Richard J. Mackey Jr.
...retired Tewksbury Police Lieutenant; 79
TEWKSBURY - Richard J. "Dick" Mackey Jr., age 79, a retired Lieutenant for Tewksbury Police, died Sunday evening, March 30, at his Tewksbury home, after a lengthy illness, surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Mary Rose (King) Mackey, who died in May, 2002.
He was born in East Boston on November 4, 1928, one of nine children of the late Richard and Elizabeth (Meaney) Mackey. He was raised in East Boston, and attended schools in Boston. He left school to join the Army during WWII, and was recently the proud recipient of a High School Diploma, granted by Boston's Mayor Menino, given to Veterans who left high school to defend their country. He enlisted into the Army during WWII, and served with the Japanese Occupation forces after the surrender of Japan.
Dick summered at Silver Lake in Wilmington throughout his childhood where he met the love of his life, Mary King. They married in 1950, and moved to Tewksbury, where they remained until his retirement from the Police Department. Since retirement, they had wintered in Vero Beach, Florida.
He began his Police career as a reserve Patrolman in Nov. 1954. He was selected as a permanent officer in April 1957. He was promoted to Sargent in May 1966, Lieutenant in August 1980, and retired from the Tewksbury Police Department in July 1988.
As a Patrolman, he was a member of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, and after promotion, a member of the Tewksbury Superior Officers Association. He remained a member of the Massachusetts Police Association throughout his career and into his retirement. He was a communicant of St. William's Church, a Life Member of the Tewksbury-Wilmington Elks Lodge, 2070, and a former member of the Tewksbury Veteran's Association (T.V.A.). Since retirement, he enjoyed spending time with his family.
He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Retired Tewksbury Police Chief, John R. Mackey and his wife Barbara (Dionne) Mackey of Hollis, NH, and Tewksbury Fire Department Chief, Richard J. Mackey and his wife Valerie (Conserva) Mackey of Tewksbury; five grandchildren, Heather Godin of Dracut, Colleen Mackey of Hollis, NH, Cristen Mackey of Dracut, Sgt. Brian Mackey, U.S.A.F., currently assigned to OK, and Laura Mackey of Tewksbury; one great granddaughter, Taylor Rose Godin of Dracut; two brothers, Robert F. Mackey of Salem, MA, William F. Mackey and his wife Elizabeth of Tewksbury, two sisters, Marjorie DiManno and her husband Paul of So. Boston, Lorraine Fournier and her husband Richard of Everett; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Helen Webber of Westboro, Ed King of TX, John "Jack" and Elizabeth "Betty King of Tewksbury; numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends throughout New England and Florida.
He was also brother of the late Rita Joyce, Elizabeth Layne, Madeline O'Keefe, and Thomas Mackey.
His Funeral Mass was celebrated Friday, April 4, in St. William's Church, Tewksbury. Burial with Army Honors followed at Tewksbury Cemetery. Memorial gifts to the Dana-Farber "Jimmy Fund," 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445 will be appreciated.