Stanley Gray Hastings, Sr., age 91, of Emporium, PA passed away at UPMC Cole, Coudersport, PA on Wednesday morning (March 5, 2025) following a courageous battle with multiple cancers. He was born November 1, 1933 in Wellsboro, PA a son of the late John G. and Rachel Brown Hastings.
Our father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend led a long and fulfilling life. In his youth, he helped his dad with an ice business, working on jobs in auto shops, bellhop at the Penn Wells Hotel, and a cleaner at the Arcadia Theater in Wellsboro before serving in the US Coast Guard.
He graduated, in the class of 1951, from Wellsboro High School and the Chicago Institute of Applied Science studying criminal identification in law enforcement. He also studied at state sponsored courses on civil and criminal law and experience in fingerprint identification bureau of the US Army.
He served as a special police officer for two years and in 1956, he started as full-time Wellsboro patrolman. He resigned from these positions after serving from 1956 to 1960.
He served as a Pennsylvania deputy game protector from 1960 through 1964. He attended intensive training at the Pennsylvania Fish Commission’s Bellfonte Hatchery which included fish hatchery, biology, propagation, distribution of fish, fish laws and law enforcement where he graduated in the first class of wardens.
In 1965, Stan chose Cameron County for he served as "Fish Warden ", "Waterways Patrolman“ and Pennsylvania Waterways and Conservation Officer until his retirement in 1995. While serving as Cameron County Waterways Patrolman, he had many deputies serving with him throughout the years. One had a special interest in rattlesnakes. Stan tells his family stories of collecting rattles in his youth for spending money. That attraction led to many years of rattlesnake handling. In fact, at the time of his death, he was the oldest licensed rattlesnake handler in the state of Pennsylvania. Also a member of the "fang club "as during his career he had been bitten three times. He was also requested to do a private family show for former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge.
Some of his best memories and stories were of spending time working with our late game protector, Norm Erickson. Throughout Stan’s years, he was awarded forest fire warden, Pennsylvania State Police crimes code courses and in 1975, outstanding waterways patrolman for North Central Region, three years National Rifle Association, Police sharpshooting and marksmanship and many other awards. In 1995, he was presented a certificate from DER for serving 30 years as a forest fire warden and in 2005 conservationist of the year.
He was a member of the Bucktail Rod & Gun Club, Bucktail Watershed Association, Sinnamahoning Sportsmans Club and James Zwald Chapter of the Trout Unlimited. He was a member of the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church and Endless Mountains Methodist Churches in Emporium.
He is survived by a daughter, Diana M. Groome (David) and a son, Stanley G. Hastings, Jr. (Dorothy) both of Emporium; 4 grandchildren: Brandon M. Alloe, St. Marys, Kaleena Tabicas (Virgil), Fall River, MA; Brian G. Hastings (Ashley), Pittsburgh and Stephanie Margo (Andy), Pittsburgh, 3 great grandsons: Virgil Tabicas, III, AJ and Isaac Margo; 2 brothers, William Hastings (Cindy), New York and Richard Hastings (Linda), Wellsboro; 2 sisters, Marjorie Freeman (Jack) and Margaret Hastings, both of Wellsboro; numerous nieces and nephews.
Stan was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson, Eric Hastings in infancy and a brother, John G. Hastings, Jr.
There will be no visitation. A memorial service will be held at the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church, 1284 Sizerville Road, Emporium, PA on Thursday (March 20, 2025) at 12:00 PM with Rev. Dr. Andrew Spore, Pastor of Endless Mountains Methodist Church officiating. The PA Fish Commision will hold a brief service followed by a military service by the Cameron County Memorial Detail.
Burial will be in the West Branch Cemetery, Wellsboro, PA
Memorial Contributions may be made to the charity of the donors choice.
Online Condolences may be placed at www.BarnettFuneralHome.net
BARNETT FUNERAL HOME, Inc. entrusted with arrangements.
