Charles “Chuck” Henry Symonds Stanton, Jr.
Navy Veteran and staff commodore of Ventura Yacht Club, Charles “Chuck” Henry Symonds Stanton, Jr., passed away on Jan. 10.
Stanton was born in Beverly, Mass, Feb. 5, 1936, the son of Charles Henry Symonds Stanton and Irene. He attended Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, majoring in mechanical engineering. After graduation, he completed four years in ROTC and entered the Navy as an ensign. After his military service, he worked for Icore International as vice president of sales.
While attending college in Chicago he met and fell in love with Irene Peterson, who was studying in the RN program at Michael Reese Hospital. They married in 1959 in Manitowoc, Wisc.
He leaves behind his loving wife, Irene, and daughters, Sara Stanton of Lake Tahoe and Naomi Barulich and husband Jerome of San Francisco; son Chip Stanton who is a fire captain in Santa Clara County and his wife, Jessa of Santa Cruz; grandchildren Parker Stanton and Liam Stanton, and brother, Robert and wife Christine who live in Atlanta.
Chuck and Irene moved to Ventura in 1978, coming from Woodland Hills in San Fernando Valley. They purchased Anchors Way Marine boat yard that year and also joined Ventura Yacht Club, where he was a moving force on numerous projects and flew the club burgee in numerous blue chip sailboat races. He became commodore in 1989.
Stanton started sailing in Beverly, Mass, when he was 10 years old and sailed his whole life. He bought his first sailboat in 1968, a Coronado 25, and sailed out of Marina Del Rey until 1978. While at Marina Del Rey he also owned an Ericson 30 and then a PT 30, Chubasco. After moving to Ventura he first campaigned Chubasco, then a Wilderness 40 called Falcon, and finally a J-24, Chuck Wagon. For several of his racing years, Chuck had the pleasure of having son Chip aboard as one of his trusted crew members.
After he “retired” from racing, he became extremely active with race committee work, becoming the only member in VYC history to have won the Glen Chambers award for yeoman committee work on the water. Irene was at his side as they served as co-principal race officers for two years in the club’s popular Wet Wednesday Series. She was awarded the prestigious Pop Massa award, twice, the only member in the club to be so honored.
In addition to his love for sailing, he also was an avid hunter and horseman. He hunted on Catalina Island on a couple of occasions and in Nevada and Wisconsin.
There will be a celebration of life for family and friends at Ventura Yacht Club on Saturday, Jan. 24 from noon to 3 p.m.
His ashes will be taken to sea on the powerboat, Baroness, in private family ceremonies.