Stanley Julius Noonan

Stanley Julius Noonan Passed away peacefully at home in Sonoma, CA, surrounded by family, October 25, 2009. He was 96. Stan was a professional singer, musician and entertainer whose long career started in the Big Band era and spanned opera, musicals, radio and TV. Born on July 22, 1913 to Walter and Julia (O'Leary) Noonan of Sacramento, Stan attended St. Francis School, Sacramento High School, before graduating from Sacramento Junior College. His sister Dorothy, a professional pianist and music professor , often accompanied him at concerts. At age 16 Stan joined the Dick Jurgens Orchestra, a popular Big Band from Sacramento. From 1929 to 1937, Stan toured the country with them playing trumpet, violin, trombone, and doubling as a vocalist. After returning to begin serious vocal study, he joined the San Francisco Opera Company in 1939 where he enjoyed roles in "Madame Butterfly", "La Traviata" and "Carmen", among others. In 1941, Stan joined the U.S. Army where he passed up special duty as an entertainer, instead asking for a combat assignment. He served in the South Pacific with the 230th Antiaircraft Artillery Searchlight Battalion as 1st Lieutenant and saw action on Leyte and Okinawa. Following WWII, Stan resumed his singing career, taking a lead role in the Broadway musical "Up in Central Park" which toured the country. Stan appeared often as soloist with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, the Carmel Bach Festival, the Midsummer Music Festival at Stern Grove, and the Orpheon Male Chorus. The Stan Noonan Singers group were known especially for their Christmas programs held at the World Trade and Commercial Clubs. In the 1950's Stan's radio and television work included two of his own shows, Young Man with a Song (KCBS) and Remember (KRON-TV). He was a regular on The Standard Hour (NBC-TV), Music You Love (KNBC), and This Morning (KPIX-TV). In the summer of 1956 he emerged a winner on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts Program and then appeared on Godfrey's national show for several seasons. One of Stan's favorite activities was his participation in the Bohemian Club which he joined in 1940. Over the years he performed in numerous Grove Plays often assuming the lead. For decades, Stan sang at and then directed the traditional "Preacher's Sons' Night" program, up to the year 2004 when he was 91. Stan was honored in the Bohemian Club as a member of The List of Fifty. Stan's baritone voice will be remembered by many who attended Old St. Mary's or St. Bridget's, as well as Congregation Emanu-El where he sang as soloist for 40 years including a decade as cantor soloist. In 1946, Stan married Mary Wallace of Santa Ana, CA. They were long-time residents of Palo Alto before moving to Sonoma. They were married for 59 years until her passing in 2005. A popular event for the Noonan family was their time spent together in Yosemite. From 1953 through 1967, Stan was a featured entertainer on the Camp Curry stage. The family fondly recalls his "Indian Love Call" sung during the nightly Firefall ceremony. Stan is preceded in death by his wife Mary Wallace Noonan, his brother, Walter and sister Dorothy. He is survived by his daughter, Carol (John) Klacik of Olympia, WA and his son Tim (Cindy) Noonan of Sonoma, CA and six grandchildren who carry on the musical tradition - Joe Klacik and Tim, David, John, Heidi and Michael Noonan. Funeral Services were held on October 30, 2009 with burial in the Veterans Memorial Park, Sonoma, CA.