I first met Stan in London, UK, about 1963. We worked for Lummus, a USA-based engineering and construction company building oil refineries and chemical plants in the UK and Europe.

Stan was a cheery fellow, somewhat opinionated but good at his job and a good musician. In his work travels, he took his saxophone to practice at night in his B&B. For some B&Bs, he was banned as the noise disturbed the sleep of others.

In 1968, Lummus posted me to Montreal, Canada, and then to Toronto, and then I joined Petro-Canada in Calgary. I stayed in touch with Stan and may have influenced him to emigrate to Canada. We linked up when Stan joined Fluor Construction in Calgary. By then, I had lived in Canada for 12 years and decided it would be my forever home. Stan found it more challenging to adjust.

Petro-Canada posted me to Moscow, Russia, in 1992, and upon my return, I relocated to Ottawa with my wife Anna and young daughter Katya.

Stan's annual Christmas letters and my return phone calls kept us updated on our news. I learned of the sad passing of Stan's partner Jean, his continuing love of music and the enjoyment he gave and received playing in retirement residences and, more latterly, his health decline.

Farewell, dear friend and colleague. John Brooks