Raymond Lawrence Merrigan, 81, of Glen Avenue, a former city leader, died Wednesday at the Chicopee home of his daughter, Helenmary T. Francis.
He was the North Adams postmaster for 30 years. Active in city politics and government, he served for several years on the City Council and the Democratic City Committee and was a spokesman for Concerned Citizens for Downtown Development.
He was previously a reporter and part-time sports photographer for The Springfield Union (now Union-News) and the North Adams Transcript. He won the first prize in several New England Press Association annual news photo contests.
Born in South Deerfield, he graduated from Deerfield Academy in 1937 and also studied at Villanova University. An Army veteran of World War II, he was a drill instructor, combat infantryman and military correspondent in the Philippine Islands and Japan.
He belonged to the Knights of Columbus, the Elks, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Roman Catholic Charities and the St. Francis Church parish council.
He was president of the Western Massachusetts Postmasters Association and the former Freeman Parent Group and Freeman-Greylock Parent Group. He also was active in pro-life organizations.
His wife of 55 years, the former Helen M. McKillop, died in 1994, and a daughter, Suzanne H. Holt of Chicopee, in April. He leaves four sons, Raymond L. Jr. of Guilford, Vt., Dr. Daniel M. of Boston, Michael F. of Dallas and T. Timothy of Shelburne Falls; a daughter, Helenmary Francis of Chicopee; a brother, Thomas W. of Greenfield; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be Saturday morning at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals and St. Francis of Assisi Church, both in North Adams, with burial in Calvary Cemetery, Holyoke. Calling hours are this afternoon and evening.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, in care of the funeral home at 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA 02147.
He was the North Adams postmaster for 30 years. Active in city politics and government, he served for several years on the City Council and the Democratic City Committee and was a spokesman for Concerned Citizens for Downtown Development.
He was previously a reporter and part-time sports photographer for The Springfield Union (now Union-News) and the North Adams Transcript. He won the first prize in several New England Press Association annual news photo contests.
Born in South Deerfield, he graduated from Deerfield Academy in 1937 and also studied at Villanova University. An Army veteran of World War II, he was a drill instructor, combat infantryman and military correspondent in the Philippine Islands and Japan.
He belonged to the Knights of Columbus, the Elks, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Roman Catholic Charities and the St. Francis Church parish council.
He was president of the Western Massachusetts Postmasters Association and the former Freeman Parent Group and Freeman-Greylock Parent Group. He also was active in pro-life organizations.
His wife of 55 years, the former Helen M. McKillop, died in 1994, and a daughter, Suzanne H. Holt of Chicopee, in April. He leaves four sons, Raymond L. Jr. of Guilford, Vt., Dr. Daniel M. of Boston, Michael F. of Dallas and T. Timothy of Shelburne Falls; a daughter, Helenmary Francis of Chicopee; a brother, Thomas W. of Greenfield; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be Saturday morning at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals and St. Francis of Assisi Church, both in North Adams, with burial in Calvary Cemetery, Holyoke. Calling hours are this afternoon and evening.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, in care of the funeral home at 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA 02147.
Raymond Lawrence Merrigan, 81, of Glen Avenue, a former city leader, died Wednesday at the Chicopee home of his daughter, Helenmary T. Francis.
He was the North Adams postmaster for 30 years. Active in city politics and government, he served for several years on the City Council and the Democratic City Committee and was a spokesman for Concerned Citizens for Downtown Development.
He was previously a reporter and part-time sports photographer for The Springfield Union (now Union-News) and the North Adams Transcript. He won the first prize in several New England Press Association annual news photo contests.
Born in South Deerfield, he graduated from Deerfield Academy in 1937 and also studied at Villanova University. An Army veteran of World War II, he was a drill instructor, combat infantryman and military correspondent in the Philippine Islands and Japan.
He belonged to the Knights of Columbus, the Elks, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Roman Catholic Charities and the St. Francis Church parish council.
He was president of the Western Massachusetts Postmasters Association and the former Freeman Parent Group and Freeman-Greylock Parent Group. He also was active in pro-life organizations.
His wife of 55 years, the former Helen M. McKillop, died in 1994, and a daughter, Suzanne H. Holt of Chicopee, in April. He leaves four sons, Raymond L. Jr. of Guilford, Vt., Dr. Daniel M. of Boston, Michael F. of Dallas and T. Timothy of Shelburne Falls; a daughter, Helenmary Francis of Chicopee; a brother, Thomas W. of Greenfield; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be Saturday morning at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals and St. Francis of Assisi Church, both in North Adams, with burial in Calvary Cemetery, Holyoke. Calling hours are this afternoon and evening.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, in care of the funeral home at 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA 02147.
He was the North Adams postmaster for 30 years. Active in city politics and government, he served for several years on the City Council and the Democratic City Committee and was a spokesman for Concerned Citizens for Downtown Development.
He was previously a reporter and part-time sports photographer for The Springfield Union (now Union-News) and the North Adams Transcript. He won the first prize in several New England Press Association annual news photo contests.
Born in South Deerfield, he graduated from Deerfield Academy in 1937 and also studied at Villanova University. An Army veteran of World War II, he was a drill instructor, combat infantryman and military correspondent in the Philippine Islands and Japan.
He belonged to the Knights of Columbus, the Elks, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Roman Catholic Charities and the St. Francis Church parish council.
He was president of the Western Massachusetts Postmasters Association and the former Freeman Parent Group and Freeman-Greylock Parent Group. He also was active in pro-life organizations.
His wife of 55 years, the former Helen M. McKillop, died in 1994, and a daughter, Suzanne H. Holt of Chicopee, in April. He leaves four sons, Raymond L. Jr. of Guilford, Vt., Dr. Daniel M. of Boston, Michael F. of Dallas and T. Timothy of Shelburne Falls; a daughter, Helenmary Francis of Chicopee; a brother, Thomas W. of Greenfield; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be Saturday morning at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals and St. Francis of Assisi Church, both in North Adams, with burial in Calvary Cemetery, Holyoke. Calling hours are this afternoon and evening.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, in care of the funeral home at 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA 02147.
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