David L. Stanley

The Villages, Fla. – Retired Waltham Police Detective Sergeant David L. Stanley died at home on Thursday, October 11, 2018. He was 69.

Dave was born in Waltham on June 19, 1949, the oldest of three sons born to the late Lawrence and Ann (Tebbetts) Stanley. He was a graduate of Waltham High and earned an associate's degree from Northeastern University in Boston.

He joined the United States Army out of high school and after basic training was sent to Vietnam where he served for thirteen months. In addition to other decorations he received Dave was twice awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat and despite being held captive by the enemy for a period of days and escaping he remained in country with his fellow soldiers until his tour of duty ended.

In April, 1977 he was appointed a patrolman on the Waltham Police Department where he enjoyed a distinguished twenty-five year career. He was assigned to the patrol division, detectives and drug unit and retired as a detective sergeant in October, 2002.

Following a move to The Villages in Florida Dave became an avid golfer and a skilled bowler. He enjoyed time spent with his 'Florida gang' and the role that he played being 'Grandpa Dave'.

He had been a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Waltham and in Florida.

His wife, Karen M. (Hoyt) Stanley died July 16, 2017.

Dave leaves his step-children, Dawn O'Neill and her husband, Edward, of Littleton, Kimberly Strafford and her husband Daniel of Waltham and Kevin Conzo and his wife, Krista, of Corvallis, Oregon; his step-grandchildren, Emma and Keith O'Neill, Nora, Maeve and Aelish Strafford and Grace Conzo; his brother Douglas Stanley and his wife, Janet Cumming, of Chelmsford; his nephews, Michael Stanley, Nicholas Creighton and John Stanley and their families.

He was also a brother of the late Dean Stanley and Deborah Stanley and 'Grandpa Dave' to the late Zachary Conzo.

Family and friends will honor and remember Dave's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Sunday, October 21st from 4 to 7 p.m. and again on Monday morning when his funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to the PFC John M. Sullivan USMC VFW Post No. 10334, 623 Trapelo Road, Waltham, MA 02452.