Richard O. Lahue Sr. Obituary (1918 - 2015)

CHELMSFORD - Richard O. Lahue Sr., age 96, a long time resident of Chelmsford MA, died on May 15, 2015 at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Dracut, MA, the fifth child of the late Harry W. Lahue and the late Ellen Grace (Omand) Lahue. He graduated from Lowell High School in 1938 and later graduated from Fitchburg State College. He taught Industrial Arts at the A.B. Constantino School in Haverhill for many years retiring in 1981. Following his marriage to Mary Louise Spencer in January 1940, he moved to Chelmsford and has lived there since that time. Mr. Lahue served in the U.S. Navy during W.W.II in the special Armed Guard Division manning the guns on merchant ships. He was awarded a medal from the Russian Government on both the 40th and 50th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945 in recognition for making the Murmansk Run to deliver supplies to the northern city of Murmansk, Russia. He was also awarded a W.W. II Victory Medal, America Area Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Ribbon, a Good Conduct Medal and the European African Theatre Ribbon He was a Boy Scout leader and merit badge counselor in Troop 212 of Chelmsford for many years when his sons were involved with scouts. He joined the order of the United Commercial Travelers of America in 1946 and served as an officer on many committees of this organization for more than 50 years. He has also served on many town committees including: Chelmsford Celebrations Committee, Chelmsford Historic District Commission, Chelmsford Revolutionary War Bicentennial Celebration (Chairman), Old Town Hall Restoration Committee (Chairman), Clerk of the Works for the Restoration of the Old Town Hall, Holiday Decorating Committee (Chairman), Chelmsford Historical Society (President), Chelmsford Historical Society Board of Directors, Chelmsford Historical Society Museum Trust and Museum Manager for the Barrett-Byam Homestead The Home of the Chelmsford Historical Society for over 35 years and a Director of the Historic Adams Millstream Inc. He also served as Grand Marshall of the Town of Chelmsfords 4th of July Parade in 1985. He was the husband of the late Mary L. (Spencer) Lahue just short of 65 years at the time of her death in 2004. He is survived by 2 sons and a daughter, Richard Lahue, Jr. and his wife Carol of Nashua, N.H., Robert Lahue and his wife Patricia of Westford, and Mary E. Caffelle and her husband Dana of Chelmsford. He is survived by 8 grandchildren, Scott Lahue, Leeann Lahue, Kathleen (Lahue) Boyle and her husband David, Michael Caffelle and his wife Lorin, Matthew Caffelle and his wife Carolyn, Brian Lahue and his wife Jennifer, Lori ORourke and her husband Neil, and Gregory Lahue and his wife Rebecca. He is also survived by 14 Great Grandchildren, Debony, and Rose Lahue, Shawn, Tyler and David Boyle, Shannon, MacGregor, Jameson, and Taylor Caffelle, Jonathan, Patrick and Benjamin Lahue, and Caitlin and Brendan ORourke . He is also survived by his sister Arlene Scharer of California. He was predeceased by his sisters Barbara Little, Geneva Hill and brothers Warren Lahue and Robert Lahue. In his later years his greatest joy was spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and his summers at Hampton Beach, N.H. He will be missed by all who knew him. The family would like to thank the staff of Circle Home Health Care and Hospice for their kindness and care they provided over the last few weeks. Visitation will be held at the BLAKE FUNERAL HOME, 24 Worthen Street, CHELMSFORD on Wednesday from 8:30 until 10:30 am followed by his Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 11 oclock at St. Mary Church, 25 North Rd, Chelmsford. Interment in St. Patrick Cemetery in Lowell. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Richards memory to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701 or to Circle Home Health Care and Hospice, 336 Central St., Lowell, MA 01852. Visitation May 20, 2015 8:30am - 10:30am, Blake Funeral Home 24 Worthen Street Chelmsford, MA 01824 Service Information May 20, 2015 11:00am, Saint Mary Catholic Church 25 North Road Chelmsford, MA 01824 Interment Location Saint Patrick Cemetery 1251 Gorham Street Lowell, MA