from the AP notice put out to AP retirees and sent to us by an Ex AP man and PPHP reader:
AP retiree Myron Belkin says a memorial service is set for Oct. 6 for London darkroom staffer Stan Grain. Belkind, a former assistant chief of bureau and bureau chief in London, worked with Grain from 1977 until Stan’s retirement in 1997 after a 39-year AP career. Grain was noted for having helped pioneer the AP color service in the 1960s.
Stan Grain died of a heart attack at his residence in Ashtead, Surrey, south of London, on Wednesday Sept. 21.
Paying tribute to him on his retirement, Lou Boccardi, then AP president and chief executive officer, wrote: “You provided strong darkroom support on many major events during the second half of the 20th century, including working on 49 U.S. presidential visits, Olympics, World Cups and every important Royal event going back to the early years in the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. “Throughout the Stan Grain era, there has been one consistent description of you from your peers: Stan insists on the highest standards. “You set these standards wherever you worked, and I am pleased that you also passed on your professionalism to future generations through the training you gave others.”
In a condolence message sent to Grain’s widow, Barbara, former London bureau chief Myron Belkind wrote: “Stan was decent, warm and humorous, which explains why he had so many friends in all aspects of his life. And it explains why he always will live on in our memories for setting the highest standards both professionally and personally. “We are all grateful to have known ‘Stan the Man.'”
The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, at St. Giles Church, Park Lane, Ashtead, Surrey, KT 21 1BL. Family flowers only please, donations in lieu, if desired, to the British Heart Foundation
