Stanley Boorstein

Stanley J. Boorstein (Stan), age 90, passed away on June 14, 2026 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Stroudsburg, PA.   He was born March 1, 1936 in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Aaron Boorstein and Celia Bress. Stanley was buried in accordance with the rituals of his Jewish faith.

Stan graduated from East Stroudsburg High School in 1954. He loved sports and was as a great football player.  In 1953 he was instrumental in leading the East Stroudsburg Cavaliers to 16 – 7 victory over Stroudsburg. Surprisingly, East Stroudsburg was thought to be the underdog going into that game.  Stan was named Outstanding Player and was awarded tickets to the Army Navy football game in November 1953. He was student manager of the basketball team in 11th grade and of the baseball team in 10th grade.  He continued playing various sports in leagues after graduation.

In his early years, and when not involved with sports, Stan could be found in a barn behind the Lackawanna Hotel tending to horses belonging to Tom Heller.  The horses were taken to Vacation Valley in the summer, and Stan could be found there as well riding and tending to the horses.

People loved to hear Stan play his Boom-Ba, a traditional percussion instrument. He could really liven up a crowd. He had his own set and kept them on display in the bar of the Lackawanna Hotel.

Stan was a well-known local businessman who owned and operated the Lackawanna Hotel in East Stroudsburg, keeping it in the family for 98 years.  His grandfather, Nathan Bress, purchased the Lackawanna House in 1922, and the business was eventually passed onto Stan.

Stan loved people and his role as an owner/operator of the Lackawanna Hotel helped him to meet many people from all walks of life. And people loved him back because he showed genuine interest in everyone he met.  Even during his final hospital stay, while he was able, he was asking new people who entered his room: What is your name? Are you married? Do you have children? Where do you live?   These are the questions that opened the door to him making many lifelong friends and acquaintances. We all could learn something from Stan.

Charity was a way of life for Stan.  He provided financial assistance to many local people when they wished to open a business or pursue their dreams.  He also looked after the homeless. He held an annual Christmas party for his patrons and gave leftovers to the homeless.  It was not unusual for him, during harsh winter nights, to provide homeless people a warm place to sleep. One time Stan provided clothes and bus tickets to Florida for certain people to avoid the cold winter months. During the aftermath of the 1955 flood, he opened the 3rd floor of his family’s hotel as temporary housing for those who lost their homes.

Stan is survived by his high school sweetheart and loving significant other of the past 23 years, Gertrude Safin.

In honor of Stan’s legacy of generosity and kindness, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org or charity of your choice.