Richard A. Sprowl, 89, of Derry, NH, died Saturday July 10, 2010, in the Franklin Regional Hospital in Franklin, NH. He was born in Lynn, MA on December 9, 1920, son of the late Sidney and Ivena (Richardson) Sprowl. Mr. Sprowl grew up in and was a longtime resident of Swampscott, MA. He proudly served his country during WWII in the South Pacific with the U.S. Marine Corps. Following his discharge he worked at G.E. in Lynn and then worked for Raytheon in Andover, MA for 27 years, retiring in 1985. He was a machinist, a Chief Steward for 10 years, and finally retired from Configuration Management while working for Raytheon. Mr. Sprowl was a “people person” who enjoyed talking with people and enjoyed having a beer with his friends. He also had a terrific sense of humor and enjoyed teasing those around him at the NH Veteran’s Home. Mr. Sprowl loved the ocean and he loved his Cadillac’s, keeping them looking sharp and clean. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Swampscott, the Swampscott VFW Post #1240, the Marine Corps League and enjoyed visiting the Lester Chase Post #9 while living in Derry.
He is survived by three children; Richard R. Sprowl and his wife Karen of Lowell, MA, Janet Ronan and her husband Tom of Derry, and Joyce Corbett of Nokomis, FL, a step-daughter, Lynda LeMar-Ivey of Nokomis; four grandchildren, Daniel, Megan, Billy and Kara; two great grandchildren, Brooklin and Zoey and his longtime companion, Terri Foley of Lawrence, MA. He was predeceased by his wife, Hope (Wade) Sprowl on July 10, 2006 and by his son-in-law, William Corbett.
Calling hours were held on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 from 10:00am - 12:00pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch Street, Derry. The funeral service followed at 12:00pm in the funeral home. Private family interment with military honors followed in Pine Grove Cemetery, Lynn. Memorial contributions may be made to Community Caregivers of Greater Derry, 58 E. Broadway, Derry, NH 03038 or to Rockingham Nutrition and Meals, 39 W. Broadway, Derry, NH 03038.