Wayne P. Marquis Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Wayne P. Marquis, 69, beloved husband and father, devoted grandfather, and dedicated Danvers Town Manager for thirty-six years, died Wednesday evening, June 8, 2022, at Beverly Hospital following a valiant battle with chondrosarcoma. He was the loving husband of Nancy (Orrall) Marquis, with whom he shared forty-six years of marriage. Born in Saugus on April 5, 1953, he was raised and educated in Danvers, graduating from Danvers High School in 1971. Wayne earned his bachelor’s degree from Salem State in 1975, where he first became interested in municipal management. This led to a 40-year career of service in Danvers government. Appointed Town Manager at age 26, Wayne worked tirelessly for the people of Danvers for the next three and a half decades. He was especially devoted to the children of the community, constantly advocating for their educational and recreational needs. In financial matters, his leadership was acknowledged not only by the local taxpayers but by municipal leaders throughout the state. In his management of Danvers Electric, he took the state’s oldest municipal power company and made it one of the most preeminent. During his tenure, nearly every town building was either built, re-built, or significantly renovated for the benefit of the people of Danvers. A highlighting achievement was Wayne’s role in garnering widespread support and collaboration for the building and restructuring of Essex Agricultural School into what is now known as the Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical High School. He proudly served as the Danvers representative to the school committee there and it is a project that held a special place in his heart. He was an active member of both the International City/County Management Association and the Massachusetts Municipal Association. Wayne was praised for his leadership during the aftermath of the 2006 Chemical plant blast in Danversport, and in 2011, he was named a Drum Major for Justice by the Danvers Diversity Committee. Following his retirement, Wayne continued to serve on the Danvers Retirement Board, the Danvers Community Council, and the Pillsbury Foundation. Wayne was a longtime member of the Danvers Kiwanis Club and an active member of the Maple Street Congregational Church. He was also an Eagle Scout who passed on his commitment to scouting to his grandchildren. Most important to Wayne was family. He always found time to coach his girls in softball and soccer and never missed a college field hockey game. Hiking in the White Mountains and parts of the Appalachian Trail, and spending time at Pine River Pond made him most happy because it was always done with his family. Wayne also enjoyed live music, playing guitar with his friends and family, and a round of golf with friends. In addition to his wife, he leaves two daughters, Jennifer Marquis of Winthrop and Kathryn Azevedo and her husband Ed of Topsfield; two grandchildren, Noemia and Jackson; his mother, Carolyn (Grimes) Peabody and her husband Myron of Peabody; his step-mother, Marjorie Marquis of Danvers; his siblings, Debra Marquis of Boxford, Linda Marquis and her husband Tim Markham of Peabody, and Scott Marquis of NH; his brother-in-law Bill LaCapra of CT; his sister-in-law Kathy Orrall of North Andover; several nieces and nephews whom he adored; and many dear friends and colleagues. He was predeceased by his father, Paul Marquis, his sister-in-law, Judy LaCapra, and his brother-in-law, Peter Orrall. His Funeral Service will be Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at 10 AM in the Danvers High School Auditorium, 60 Cabot Rd., Danvers. Visiting hours are Monday, June 20, 2022 from 4-7 PM in C.R. Lyons & Sons Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers Square. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wayne P. Marquis Scholarship Fund, c/o Danvers Kiwanis, PO Box 92, Danvers, MA 01923, the Danvers Community Council, PO Box 2076, Danvers, MA 01923, or the Appalachian Mountain Club, 10 City Sq., Boston, MA 02129. For directions or to share an expression of sympathy with Wayne’s family, please visit www.LyonsFuneral.com.

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Wayne P. Marquis

April 5, 1953 - June 8, 2022