Stanley Tracton

Stanley Tracton peacefully left us Thursday, February 6, 2025, surrounded by his family. He passed one month after his 98th birthday, and one day after what would have been his 76th wedding anniversary to his wife, Shirley Brownstein Tracton ("z” l") The eldest child of Jacob (Jack) Tracton and Mary Kaufman Tracton, Stan loved his two siblings Edith Tracton Moss ("z” l") and Arthur Allen Tracton ("z” l") (Maxine Bialek Tracton) and all his nieces and nephews.

He met his beloved wife Shirley his first day at Temple University which he attended on the GI bill. His bachelor and master’s degrees in education led to his teaching science and later computers for 34 years at Philadelphia’s Leeds Junior High. His unique and creative approach to teaching addressed the learning style of each student allowing them to take the same test multiple times until they learned the material. Those same years he became active in and ultimately a regional director of the PA Junior Academy of Science. He also worked with his father as a printer. 

A Philadelphian all his life, Stanley spent his youth in South Philly, and later in Mt Airy where his four children were born. Paula Tracton Mandel (Richard), Wayne (Jane Willen Tracton), Gregg (Kate Bannister Tracton) and Keith (Debra Perez Tracton) were all very loved by and devoted to him. His family remained his priority all his life as he travelled the country attending every celebration, play, art opening and sporting event important to his 4 children, 8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. 

Stanley’s creative spirit was an example for those around him as he came up with unique and innovative ways to solve problems, living up to his nickname: “Daddy Fix-it!”. Family and friends benefitted from his scavenging broken TVs and appliances which he fixed and gifted. Stanley infused all his children and grandchildren with a love of chess which he played all his life (including a well-worn tale, potentially true, of losing to Bobby Fisher while on the Temple University Chess Team). He was always learning and teaching even after retiring. Painting became his new passion at 59. He became a Bar Mitzvah in Israel at the age of 69.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Artman Benevolent Care Fund 7002 Butler Pike Ambler, PA 19002, www.artmanhome.org/giving.