BURLINGTON, VT. - Henry "Hank" Francis Stannard, died peacefully on October 31st 2012 at the Burlington Health and Rehabilitation Center in Burlington, Vt.

Born on February 3rd 1920 in Burlington, Vt., he was the youngest son of Charles P. and Agnes B. (Nephew) Stannard's 13 children.

Hank spent the whole of his life as a proud Burlington, Vt. resident.

Hank attended Cathedral Elementary School and graduated from Cathedral High School in 1939, where he was a four-year member of the baseball and basketball teams.

Named to the All-Northern Basketball Team in 1938, and the All-State teams in 1938 and 1939, he was captain of the Cathedral High School State Champions in 1939, the first time the team had won the championship since 1922 when his older brother, Gus, was captain.

On his induction into the Rice-Cathedral Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994, Hank's former teammate, Robert "Red" Merola, said of him, "there never was a more unselfish player nor a greater gentleman on or off the court."

After graduation, Hank continued playing basketball in semi-pro Gold Medal Tournaments, garnering Sportsmanship, MVP and All-Tournament awards along the way.

Hank attended St. Michael's College for a year, before being called to serve his country during World War II as a corporal in the U.S. Army stationed in England.

After his return to Vermont, he married Patricia "Pat" Ellen Kelley in 1947, and he and Pat made what would be their lifelong home among their friends and relatives in the Burlington, Vt. area.

He was a small business owner for many years, before joining George Little Press as a platemaker.

In retirement, his warm and friendly personality made him a popular crossing guard for the Burlington School Department.

Over the years, Hank was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Burlington Chamber of Commerce, and the Burlington Men's Softball League.

He served as a commissioner on the Burlington Parks Department Board of Directors and, for several years, as a Little League coach.

He was a lifelong member of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Burlington, Vt. and more recently of St. John Vianney Parish Church in South Burlington, Vt.

A loyal Yankee fan, Hank loved taking his family to Fenway Park for their games with the Boston Red Sox. He cherished his summers at the family's camp on Spaulding's West Shore, and was famous for his excellent barbecued chicken, Michigans, grilled chuck steaks, gallettes, and fried perch. He was never happier than when he was cooking for a boisterous houseful of friends and family.

In later years, Pat and Hank enjoyed many winter trips to Florida, where they made numerous new friends and acquaintances and rediscovered some old ones.

He was predeceased by his parents; his father Charles Stannard on April 1st 1944 and his mother Agnes Stannard on July 3rd 1966, 12 siblings including; Agnes Josephine (Stannard) Moody on March 5th 1933, Carrie (Stannard) Burdette on March 8th 1920, Peter Henry Stannard on July 25th 1970, Augustus "Gus" Thomas Stannard on May 11th 1990, John P. Stannard Sr. on January 8th 2000, Harold W. Stannard on December 21st 1978, Margaret Mary (Stannard) Thomas, and Geraldine Madiline (Stannard) Hendy on December 11th 1995.

Arrangements by the LaVigne Funeral Home on 132 Main Street in Winooski, Vt.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 5th 2012 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church on 165 Hinesburg Road in South Burlington.

Interment at the Resurrection Park Cemetery in South Burlington, Vt.