Robert Ritchie

Robert C. Ritchie, 86, of Bradford, died Saturday, December 17, at the Merrimack Valley Hospice House, surrounded by his loving family.Born in Haverhill, he was the son of the late, Raymond B. and Elizabeth A. (McCaughey) Ritchie. He attended Haverhill public schools, Haverhill High School and Massachusetts Radio Trade School in Boston. A lifelong resident of Bradford, he was a member of Sacred Hearts Parish, Knights of Columbus Council #202, and AMVETS Post 147.A Veteran of WWII, Corporal Ritchie proudly served in the U.S. Army Air Force, where he specialized in Radio Mechanics and communications. He was awarded the WWII Victory Medal, the American Theater Campaign Ribbon, and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Ribbon.Mr. Ritchie was employed as a television and electronics Repair Technician at Mehl’s T. V. for thirty-two years and Pigeon Electric Co. in Haverhill, until his retirement in 2009.A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, he leaves his beloved wife of fifty-two years, Mary E. “Betty” (McAuliffe) Ritchie, of Bradford, three daughters, Carol A. Lagasse, of Haverhill, Joanne M. Blynn, of Bradford, and, Patricia E. Wentworth and her husband, Robert, of Raymond, NH, a son, Robert G. and his wife, Joanne M., of Wakefield, eight grandchildren, Petty Officer 2nd Class, Douglas Blynn, Petty Officer 2nd Class, Daniel Blynn, Rachael Wentworth, Robert Wentworth, Erin Lagasse, Ian Ritchie, Ryan Ritchie, and Maggie Ritchie, a sister, M. Mary Ritchie, of Bradford, two brothers, Joseph P. of, Plaistow, and William E. and his wife Margaret, of Concord, MA, He was predeceased by a son James F., brothers, Rev. Frances Ritchie, John, and Lawrence, and son in law, Douglas L. Blynn.Friends and family are respectfully invited to call on Tuesday, from 3 until 7 PM at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St. (Rte 125) Haverhill. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 9:30 from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:30 in Sacred Hearts Church, South Main St. Bradford. Burial with military honors will follow in St. James Cemetery, Primrose St. Haverhill. Memorial donations may be made to the Merrimack Valley Hospice House, 360 Merrimack St. Lawrence, MA 01843.