Gardner Raymond Conley

October 30, 2013
Gardner Raymond Conley, 89, passed away on October 30, 2013, at Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, following a lengthy illness. Born in Danvers on March 11, 1924, he was the son of the late Harry L. and Alice (Eaton) Conley, the youngest in a family of 11. Gardner was a lifelong resident of Danvers and was educated in the Danvers school system. He had been employed making munitions at the United Shoe Machine Company in Beverly prior to joining the United States Army. He saw action in the European theater during World War II, earning a Purple Heart during fighting in Belgium. Following his honorable discharge, he worked again briefly at USMC, before embarking on what was to be his life’s calling, a career as police officer with the Danvers Police Department. Like many junior officers, Gardner walked a night shift beat before being promoted to the day shift. His affable personality led to the position for which he was best known, Safety Officer in the Danvers school system. Known to generations of Danvers children, he instructed the younger ones on good safety practices, while the older ones learned about safe driving and the dangers of substance abuse. More importantly, he was the face of the police department to kids, interacting with them as a caring and trustworthy authority figure during an impressionable time in their lives. His peers also respected him in this capacity, electing him as president of the Mass. Safety Officer League. His sons related that, “He had a good sense of humor and had the gift of gab, and enjoyed teaching; the job was a nice fit for him.” When he finished his 30-year career as Safety Officer, the goodwill and popularity of the veteran officer was put to good use at the Danvers Savings Bank, with a part-time job as courier, which he kept for 10 years. In his spare time, Gardner enjoyed exploring the natural world, first with his family, swimming, hiking and water-skiing at various camps he owned over the years in Southern Maine and New Hampshire. Later in life, he went on longer trips around the country with his RV camper, never visiting the same place twice. When not on the road, Gardner was handy around the house, being mechanically inclined and showing a knack for woodworking, creating furniture and doing his own home repairs. He enjoyed a good movie, particularly the John Wayne action films. He was also a member of the Amity-Mosaic Lodge A.F. & A.M. in Danvers. Gardner leaves two sons: Gardner R. Conley Jr. and his wife Paula (Rieth) of Phippsburg, Me.; as well as Bruce A. Conley of Danvers; also, three grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. He was predeceased by two wives, Doris (George) Conley and Mary (Jankowski) (Sagan) Conley. Visiting hours are from 4-7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4 at C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Gardner’s name to the Hospice of the North Shore, 75 Sylvan St. Danvers, MA, 01923.
Like a hurtling freight train, images rush through my mind. Tenting atop N. Pack. Ice skating. Janet’s piano playing (some fast tune with “cat” in the title.) Horse shoes. The muzzle loader – breech loader spring swap. Beginning chess. “Baby Bruce.” Ray’s surgery that a criminal caused. A visit to Paula and “Gardy” in Milford, N.H. The wall tent near Gil, Jr.’s current cabin. The cabin Ray and Doris refurbished across the road. Ray’s helping my father with our back platform. Quick glimpses of other images spinning through my brain like fruit in a blender. I hope and suspect we shall all meet again one day at Grandma George’s well.