Stanley C. Close of Northford passed peacefully on March 11 at the Hospital of St. Raphael Campus at Yale New Haven Hospital. He was the husband of the late Dorothy Goddard Close. Stanley was born in Branford on March 4, 1936, son of the late Lewis M. and Mary Sokolosky Close.

He was a highly skilled and proud union machinist with Pratt & Whitney for 45 years until retiring in 2002. In his younger years, he was drawn toward anything mechanical (his pride and joy was his 1957 Chevrolet convertible), he played softball, was an avid bowler and was often cheered on by his growing family. He enjoyed antiquing with his wife Doffy and his model train collection. He especially loved his many family vacations to Maine. In his more recent years, Stanley looked forward to our annual trips to the casino to survey and undoubtfully reminisce the overpriced vehicles at the Barrett Jackson televised auction.

Stanley is survived by his children Lisa Close of Northford, Michael Close (girlfriend Kelly Cox-who has given her undeniable love and support to the entire Close family for more than two decades) of Northford, and Mead Close (girlfriend Michele Parks) of Norwich and his grandchildren Kelsey Tamulevich, Mead Allen Close, Jr., Joshua Cove, Mathew Olander and Michele Cove, Angela Hao and Jamerson Cox. He was predeceased by his brother Lewis M. Close, III. He is survived by his sister-in-law Marsha Boutilier of Maine.

Friends visited March 21 at the W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, Branford. Funeral services were held March 22 in the Northford Congregational Church, followed by burial in the Northford Cemetery. For his online memorial, see www.wsclancy.com.