Ronald W. Stanko

BLUE HILL, ME - Ronald Walter Stanko, 81, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 5, 2024 in Rockland, ME. He was born October 12, 1942, in Elizabeth, NJ. Ron grew up in Roselle Park, NJ, with his loving parents, Walter Stanko and Pauline Lang Stanko, and three siblings. From the time that he was a small child, he had a deep passion for learning, and never missed a day at Roselle Park High School. Upon receiving his Bachelors of Science from Rutgers University in Agriculture in 1965, Ron took a position at Wolf’s Neck Farm in southern Maine. After a farming accident left him with back issues, he went on to get his teaching certificate from the University of Maine at Orono, and began teaching at Camden High School in 1966. From there, he made his way to Blue Hill in 1967, where he made his home with the love of his life, Cherry Astbury, whom he cherished and loved with his whole heart until her passing in 2022. Over his 33 year career as a biology teacher at George Stevens Academy, he forged many close bonds with the community as a small farmer, director of Nichols Day Camp, coordinator of the local 4-H chapter, and in many other roles over the years. He was also an active member of the First Baptist Church of Blue Hill and deacon at the Penobscot Baptist Church.

Throughout his career Ron was well-known for his humor, his heart, and his insatiable love for all things biological, frequently going above and beyond to get students involved from whatever level they were at. From the fetal pig pranks, the fruit fly infestations, and the black market for sophomore bug collections, “Mr. Stanko” was known for making science memorable. The “roadkill freezer” was a particularly gruesome and fascinating cabinet of curiosities that needs no further explanation.

However, he is known most of all for always remembering the names of former students, keeping up with their journeys far after their time at GSA, and teaching many of their children. He didn’t just teach—he deeply touched the lives of generations, who frequently referred to him as a pivotal figure in their lives. Upon retiring from GSA in 2000, he continued on as a part- time science teacher and tutor for the next 15 years at Life Christian Academy in Ellsworth, and Blue Hill Harbor School. His deep love for his students continues to resonate throughout the Blue Hill Peninsula and surrounding communities, which is a testament to what teaching truly should be—fostering the love of learning, and the growth of the whole person, with the deep care that a farmer has for his flock.

Ron is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Samantha and Joshua Jones, and their grandson, Galen; sister Valerie and husband, Milton Sanders, CA; sister Sharon and husband, Kenneth Dreher and their family, NJ; brother, Bradley Stanko and his wife, Annemarie and their family, NJ; cousin, Ruth Lang Sottos and husband, Nick, NJ; and cousin, Cynthia Stanko and her family, Nassau, Bahamas.

“Uncle Ron” will also be deeply missed by Cherry’s family (the Astburys, McGraws, and Woodwards), including a throng of nieces and nephews and countless “adopted” kids from all over, whom he delighted in entertaining with his quirky humor and horseplay, and will never be forgotten.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, October 20, 2024, at First Baptist Church of Blue Hill, followed by a public reception at the Farmhouse Inn on outer Pleasant Street. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com, where livestream and remembrance links will also be available. Gifts in Ron's memory may be made at www.georgestevensacademy.org/online-gift (choose “In Memory of” and specify Ron Stanko), and checks may be sent to George Stevens Academy, 23 Union Street
Blue Hill, ME 04614 (specify the “Ronald Stanko Memorial Fund” in the memo line).

To attend the service remotely, please visit ronstanko.com