Richard N. Murch Sr., 72

Mr. Richard Newton Murch Sr., age 72, a retired electric utility company manager, died Monday, July 8, at the Lahey Medical Center in Burlington, after a long and courageous battle with heart and lung disease.  

He was the beloved husband of Carolyn H. (O’Neill) Murch, with whom he had celebrated a 51st wedding anniversary this past November 4th.

He was born in Medford, October 8, 1940, a son of the late William and Alice (Dale) Murch, and was raised in Everett and Wakefield.  Upon graduation from Wakefield High School, he enlisted into the U.S. Coast Guard, and served in the era following the Korean War.

He began his career at the Reading Municipal Light company as a lineman, and worked his way inside to become an accountant.  After many years of service, he returned to school to earn a degree at Hesser College, and was promoted to Assistant General Manager, the job he held at his retirement.

He was a member of the Tewksbury United Methodist Church.

He summered at the family cottage at Long Lake in Bridgton, Maine, and was described as a great fan of Boston’s professional sports teams, the Patriots, Bruins, and Red Sox, in that order.  When his health permitted he was an avid golfer, and his family also recalled his fondness for ice cream and weakness for a Banana Split.

Besides his beloved wife, he is survived by his son, Richard N. Murch Jr.  and his wife Leigh (McHugo) of Londonderry; two daughters, Christine Cole and her husband Richard of Londonderry and Nancy Butler and her husband Jeffrey of Derry, NH; six grandchildren, Jennifer and Kaitlyn Murch of Londonderry, Steven and Erin Cole of Londonderry, and Ryan and Kaylee Butler of Derry; two brothers, William Murch and his wife Fran of FL, David Murch and his partner Emmar Morales of Haverhill; a sister-in-law Pat Murch of Billerica who was the wife of his late brother, Robert Murch, and many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours Thursday, July 11, from 5 to 8 in the Tewksbury Funeral Home, corner of 1 Dewey and 975 Main Sts. (Rte. 38) TEWKSBURY CENTER, phone (800in MA or 978) 851 2950.  His funeral will begin Friday at 10:00 a.m.from the Funeral Home, followed by a Funeral Service in the Tewksbury United Methodist church, corner of Main and South Sts. (Rte. 38) So. Tewksbury.  Burial will follow at Tewksbury Cemetery.  Flowers are welcome, or memorials to the American Heart Assn.   20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701, will be appreciated.