In Memoriam: Judge Reginald Stanton

Former Judge Reginald Stanton passed away peacefully at his home in Morristown on July 14, 2016, surrounded by family at the age of 83.

Judge Stanton served in the New Jersey court system for nearly 30 years. He was first appointed to the bench of the Superior Court of New Jersey in 1975 and became Assignment Judge of Morris and Sussex Counties in 1985. He served in that role until his constitutionally mandated retirement at the age of 70 in 2003. Judge Stanton joined the firm in our Florham Park, New Jersey office in 2003 following his retirement from the bench. He served as Counsel until he retired from the firm in 2008.

Judge Stanton earned his B.A. from Saint Peter’s College, was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, and received his J.D. from New York University School of Law where he was a Root-Tilden Scholar.

He was one of New Jersey’s most respected and revered judges. Managing Partner Andrew B. Joseph said, “Over the course of many years, Judge Stanton earned a reputation as an outstanding jurist, an excellent practitioner and an even better person. A true gentlemen and a scholar, Judge Stanton personified the best attributes of the legal profession. Drinker Biddle was fortunate to have the great privilege of being able to work with Judge Stanton on a daily basis for several years after he retired from the bench. The firm, and the New Jersey legal community, has lost one of its finest members and he will be missed by all.”

Judge Stanton is survived by his wife of 51 years, Marie (Gerne) Stanton; two children, Reginald G. Stanton and Catherine Stanton Flanagan and her husband, Larkin Stepan Flanagan; and six grandchildren, Caitlin Flanagan, Larkin Flanagan, Kelly Flanagan, Perpetua Stanton, Conor Flanagan, and Seton Stanton. He was predeceased by his daughter-in-law Eileen Smith.

A funeral mass has been scheduled for 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 21 at St. Margaret of Scotland Church, 6 Sussex Ave., Morristown. A viewing will take place from 3 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 20 at Doyle’s Funeral Home, 106 Maple Ave., Morristown. In lieu of flowers, mourners are encouraged to make a donation to St. Margaret’s Church.

Click here to view Judge Stanton’s Obituary. You can also read more about his legacy here.