Stanley T. Ponciroli
April 20, 1943 – January 22, 2025
Stanley “Stan” Ponciroli passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in Saint Louis, MO.
Stan opened Melrose Tavern in 1994 and was truly at home while holding court day in and day out at this beloved tavern on ‘The Hill’. During his 25 years of owning and operating Melrose Tavern, Stan touched countless lives as, in addition to offering up a cold beer, Stan was ever ready to provide a listening ear, heartfelt advice, a history lesson, and, or some tough love. Stan cared deeply for his Melrose brethren, which included countless childhood friends and newer friends alike.
Outside of his calling at Melrose, Stan enjoyed a variety of hobbies including drawing (at which he was quite gifted), gardening, taking beach vacations and of course, breaking bread with his friends and family.
Stan was a loving and devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, great uncle and friend.
Stan was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Blanche, nee Macieiski) Ponciroli.
Surviving are his loving wife, Patricia “Pat”, nee Lyeki, Ponciroli; son, Kevin Houser of St. Louis, MO; daughter, Christine (Steven) Connolly of Belleville, IL; grandchildren Cooper Isaak, Kathleen Connolly and Ryan Connolly of Belleville, IL; brother Charlie (Pat) Ponciroli of St. Louis, MO; and nephews Charlie, Michael (Anisa) and Albert (Shawna) Ponciroli.
In lieu of flowers, tributes may be made to: winteroperastl.org or siteman.wustl.edu
CELEBRATION OF LIFE: Saturday, February 1, 2025 at Michel Funeral Home 5930 Southwest Avenue, St. Louis, Mo 63139 from 2 p.m.-6 p.m. with funeral services beginning at 5 p.m.
ARRANGEMENTS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF MICHEL FUNERAL HOME
Kevin, Pat, Christine an the Ponciroli family
My sympathy an deep condolences to your family.
Christine,
Our thoughts and prayers with you and all your family.
Stan was a good man. I loved going to Melrose after working at Cunetto’s to drink with my co workers and other restaurants workers on the Hill.
I went to Melrose’s pretty much the 25 years they were open. Everyone that patronize. Melrose knew each other in one way or another.
I was sad when Melrose closed. It was the place to go to meet friends and he had best drinks in the neighborhood.
Since Melrose closed, I miss Golden Tee, the jukebox , the washer tournament’s, the bocce tournaments, and Stan’s famous Italian sausages with peppers and onions, but most all I will miss Stan.
Pat, my prayers go out to you and your family. May Stan rest in peace.✝️☮️
Stanley was one of my favorite bartenders ever. Loved my conversations about Cardinals baseball history and his love for his family , neighborhood and the “Mel rose gang “ was worth every second . He will truly be missed . Condolences to his family and friends that he truly touched . I will always remember my family and the time I got to spend with them . RIP STANLEY , LOVE YA
So sorry for your loss from Lou Grimi and family
I have know Stan my entire life.He was truley a wonderful person.Pat my deepest condolences for you and your familey.He will be missed.
Pat & family,
Condolences to all of you. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
I am one of the lucky people that to know Stan many years ago when I tended bar at Milos. He would stop in after work from Rigazzis. His sense of humor and kindness always brighten my day. When he and Pat opened Melrose that was the place to be. So many of the friends I have today came together there. We have Stan and Pat to thank for that, where would we all be without Melrose. I cherish the friends I made at Melrose, those that are gone and those still with us, wonderful memories to hold on to. So, Godspeed Stan, say hello to the gang up in heaven. I miss you already,RIP.
I’m so sorry for your loss🙏Stan was a good friend to me is so many ways. I’ll miss him terribly. Prayers to all the family & friends 🙏
Always in my heart and memories.
Every day I worked with Stan was a day with laughter