Stanley was born in Los Angeles, California, to Eustace and Vera McGrorty. After graduating from high school, He served in the U.S. Army, including a tour of duty in Vietnam. One of the posts Stanley served at was Fort Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska 1967. After being honorably discharged from the U.S. Army at Fort Richardson, he returned to Los Angeles.

Having developed a love for Alaska, he returned a short time later and made his home in Anchorage. Stanley met Patricia Poole, whom he married October 10, 1970 in Fairfield, California. They lived in Anchorage, Alaska for six years, and during this time they were blessed with the birth of their daughter Dawn in 1971 and son Sean in 1974. Stanley also earned his bachelor of arts in geology at the University of Alaska Anchorage. While in Anchorage, he worked at Union Oil Asphalt Plant and later became the company's sales representative for Anchorage and most plants north. The McGrortys moved to Homer, Alaska with their two children, Dawn and Sean, in 1976. He owned and operated Quicky Mart in Homer. At the time of his death, he was in Anchorage working on the state's task force for revising and updating the Alaska rules and regulations on charitable gaming.

Stanley was the Commander of the Army National Guard, in Homer, and active in American Legion Post 16. He was a strong supporter of American Legion Baseball and other youth programs. His family called him "the volunteer of volunteers." He helped revive the American Legion baseball program and girls fast-pitch softball in Homer. He started Ducks Unlimited in Homer in the early 1980s and was the Alaska state chairman and a recipient of the Trustee Emeritus award. He loved hunting and fishing, American Legion baseball and volunteering his time and energy to many activities and organizations in Homer and Alaska. Stanley will be missed by all that have known him.