Richard W. McElroy, 79, of Tewksbury, formerly of Methuen and Hanover, passed away after a brief illness on June 5, 2021 with his family by his side. Rich was born in Boston and was the son of the late Lionel and Catherine (Rose) McElroy of Dedham.

Rich was the best friend and beloved husband to his wife Mary for the last fifty-five years. He is survived by his two daughters, Donna Kelleher and her husband Warren of Haverhill and Corrine Weber and her husband Jonathan of Reading. Nothing made Rich prouder then being "Papa" to his four grandchildren, Matthew and Catherine Weber of Reading and Patrick and Jack Kelleher of Haverhill.

Rich was the brother of the late Alfred McElroy of Greenville, KY and Doris Pagnani of Quincy. He is survived by brothers Lionel (Sonny) McElroy of Clarksville, TN; Robert McElroy of Westwood; sisters Katherine Wilkinson of Dedham and Janice McElroy LeFever of Canton; and sisters-in-law, Sue, Mona and Kathy McElroy. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Rich retired from Delta Airlines after 28 years. During his life and in retirement, Rich was an avid traveler, always researching and planning the next big trip. He also loved to watch his grandchildren play sports and on any given afternoon or evening you could find him sitting in his favorite chair at the baseball field. Rich also enjoyed, and was most admired for his ability to build or fix just about anything. He was famous for having at least three or four of every tool. Rich was always the first person his family and friends would call for any problem or project, big or small.

Visitation will be held on Friday, June 11, 2021 at the Douglass, Edgerley and Bessom Funeral Home 25 Sanborn St. (corner of Woburn St.), Reading from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm with a Prayer Service following at 12:30pm. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Rich's memory to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital at: http://giftfunds.stjude.org/Richard_McElroy