Born at Petaluma General Hospital, Petaluma, CA on January 30, 1946 and passed away in Cotati, CA on October 6, 2012 from complications of melanoma. He was predeceased by his parents, Willard Ritko and Esther Ritko. Stanley is survived by his sister, JoAnn Ritko Pozzi (Natale); his niece, Andrea Pozzi (Guy Fairon) and dear friend, Juanita Bento. He was raised in Penngrove and Cotati and worked as a custom farmer with his dad from the age of 12, starting at the Rohnert Park Seed Farm. He was a simple man with a huge kind heart. Always anxious to teach others what he knew. A master hay farmer and a great talker with plenty of time for it. He loved the simple things of life and always ready to ask or explain - How do they do that? Family and friends are invited to attend the Graveside Service, Friday, October 12, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at Cypress Hill Memorial Park, 430 Magnolia Ave., Petaluma. PARENT-SORENSEN MORTUARY & CREMATORY.