Stanley Albert Star

Stanley Albert Star was born in Fredonia, NY, a town he cherished and spoke of with great pride throughout his life. He passed away peacefully on May 29, 2026, surrounded by his beloved wife, Elizabeth, and the family he adored.

A visionary entrepreneur, Stanley co-founded Cliffstar Corporation and, through extraordinary determination and leadership, built it into the largest and most respected private label beverage company in the United States. He was as proud of his people as he was of his success — it was his custom to walk the plant floor and greet every employee by name, a small gesture that spoke to something large in his character: a genuine, abiding care for the people around him.

That same generosity of spirit extended far beyond the workplace. Stanley was a dedicated philanthropist. Together with Elizabeth, he endowed the Star Commons, a community gathering space at the Duke University School of Law, and established the Star Precision Medicine Center of Excellence in Mood Disorder at Johns Hopkins Medicine. He gave back to the communities he called home by naming the Star Hospice House in Jamestown, NY and by supporting the Darwin Barker Library in Fredonia, NY, the Grape Discovery Center in Westfield, NY, and the Dunkirk Police Department.

He will be deeply missed and long remembered by the countless lives he touched.

Stanley is survived by his devoted wife, Elizabeth A. Star; his three children, Elizabeth Hope Star, Richard J. Star (Shara), and Stephen B. Star (Susy); five grandchildren, Julia, Ben, Samantha, Jillian, and Jacob; and his brother, Leonard J. Star (Suzie). He was preceded in death by his sister, Doris Star.

A memorial service will be held at the Larson-Timko Funeral Home, 20 Central Ave in Fredonia, NY on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., followed by a graveside burial at Willowbrook Park Cemetery on Central Avenue in Dunkirk, NY. Following the burial, a reception will be held at the Shorewood Country Club, 4958 W. Lake Rd in Dunkirk, NY.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made in Stanley’s memory to the Star Hospice House in Jamestown, NY.