MICHAEL STANLEY

1932 - 2024

STANLEY--Michael C. "Mike," died on August 1, 2024, in his home on Dublin Lake, NH, surrounded by family. Mike remained engaged until the end; reciting poetry, singing and watching hummingbirds. Mike adored nature and lived life with passion and mis- chief. Born in Glen Cove, Long Island on August 15, 1932, to Margaret Schniewind and Julian Carr Stanley, Mike attended Hotchkiss School and Yale University, graduating in 1954, as captain of the track team. In 1961, he married Georgie Wilmerding (died 2003). They had three children, Bredt (Ketchum, ID); Georgie (Jackson, WY); and Benjamin (Bozeman, MT) and lived in Far Hills, NJ. Mike was a pioneer of kayaking as a sport. He served in the Air Force Reserves, leaving as a Captain. He then worked on Wall Street. At 55, Mike became an Outward Bound instructor. He served on the boards of the Hurricane Island and Philadelphia schools and the Outward Bound USA advisory board. In 2017, Mike received the Outward Bound USA Service Award and in 2023, the Distinguished Service Oar Award. In 2003, He founded the New Jersey Youth Leadership Corps awarding scholarships to 24 high schoolers each summer. In 2006, he married Sue Scott and lived with Sue and his stepson Chase Squier in New York City and New Hampshire. Mike was a poet, publishing three chapbooks. His style was wry and tender. He rarely showed up to a gathering without a poem. One of his favorite sayings was, "what you send out comes back." Mike is also survived by three grandchildren: Georgie and Beo Charette (Jackson, WY) and Rowen Stanley (Bozeman, MT). A celebration of Mike's life will be held on August 2, 2025 at Dublin Lake, NH.