Eric J. Stanley

1951 - 2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the recent passing of former Barrington resident Eric J. Stanley, 73, on April 13, 2025. He was the beloved father of triplets- Viall, Adrien, and Lucie -and the son of the late Henry R. and Barbara (Taylor) Stanley, both lifelong residents of Barrington. As a father, son, brother, uncle, and friend, he devoted himself to those around him always "putting people first."

Eric was a graduate of Barrington High School in 1969, received his BA from Colgate University in 1973, and an M.B.A. in marketing, finance, and international business from Columbia University in 1978. Throughout his life, he was a successful entrepreneur, learning and practicing in various areas. In high school, he learned land surveying and civil engineering, continuing in that area throughout his university years. He also obtained his real estate license and managed properties, and he sold the first condominiums in Rhode Island. Additionally, he consulted with banks and lawyers on condominium law in Rhode Island.

Upon completion of his M.B.A., Eric joined the NBC News corporate staff where he was responsible for managing worldwide news gathering, sports, and technology budgets. His earlier work led him to become NBC's international marketing director, where he traveled extensively and developed partnerships in more than 50 countries. After leaving NBC, Eric founded his own company, PRAXIS TV, which specialized in acquiring and brokering media rights on an international scale. His strategic capabilities brought him to Turkey to develop a national TV channel in just nine months.

Afterward, Eric returned to the U.S., invested in PRO Ski Racing, and served as a board member, helping to consolidate men's and women's professional skiing into a single organization. He continued to work in film, and in the early 2000s produced a film in France that earned recognition at the Cannes Film Festival.

After completing the three-year film project, Eric made France his home where he met his future wife, Pascale Hornus. Raising their triplets became his top priority. For Eric, this was the most important phase of his life. He regarded his children as his greatest accomplishments, a role he took very seriously. The knowledge and love he shared with his children is something he wished every child could experience. He dedicated himself to guiding the next generation, supporting the planet's future, and helping those in need. Eric was an avid athlete, passionate about golf, skiing, sailing, tennis, biking, and motorbiking, passions he shared with his children.

His surviving siblings are Linda Dionne (Ray), Debra Stanley (Ken), Judith Lemieux (Mark), and Jane Eskelund (Lance). He also leaves behind more than 35 nieces and nephews across three generations, as well as his mentee, Perry Rogers and his family. He was preceded in death by his siblings, the late Janis Lombardi and Christine Bellrose (Don), as well as his niece, Sarah Davis.

An Oceanside Service will be held on Saturday, October 25th, at 11:00 a.m. at Matunuck Town Beach, located on Matunuck Beach Road, Rhode Island. A Celebration of Life will follow from 12-4 pm at Arturo Joe's Restaurant, 140 Point Judith Road, Narragansett, RI. Please RSVP to Lindadionne512@gmail.com for lunch.