Reverend Dr. Stanley A. Holbrook June 4, 1956 ~ December 17, 2020 (64) Reverend Dr. Stanley Alan Holbrook born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania June 4, 1956 to Stanley Junius Holbrook and the late June Carol Holbrook was called to his eternal home Thursday, December 17, 2020.  As a kidney transplant recipient of approximately 20 years, God called Stanley to transition peacefully to receive his heavenly crown. Stanley grew up in the Lincoln-Lemington area where he graduated from Lemington Elementary School in 1970 and earned his Diploma from Peabody High School in 1974.  Stanley loved sports; he was on the Little League softball team and he played football at Peabody High School.  Following High School, Stanley attended Marquette University.  It was at Marquette that Stanley would cross over with Omega Psi Phi in 1977 and later become known as “Most Dog” while also demonstrating his gift of leadership.  Stanley developed a passion for music during his high school years and later refined this skill as a disk jockey (DJ) while attending Marquette University.  He wrote songs for his line and appeared in fraternity step shows. Stanley always embraced opportunities as they became available.  His became a consultant for Abt Associates early in his career and later developed and directed what is now known as the Healthy Start Program for the residents of Northview Heights.  As his leadership skills continued to grow, the Lord called Stanley into the housing ministry.  Stanley graduated in 1996 from Geneva College with a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management.  Using those skills, he went on to develop contracts for housing authority organizations and serve as an advocate for the community to ensure active participation among housing residents.  Stanley served organizations such as Westgate Village Resident Council, Northview Heights Citizens Council, Bedford Dwellings Tenant Council, Aliquippa Terrace Resident Council, Housing Authority of City of Pittsburgh, and Hazelton Citizens Council for over 15 years and continued to serve the 501 c3 organization, Western Penn Hills Community Action up to his passing. His consulting career propelled his gift of leadership.  Stanley went on to develop expertise in nonprofit leadership, strategic planning, program development, contract compliance, proposals and grants, budget preparation and analysis, organizational change, talent acquisition and retention, leadership development, and community capacity building.  During this time, he also went on to graduate with a Master of Business Administration at Point Park College in 2000, Master of Public Management at Heinz School, Carnegie Mellon University in 2006, Master of Theological Studies at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 2011, and a Doctorate in Transformational Leadership from Bakke Graduate University in 2015. While pursuing his educational endeavors, Stanley served as the Assistant Executive Director for Three Rivers Center for Independent Living (TRCIL) from 2001 – 2004 then promoted to President and CEO of TRCIL from 2004 – 2014.  Stanley transitioned to consulting for the Independent Living Community in 2014 up through his passing.  His most recent work was with the Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU) in the Disability, Diversity, and Intersectionality Project so that Centers for Independent Living (CILs) would be inclusive of all individuals with disabilities.  In 2015, Stanley expanded his desire to strengthen the community by serving as the Executive Director for the Larimer Consensus Group (LCG).  Concurrently, he continued pursing his calling in ministry as well.  He served in various ministries at his home church, First Baptist Church of Penn Hills such as the music ministry, men’s step team, trustee, finance team, men’s fellowship, adult Sunday school, and leadership training.  Stanley received his certificate of license as a gospel minister August 2007 and was active in the ministry.  He was later ordained as a Reverend in the ministry by James Emory Hunt, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Penn Hills. Stanley met the love of his life in 1999, Dr. Michelle Champion at First Baptist Church of Penn Hills.  It was simply a match made from heaven.  Stanley and Michelle married October 30, 1999 and became best friends during the 21 years they were together.  One year later with the help of his daughter’s prayers, Stanlee Holbrook, he received a kidney transplant no longer requiring dialysis.  Pursuing the sports that he loved, basketball and softball, following his transplant, Stanley participated in the U.S. Transplant Games for approximately 5 years.  He had a special love for the youth, serving as a mentor for The Amache Program with the Pittsburgh Leadership Foundation and he also served on the board of the Youth Investment Program (YIP) with Pastor Michael Thomas, Sr for six years. He continued in ministry by developing The Workplace Ministry to teach others how share the love of Christ in the workplace.  The Workplace Ministry was created to support Christians to serve as true ambassadors of Christ in the workplace.  Stanley provided listeners another perspective of work—the opportunity to display moral excellence, faith in God and as an assignment from God to spread the gospel and touch human lives.  The “Workplace Minute” aired daily on WORD FM from 2011 to 2014.  Confronted with another opportunity, Stanley transitioned into the world of finance where he worked as a licensed insurance agent with New York Life until his passing. Stanley has received awards over the life of his career in the housing industry, consulting, independent living community and in ministry.  He served on numerous boards such as the National Council of Independent Living and the Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council in 2004, Family Guidance, Western Penn Hills Community Action from 1999 to just recently and was named Delegate to the President’s White House Conference on Aging in 2005.  He was the executive director for the President of the Pennsylvania Council for Independent Living and served as the past president as well.  Stanley received the “Men of Excellence” award in 2012. Stanley enjoyed music, sports and spending time with his family, church family, fraternity brothers, musicians and friends.  He sang in multiple choirs and recorded eight songs over the years.  He loved God and always kept faith in God.  Emulating Christ, Stanley was kind, considerate, and compassionate to those around him.  A man of great faith, he knew when to speak with just the right words. Stanley Holbrook is survived by his wife Dr. Michelle Champion-Holbrook, family and friends.  Stanley is preceded in death by Stanlee Allyn Holbrook (daughter), June Carol Holbrook (mother), Kenneth Robert Holbrook (brother). The viewing will be held Saturday December 26^th, 2020 from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. at First Church of God in Christ, 700 Talbot Avenue, Braddock, Pennsylvania 15104. The family is adhering to the governor’s guidelines pertaining to minimizing the spread of COVID-19.  All guests must wear a mask and practice social distancing, remaining six feet apart at all times. A private funeral service will be held for the immediate family. However, family and friends are invited to view his service virtually on December 26 and December 27^th, 2020 at 11:00 a.m.  The service can also be viewed on You Tube. The service will be live-streamed the day of and the day after the funeral.  There are 3 different ways to watch the funeral services of Stanley Holbrook.  

1. To watch online visit grievefromhome.com
2. On Facebook or Facebook WatchApp. Search Grieve From Home Services and it will be there.
3. On YouTube search: The Funeral of Stanley Holbrook and it will be there.  The You Tube video will remain on You Tube.

Please note that all broadcasts start 1 hour before the funeral. Flowers can be sent the morning of the funeral to:  First Church of God in Christ, 700 Talbot Avenue, Braddock, Pennsylvania 15104.  Condolences and comfort cards can be sent to:  Rose Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 10940 Frankstown Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15235.  Email address: Brose@rosefuneralhomeinc.com.  A memorial service to celebrate his life will be announced at a later date.