| First and foremost shalom to Stan's lovely wife | | | | wonderful contributions to the world of |
| Karen, his beloved son Matt and beloved daughter | | | | entertainment. James began to read numerous |
| Debbie who I had the pleasure of meeting in 1977 | | | | comments from stories he had printed off the |
| during my first wild adventure with Stan The Man on | | | | Internet, how touching it was to hear the emotional |
| the Universal feature, "The Wiz" directed by Sidney | | | | words of those people who observed Stan and his |
| Lumet, starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, and | | | | creations from the many movie theaters and industry |
| Nipsey Russell. | | | | periodicals. Stan's contributions were far reaching and |
| Hollywood is full of stories both in front of the | | | | these stories were testimonial to that fact. Wow, I |
| camera and behind. This article is just one of many | | | | was blown away!!! The audience will surely miss Stan |
| that illustrates the unique and unforgettable essence | | | | and his creative genius. |
| of a special Hollywood icon, Stan Winston, may you | | | | As the service continued I would never forget the |
| always rest in peace, as we never forget the ties | | | | final words of Stan's son Matt as he shared the last |
| that bind. | | | | hour of Stan's life. How Stan struggled to breathe |
| While attending Stan's funeral and reception, I was | | | | even though a special masked had been stretched |
| overwhelmed by the incredible love that filled the air | | | | over his nose and mouth forcing his lungs to function. |
| for this unique man. The mood was deep and the | | | | How Stan's eyes remained closed while he squeezed |
| stories brought laughter and sorrow. How blessed I | | | | the hands of his loved ones in reply to their |
| felt as I listened intently to the warm and choking | | | | comments. And then as the moment of departure |
| words of our industry friends Steven Spielberg, | | | | arrived, Stan opened his eyes looking upwards |
| Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Cameron, and Tom | | | | toward heaven as the words of the Beatles played in |
| Arnold. Their words captivated my heart, mind and | | | | the background "Once there was a way to get back |
| soul as I traveled back in time and back to the | | | | homeward...Once there was a way to get back |
| present reminiscing all the special and unique moments | | | | home, sleep pretty darling do not cry and I will sing a |
| with Stan - The clown, the businessman, the artist, | | | | lullaby". A miracle indeed as these words filled the air |
| the family man, the friend. | | | | upon the departure of our loving and creative friend |
| Steven Spielberg recalled a touching story of his | | | | Stan Winston. |
| childhood where his father surprised him with his first | | | | Listen to this song: ( Golden Slumbers- Abby Road |
| Schwinn bicycle and how he was reminded of this | | | | Album) |
| touching and overwhelming event during the | | | | Unfortunately I missed the words of Tom Arnold at |
| pre-production of Jurassic Park. During one of the | | | | the reception but I did have the pleasure to observe |
| many visits to Stan's FX Studio, Steven was asked | | | | the reaction of the crowd moments after he finished |
| by Stan to follow him, unbeknowst to Steven, Stan | | | | his speech - The many tears being wiped from the |
| was about to reveal the completed Tyrannosaurs | | | | eyes of the those that heard revealed the depth of |
| Rex. | | | | the message as they struggled to keep a smile on |
| Stan asked Steven to keep his head down as Stan | | | | their face from the serious but humorous delivery of |
| positioned him for this exhilarating reveal. Upon lifting | | | | Tom. For a moment, I found myself looking into the |
| his head, Steven was filled with excitement and a | | | | sorrowful eyes of David Gersh as he struggled to |
| moment of wild terror as he gazed upon the | | | | compose his feelings through flowing tears. A day I |
| immense 35' prehistoric beast. | | | | will never forget for as long as I live. |
| As the story of this event continued Steven | | | | And in closing, my story about Stan... |
| commended Stan on his many wonderful | | | | I must thank Stan for changing the direction of my |
| contributions to the industry and how the passing of | | | | career and shedding his unique glory upon my life. It |
| Stan marked the passing of hand made monsters as | | | | was 1977 and I was working on the Tonight Show |
| the industry now heads towards computer | | | | when a man appeared in the makeup room, I asked |
| generated digital creations. | | | | my associates who this man was and they said it |
| Arnold Schwarzenegger lifted the heavy mood to a | | | | was Stan Winston. I had heard of Stan through my |
| place of warm laughter as he recalled the many | | | | association with Tom Burman and John Chambers but |
| antics of Stan. Stan loved his toys and always | | | | never had the pleasure of meeting him until this life |
| enjoyed out doing his friends with a smile and a | | | | changing day. Before I knew it, Harry Blake, |
| chuckle. Arnold spoke of a time where he invited | | | | department head of NBC makeup called me over and |
| Stan to see his new humidor that held approximately | | | | introduced me to Stan, telling me Stan needed me |
| 750 cigars, well it wasn't to long before Stan invited | | | | for a few weeks to work with him on a new feature |
| Arnold to his office to share his new humidor that | | | | film titled, "The Wiz" filming at Universal. I was floored |
| held 1500 cigars. Arnold then shared another | | | | to say the least and I was puzzled at the same time. |
| humorous motorcycle story about how he and James | | | | How was Stan going to pull this off since I was not |
| Cameron showed up one day at Stan's with their | | | | yet union qualified to work in film? Harry said, "Stan |
| motorcycle engines completely chromed. | | | | has taken care of everything and the union has |
| Well wouldn't you know it, it wasn't to long before | | | | agreed to your hire." Apparently all the other makeup |
| Stan showed up with his motorcycle that was | | | | artists skilled at FX makeup were working and I was |
| completely chromed. And if that wasn't enough, | | | | the only one who possessed the necessary skills |
| Arnold and James decided to purchase their own | | | | outside the union film arena. |
| unique Hummers, James bought the military style and | | | | As Stan and I walked down the hall between stages |
| Arnold the big black one. In just a few weeks, Stan | | | | one and three, Stan said these words, "I didn't have |
| drove up with his Hummer that was covered with a | | | | the heart to tell Harry, but I actually need you for 10 |
| plethora of lights and all the fancy trimmings. | | | | months", and the rest was history. |
| James Cameron slowly moved toward the podium to | | | | Thank you Stan The Man, I will never forget you as |
| express his warm memories of Stan. James shared a | | | | I place one shovel full of dirt onto your final resting |
| few touching stories through moments of emotional | | | | place. Please talk to the union in heaven and reserve |
| delay and then proceeded to direct the attention to | | | | a place for me so we can continue when I arrive. We |
| the many fans that appreciated Stan and his | | | | all love you and you will be dearly missed. |