Richard M. Willey Jr., 74, of Londonderry, NH passed away on Thursday, December 31, 2015 at his home surrounded by his loving family following a long and courageous battle with Leukemia. He was born on July 28, 1941 in Boston, MA, a son of the late Edith (Barker) and Richard M. Willey Sr.
He held many jobs when he was young but he found his career working for the railroad as Sr. VP of Sales & Planning. He worked for B&M Railroad / Guilford Transportation for 49 years. He was very proud of his job and enjoyed going to work every day. He loved that his job allowed him to travel to different places. Upon his retirement, he spent most of his time with his family. He loved nothing more than to see his grandchildren swimming in the pool. When his children were young, they spent summers in Freedom NH & then in recent years at Old Orchard Beach ME. He often said it was the perfect vacation.
He was married to Joan for 49 years & resided in Londonderry NH where he raised his three children. He belonged to the St. Marks Masonic Lodge in Derry NH and held the title of Master in 1975. He was immensely grateful for his wife Joan who cared for him tirelessly and was his caregiver especially in the last few years of his life.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Joan M. (Burke) Willey of Londonderry, three children, Richard M. Willey III & his wife Andrea of Londonderry, Russell A. Willey & his wife Debra of Concord, NH & Julie A. Raza & her husband Matthew of Londonderry; five grandchildren, Alyssa, Jessica, Nicole, Emma & Ryan; one sister, Carla Lincoln & her husband Steve of Somerville MA, one brother Ronald Willey of Winchester MA, several nieces & nephews; as well as his mother-in-law Margaret L. Burke of Somerville MA. He was predeceased by one brother Robert Willey.
Calling hours were held on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 from 3 – 7pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Rd., Londonderry. Funeral services were held on Thursday January 7th at 11:00am in the funeral home. Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery, Gilcreast Road, Londonderry. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dana Farber, 40 Buttrick Road, Londonderry NH 03053. A special thank you to the wonderful staff at Dana Farber in Londonderry who took such great care of him