Obituaries

Controversial Former Recreation Director Patterson Dead of Apparent Heart Attack

Roy Patterson, who was active in Tewksbury youth sports, was sentenced to three years probation for his actions while he was Recreation Director.

Roy Patterson, the former Tewksbury Recreation Director who was involved in legal troubles, died on Friday after suffering an apparent heart attack.

Patterson, 65, was heavily involved in Tewksbury youth sports. According to his obituary, Patterson coached Tewksbury Youth Baseball, Tewksbury Youth Hockey, Tewksbury Memorial High School freshman and junior varsity baseball for ten years, and was also a Northeast Baseball League coach.

The lifelong Tewksbury resident served on the Board of Directors for the T.Y. Baseball and T.Y. Hockey organizations and was a co-founder of the T.Y. Hockey Boosters Club, according to his obituary on the Tewksbury Funeral Home website.

But controversy also surrounded Patterson when he was accused of adding hours not worked to time cards of employees, and using cash generated from that to pay employees not hired by the town, including his son.

Following an investigation and legal proceedings, former Tewksbury Recreation business manager Lauren Bibo Morris agreed to pay the town $51,942 for stealing from the department in 2009 and 2010.

Patterson, meanwhile, was sentenced to three years probation for his role, for which he was charged with larceny under $250 and ethics violations under the state's Conflict of Interest laws.

Born in Lowell on January 12, 1949, Patterson was a member of the Tewksbury Memorial High School Class of 1966. Patterson founded Towne Auto Body in Lowell, a business he owned for 30 years before retiring.

Visiting hours are scheduled for Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Tewksbury Funeral Home. His funeral service will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home, followed by burial in Tewksbury Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the George “Timmy” Ernest Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o T.F.H., 1 Dewey St., Tewksbury, MA 01876 or Tewksbury Food Pantry, 999 Whipple Rd., Tewksbury, MA 01876 will be appreciated.


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