Mike became a Radio DJ while stationed on Midway Island. It was there he popularized the "Uncle Steamer's good ole' Rockin' Roll show". He became known for his story telling and card tricks as well.

Mike met and married his wife Nancy of 43 years until her passing in 2018. They resided in Concord and raised their two children there. Mike retired from the US Navy and went on to the next 23 years working as a US Postal carrier for the city of Antioch. He later worked for the next 16 years being a security guard and catching bad guys. Mike then went onto becoming the Commander of the VFW Post 5182 and the American Legion Post 331.

Over the years Mike was very passionate about coin collecting. He was a member of numerous Numismatics clubs on local and national levels. He achieved the Numismatic Ambassador Award in 2000. Mike was also an avid SF Giants, 49ers, and Warriors fan. He very much enjoyed attending games when he could. His hobbies over the years also included bowling and collecting baseball cards. He enjoyed being the announcer for card shows and introducing sports celebrities as well as special guests.

"It has been many years since we have heard from our good friend Mike "Steamer" Stanley, and are deeply saddened over his recent passing. He is now with the love of his life, his wife Nancy. Over many years Steamer has been on our greeting card and email list; Years back we were always happy to see and talk to him at ANA and California events or shows that we attended.

"Steamer was a dedicated coin show worker not only for the many California coin clubs he belonged to but also for the ANA where at one time he handled the message center. We will always remember when Steamer and Mike Mr. T. as we like to call him went to the Canadian Numismatic Association show back in the early 2000's, when I John was the ANA President. Michael "Steamer" Stanley was a force in the hobby and will be greatly missed by his many friends in the Numismatic hobby. Our deepest sympathies to his family."

To read the complete online obituary, see:
Mr. Michael "Steamer" Milan Stanley (https://everloved.com/life-of/michael-milan-stanley/obituary/)