Edgar E. Standring

The family of Edgar “Ed” Standring, of Bedford, New Hampshire, is heartbroken to share that Ed passed away shortly after midnight on Wednesday, May 11 at the age of 91. He was a doting son, loyal husband, and devout father as well as a cherished grandfather, uncle and friend whose signature class, optimism and humor remained strong and intact until the very end.

Born on St. Patrick’s Day in Fall River, Massachusetts, Ed came of age with the twentieth century and, through sheer hard work and intellect, achieved his own version of the “American Dream.” Growing up in Swansea, Ed was a consummate “All State” athlete who charmed his classmates at Dighton High School with his warm demeanor, sharp wit and boyish good looks. As a devoted son, Ed took on a variety of odd jobs as a teenager to help support his mother, fueled by his remarkable work ethic and immense love for his family.

As fate would have it, one of these jobs – a lab assistant position – would serve as the foundation for a luminous decades-long career in industrial chemicals. Always an affable and skilled communicator, Ed worked his way out of the laboratory and into the world of sales by joining American Cyanamid, where he gained both widespread recognition and the company’s top sales honor, The Golden Oval. During this time, Ed’s stellar performance and leadership skills landed him a spot in Harvard Business School’s prestigious Advanced Management Program, an impressive feat for someone who never attended an undergraduate program.

Equipped with this Ivy League education, Ed broke into the world of upper management at American Cyanamid, starting as a regional sales manager before being promoted to department manager and, subsequently, the vice president (and eventual president) of American Cyanamid’s Industrial Products division in Wayne, New Jersey. As division president, Ed oversaw the development and sale of cutting-edge chemical solutions and products. Over the span of his career, he was afforded the opportunity to travel the country and the world on business, visiting such exotic locations as France, Japan and Australia.

In spite of all his business success, Ed's main focus was always on his family and supporting his wife and three children in Ringwood, New Jersey. He was a devoted father, and always made time for his children by attending important sporting and school events, lending a hand with school projects, and playing games of tag in the yard. Annual family vacations to Maine and Florida provided great memories for all. As a father, Ed always supported his children with unconditional love, great advice, positivity and lots of laughs.

In 1987, Ed stepped away from his career and entered retirement at the age of 55. As a retiree, Ed enjoyed splitting his time between his home on Lake Winnipesaukee and his condo in Palm Harbor, Florida and playing long, frequent games of golf, even scoring two hole-in-ones. Freed from the demands of work, Ed was delighted to have more time to spend with his children in retirement and always enjoyed taking them out on his boat, going out for ice cream on warm, summer nights (or anytime, really) and playing spirited rounds of favorite board games.   

With the dawn of the 1990s, Ed took on his favorite title of all: grandfather (or, as he colloquially became known to his grandkids, “Poppy,” or “Pop,” for short). As a grandfather, Ed could always be counted on to jump into the center of the action, whether that meant pushing swings on a swing set, playing blocks on the floor, going for a dip in the lake or pool, rinsing off sandy feet from the beach or administering minor first aid. He was thrilled to play an active role in his grandchildren’s lives and delighted in getting to cheer them on at recitals, sporting events and academic ceremonies. He was even more ecstatic to have the chance to witness his grandkids grow into outstanding adults themselves and always relished any opportunity to spend quality time with them or lend a helping hand. 

After relocating to Bedford ten years ago, Ed came to enjoy even more frequent family dinners, weekly breakfast outings with his newfound buddies and occasional visits to nearby alpaca farms. Ever the go-getter, he sought to fill his days with mental and physical activities, including working out at the gym, assisting with his homeowners association’s financials and voraciously reading both fast-paced mystery-thriller novels and dense volumes of American history.

A man of enormous gratitude and humility, Ed never ceased to find the pleasure in the simple things of life, like a cold beer on a sunny day or a tasty homecooked meal, and inspired everyone who knew him with his warmth, positivity and generosity. Although he will be missed tremendously, his legacy and memory will forever live on in the hearts of his friends and family.

Ed was predeceased by his beloved mother, Catherine Waterhouse Standring. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Standring of Bedford, NH, their three children, Elizabeth Hagerty of Middletown, NY, Patricia Standring and husband Brian Buhler of Litchfield, NH, and Peter Standring and partner Laura Greene of South Harting, England; along with his six grandchildren, Meghan, Christopher, Kevin, Molly, Seren and Rowan.

Per Ed’s final wishes, funeral services will not be held. Instead, his remains will be cremated and transported to Dighton, Massachusetts, where they will be interned next to those of his late mother and father. His family intends to celebrate his life and memory with a memorial event this summer. If you are interested in attending, please sign up here for details.

In lieu of flowers, his family asks that memorial contributions be made in his memory to either the American Heart Association or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital – two causes that were dear to Ed's heart.

On behalf of Ed, his family would like to offer heartfelt thanks to the tireless nurses and staff at Catholic Medical Center and the Bedford Nursing and Rehabilitation Center who strived to make him as safe and comfortable as possible in his final days.