Hello, you many be aware that my younger brother Stan passed away in April, 2020. Here is information on his obituary which appeared in the Detroit Free Press this past Sunday. I can send a PDF or other info or formats if you wish. Good Luck with the reunion. Stan Nechal Remembrance Stan Nechal, 66 of Detroit, Michigan died a year ago on April 13, 2020. Stan was a true Detroiter who loved local history as well as music, travel and nature. He resided most of his adult life in Detroit or its nearby neighborhoods including Midtown, Indian Village, Corktown and Hamtramck. He was a lifelong Detroit enthusiast and enjoyed its’ rich heritage including games as old Tiger Stadium, swimming at Belle Isle, or patronizing diverse bars and eating places. Many were blessed by Stan’s in depth and intimate tours of Detroit. As a cab driver, he knew the city and its surroundings like the back of his hand. He developed loyal taxicab patrons who always enjoyed their conversations with Stan. Born In Owosso, Michigan and raised in Ferndale, Stan graduated from St. James High School and attended Wayne State University. As a child he loved the outdoors and became an Eagle Scout. Stan was proud of his Czech heritage and was fortunate to have visited his ancestral village and homeland. He assembled a significant collection of Czech books, music and other memorabilia. Stan was predeceased by his parents Frank and Mildred (Kurivial) Nechal. He is survived by his two older brothers Bob (Carolyn) of St. Paul, MN. And Jerry (Judy) of Sylvan Lake, MI as well as two nieces and one nephew Corrine Nechalova (Vini), Anne Nechal (Derek) and Nathan (Gina) Nechal. His ashes will reside at Elwood Cemetery in Detroit.
Stanley’s house and my house in Ferndale were about 200 feet apart but to get there I had to jump the back fence, walk though our neighbors yard and cross the street. Stanley was easy going, smart and he possessed a clever sense of humor. He liked to play board games and he was good at them almost always winning. When we were 8 or 9 we did a grass cutting and leaf raking business. I remember a lady paid us $5 to rake the leaves and we thought we had struck it rich! Until we saw the gigantic oak tree in her back yard and the enormous amount of leaves about one foot deep covering the entire back yard. It took us all day to do that job. The entire time Stanley kept talking about using the money to go to the movies to see “The Guns of Navarone”. We talked our Mom’s into letting us go to the matinee where the five dollars from our leaf job got us both in. As we walked out the door after the movie was over Stanley loudly proclaimed it “the greatest movie ever made”.
In high school we drifted apart as I played sports and Stanley did not but we always remained friendly. We did reconnect one night senior year taking my Dad’s car to cruise Woodward Ave. We drove through the parking lot of the Big Boys at Woodward and ten mile road and the parking lot of the Big Boys at Woodward and Normandy road ending our wild and crazy night at the Red Barn with burgers, fries and a shake.
Stanley was a good guy and I was looking forward to seeing him at our 50th reunion. Rest In Peace Stan the man.
PS
The font of all knowledge (the internet) says “The Guns of Navarone” was nominated for 7 academy awards including best picture. However that year the academy choose to give the best picture award to “West Side Story”. I think Stanley would not agree with them.
Lawrence Murray
I received this message from Stans brother Jerry.
Hello, you many be aware that my younger brother Stan passed away in April, 2020. Here is information on his obituary which appeared in the Detroit Free Press this past Sunday. I can send a PDF or other info or formats if you wish. Good Luck with the reunion. Stan Nechal Remembrance Stan Nechal, 66 of Detroit, Michigan died a year ago on April 13, 2020. Stan was a true Detroiter who loved local history as well as music, travel and nature. He resided most of his adult life in Detroit or its nearby neighborhoods including Midtown, Indian Village, Corktown and Hamtramck. He was a lifelong Detroit enthusiast and enjoyed its’ rich heritage including games as old Tiger Stadium, swimming at Belle Isle, or patronizing diverse bars and eating places. Many were blessed by Stan’s in depth and intimate tours of Detroit. As a cab driver, he knew the city and its surroundings like the back of his hand. He developed loyal taxicab patrons who always enjoyed their conversations with Stan. Born In Owosso, Michigan and raised in Ferndale, Stan graduated from St. James High School and attended Wayne State University. As a child he loved the outdoors and became an Eagle Scout. Stan was proud of his Czech heritage and was fortunate to have visited his ancestral village and homeland. He assembled a significant collection of Czech books, music and other memorabilia. Stan was predeceased by his parents Frank and Mildred (Kurivial) Nechal. He is survived by his two older brothers Bob (Carolyn) of St. Paul, MN. And Jerry (Judy) of Sylvan Lake, MI as well as two nieces and one nephew Corrine Nechalova (Vini), Anne Nechal (Derek) and Nathan (Gina) Nechal. His ashes will reside at Elwood Cemetery in Detroit.
Dennis Wigman
Stanley’s house and my house in Ferndale were about 200 feet apart but to get there I had to jump the back fence, walk though our neighbors yard and cross the street. Stanley was easy going, smart and he possessed a clever sense of humor. He liked to play board games and he was good at them almost always winning. When we were 8 or 9 we did a grass cutting and leaf raking business. I remember a lady paid us $5 to rake the leaves and we thought we had struck it rich! Until we saw the gigantic oak tree in her back yard and the enormous amount of leaves about one foot deep covering the entire back yard. It took us all day to do that job. The entire time Stanley kept talking about using the money to go to the movies to see “The Guns of Navarone”. We talked our Mom’s into letting us go to the matinee where the five dollars from our leaf job got us both in. As we walked out the door after the movie was over Stanley loudly proclaimed it “the greatest movie ever made”.
In high school we drifted apart as I played sports and Stanley did not but we always remained friendly. We did reconnect one night senior year taking my Dad’s car to cruise Woodward Ave. We drove through the parking lot of the Big Boys at Woodward and ten mile road and the parking lot of the Big Boys at Woodward and Normandy road ending our wild and crazy night at the Red Barn with burgers, fries and a shake.
Stanley was a good guy and I was looking forward to seeing him at our 50th reunion. Rest In Peace Stan the man.
PS
The font of all knowledge (the internet) says “The Guns of Navarone” was nominated for 7 academy awards including best picture. However that year the academy choose to give the best picture award to “West Side Story”. I think Stanley would not agree with them.