Edward Leo Lonergan

Edward Leo Lonergan's long life (91 years) ended early in the morning of September 5, 2018 following several years with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Born June 8, 1927 to Beatrice (Vatcher) and Edward Leo Lonergan, Sr. in Malden, MA, he grew up there and graduated from Malden High School in 1944. After serving in the US Navy, he returned to Malden , married Nancy (Wadland), and graduated in 1954 from Northeastern University as a chemical engineer. He was inducted into the honorary engineering society of Tau Beta Pi.

Ed and Nancy raised 4 sons in Bedford, MA and Nashua, NH. Following Nancy's death, Ed married Judith (Spooner Farrey) in 1990, and they had happy years traveling to many countries and enjoying living in Rochester, NH and in their summer cottage on Merrymeeting Lake in New Durham, NH before moving to Concord at Havenwood Heritage Heights in 2002.

Ed worked for Union Carbide and W.R. Grace before establishing his own company, Schell Industrial Equipment, Inc., manufacturers' representatives for chemical processing equipment. He retired in 1998.

Ed's favorite hobby was boating, and he had a boat of some kind from the age of 10. The first ones he rowed around Ipswich Bay, MA where his parents had a summer cottage. Later ones were on Merrymeeting Lake where he bought a basic summer camp. Over 45 years he almost single handedly transformed it into a comfortable cottage surrounded by flowers. Believing the property was meant to be shared, there were many gatherings and parties all summer long.

Generous with his time, talent, and treasure in every church to which he belonged, he served as a trustee in UCC churches in Rochester, NH and Concord, NH. As senior trustee at First Congregational Church in Rochester, he managed funds raised through a capital campaign that enabled a large addition to the church and restoration of the pipe organ. He also signed the mortgage for the addition assuring Judith that he didn't put their house up as collateral. Ed also served as co-chair of the church's Open and Affirming Committee. At Heritage Heights he was chair of the Resident Association. Ed was a member of the Rochester Masons Humane Lodge No. 21.

He was predeceased by his first wife Nancy and his son Robert. He's survived by his wife Judith, sons William, Richard, and Steven Lonergan, step-daughters Elizabeth Worthington, Ellen Barnes, and "honorary" step-daughter Melanie Lee; three grandchildren Lisa, Shawn, and Adam Lonergan, a step-granddaughter Adelaide Barnes, and 3 great grandchildren.

Ed lived on the second floor of the Health Services Center at Havenwood Heritage Heights for the last two years of his life. His family thanks the staff for their extraordinary and compassionate care.

A memorial service followed by a reception will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 14 at Havenwood, 33 Christian Ave., Concord, NH. In lieu of flowers, Ed would wish donations be sent to the Concord Coalition to End Homelessness, 238 Main St., Concord, NH 03301; the NH Food Bank, 700 East Industrial Drive, Manchester, NH 03109 or to another charity supporting the homeless or the hungry.