PEABODY - David Standley, died peacefully at home on December 11th, 2024, at the age of 95.

David spent the first 49 years of his long life in Beverly, where he and wife Muriel raised their four children. After four years in Denver working for the US EPA, they lived in Ipswich for many years, and eventually Brooksby Village in Peabody. Dave was a graduate of Tufts College and Harvard Graduate School of Public Health with degrees in civil engineering and public health, a former naval officer, and had a long career in environmental management. His passion for environmental protection showed in his career and his volunteer activities throughout his life. He managed environmental agencies and programs for the City of Boston, the Massachusetts DEP, where he served as Commissioner, and the US EPA.

After leaving government service, he spent nearly 2 decades as consultant to the City of Quincy on the Boston Harbor Project; as well as the Logan Airport Community Advisory Committee. He served as member and chair of several Ipswich committees notably its Conservation Commission, and was the moving force behind the 2000 Ipswich Open Space, Recreation and Water Supply Protection bond authorization. He is honored by the MACC's David Standley Fund for Stormwater, Climate Change and Sea Level Rise. He was also an active member of the Trustee's Crane Reservation committee and the Ipswich River Watershed Association. At Brooksby Village he was active on the Resident Advisory Committee, Friends of the Ponds, and Climate Change Committee. Dave was also passionate about sailing, on water or ice. He grew up sailing, and owned a series of sailboats based in Beverly Harbor and later Bucks' Harbor, Maine, where he and family enjoyed long cruises among the islands of Penobscot Bay. He celebrated his 80th birthday at the helm of a 12-meter sailboat in Newport, R.I.

Predeceased in April by Muriel, his wife of 72 years, David leaves his four children and their spouses: Lisa, Scott, Dana and Camille, and Neal and Linda, two grandchildren and their spouses: Jacob and Mikayla Standley, Julianne and Dallas Donovan, and his beloved great-grandchildren.

ARRANGEMENTS: A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Please consider contributions in his memory to the Ipswich River Watershed Association. Assisting the family with the arrangements is O'Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 167 Maple St., (Rte. 62) DANVERS. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.