Beloved Geraldton community figure and writer Stan Maley dies aged 83

Beloved Mid West community member Stan Maley has died aged 83 after a battle with cancer.

Mr Maley’s daughter, Terri Chant, confirmed he died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday morning.

“He’ll be very missed by his seven children,” she said.

“He was a wonderful father and grandfather and contributed to his community.

“We’re grateful to have had him.”

Mr Maley, a long-term contributor to the Midwest Times where he wrote a gardening column, had been battling brain and liver cancer for the past year and had been in palliative care in Geraldton.

An avid gardener, Mr Maley created a plan to turn the city’s Maitland Park into a botanical garden, inspiring the Friends of Geraldton Gardens community group.

Tributes from the community were posted across social media.

“I am sure the gardens above us will enjoy having you there,” mayor Shane Van Styn wrote.

“I was saddened to hear yesterday of the passing of Stan Maley, a true friend to our community and to gardens in Geraldton and the Mid West,” member for Geraldton Lara Dalton posted.

Funeral arrangements are being finalised.