SCARBOROUGH, ME --- Richard “Rich” William Lydon, 77, of Griffin Road, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 4, 2026.
Rich was born on March 24, 1949, in Cambridge, MA, the son of James M. Lydon and Jean D. (Coggar) Lydon.
Rich graduated from UMass Amherst in 1972 with a B.A. in Education, where he was a member of Phi Sigma Delta, and went on to earn his master’s degree in educational administration from Framingham State College in 1975, launching a lifelong career rooted in his love of history and teaching. For 35 years, he taught middle school Social Studies, as well as Math and Reading & Literature, in the Westford, Massachusetts school system, where he formed lifelong friendships with his colleagues and inspired generations of students with his creative lessons and storytelling.
In addition to his classroom work, he served as President of the Westford Education Association for 14 years, and took on roles as a Team Leader, Chess Club Advisor, and Ski Club Coordinator. He coached Westford Academy Girls JV Basketball and Soccer for a number of years, as well as Middle School Boys and Girls Basketball — leading the girl’s team to league championships in 2005 and 2006. He also spent several years serving as a Park Ranger at Willard Brook State Forest.
Outside the classroom, Rich was a devoted father, grandfather (affectionately known as “Poppi”), and loyal friend. He was often found cheering on his grandchildren at their many activities and games and was an avid New England sports fan. In his free time, he enjoyed playing cards with the “Griffinites” in his association complex, visiting his brother and sister-in-law at Lake Winnipesaukee, trying new restaurants with friends, and joining his former teaching colleagues for the “Over the Hill Gang” breakfasts.
He will be remembered as a generous, loving, and giving man, deeply missed by everyone who knew him.
Rich is survived by his mother, Jean Lydon of Marlboro, MA; son Sean Lydon, of Saco, ME; daughter Beth Regan and her husband Paul, of Dayton, ME and their mother, Diane Lydon, of MA; brothers Jay Lydon and his wife Sue, of NH and FL, Joe Lydon and his wife Betty, of MA, and John Lydon and his wife Alberta, of AZ; sister Ellen Oliveira and her husband Paul, of MA; brother-in-law Richard Cook, of MA; grandchildren Tyler Lydon and Brady Lydon and their mother, Jocelyn Lydon, and Acadia Regan and Finnegan Regan; and many nieces and nephews. Rich is predeceased by his father, James Lydon, and sister Carol (Lydon) Cook.
In keeping with Rich’s wishes, there will be no public services. A private celebration of life will be held for close family and friends in the coming weeks.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Park Foundation at nationalparks.org
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.