Raquelle

In Memorium x Stano Spina
One of Manitoba Opera’s biggest fans
and passionate supporters, Stano Spina,
passed away on February 9 at St.
Boniface Hospital after a long,
hard-fought battle with liver disease.
Stano had a deep love for opera and for
Manitoba Opera. He had been involved with
the company, serving in many capacities,
since 1972. He appeared in 55 operas as a
supernumerary (extra), served on the Board
of Directors, served on the Guild as president
for two years, was a member of the Auxiliary,
and chaired many fundraisers. In recent
seasons, he assisted with the operation of
the Boutique.
River Heights residents will also recognize
Stano as the owner of Stano’s Coiffures,
which he operated on Academy Road for
50 years.
Besides Manitoba Opera, he also gave of his
time to the Khartum Shrine, Vintage Cars,
played drums in the Pipes and Drums, and
was a member of the
Order of the Eastern Star
working his way
up to many senior levels
in the organization.
Numerous plays produced
as fundraisers over the
years were also written,
directed and produced
by Stano.
Stano as a super in
Cavalleria Rusticana/
I Pagliacci, 1984
Born in southern Italy in 1943, Stano
immigrated to Canada in 1960 with his
parents and brother, coming to Winnipeg
where they already had some family.
“Stano was one of the first volunteers I met
upon coming to Manitoba Opera in 2000,”
comments Darlene Ronald, Director of
Marketing. “I will forever remember his
enthusiasm for the art form, his concern that
the company continue to be a bright spot
in our community, and his commitment to
giving back. He was an inspiration and
will be greatly missed.”