WHAV (https://whav.net/category/obituaries/)
Clinton Medley, 69, of Haverhill, died Saturday, Aug. 17 at Boston Medical Center. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he worked for many years as a regional construction manager and federal certifications construction supervisor, specifically with lead and asbestos. Visiting hours are Saturday, Aug. 24, in the Driscoll Funeral Home, 309 South Main St., Haverhill, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m..
Linda I. (Judson) Champagne, 74, of Groveland, died Friday, Aug. 9. Born in Haverhill, Champagne spent most of her life in Groveland, graduating from Pentucket High School in 1962. She worked for more than 50 years as a secretary at Norwood Insurance Agency in Groveland. Calling hours are Wednesday, Aug.
Dorothy I. Cantwell, 89, died Aug. 9 at Holy Family Hospital. Born and raised in Haverhill, Cantwell graduated from Haverhill Public Schools and went on to work as the bank manager for the Merrimack Valley Bank in Haverhill. Upon her retirement, she worked at the former New England Telephone. Calling hours are Tuesday, Aug.
Felix R. Pernilla, 73, died on Aug. 8. Born in Guatemala City, Guatemala, Pernilla was the pastor for more than 10 years at Iglesia de Cristo Elim in Methuen. He also enjoyed to travel back to Guatemala to visit family. Calling hours are Sunday, Aug.
Haverhill’s former Superintendent of Schools Dr. Raleigh Cornelius Buchanan died Friday, July 26, his family confirmed. Born in North Carolina, he was known as “Dr. B” and worked as Haverhill’s education chief from 2006-2010. He also created Haverhill High School’s Classical Academy. Starting his career in education as a sixth grade teacher in Indiana, Buchanan coached basketball and served as the principal of Brown Township Elementary School. Holding a Doctorate of Education from the University of Illinois, Buchanan also taught college-level school psychology.
Wayne L. “Puka” Simpson, 46, died Monday, Aug. 5 at Holy Family Hospital. Simpson worked as a tire maintenance specialist and moving contractor all over New England. Calling hours are Friday, Aug. 9 from 4-7 p.m. at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St., Haverhill, and funeral services are the following day beginning at 11:30 a.m. Burial is private.
John A. Paszko, 90, died Monday at Holy Family Hospital. Paszko was an auto-mechanic and taught the subject at Whittier and Lawrence Regional Vocational and Technical Schools. Paszko taught at the schools for a total of 25 years and simultaneously owned and operated several businesses. In his spare time, Paszko would restore classic cars and learn more about the history of Haverhill. He was the husband of former Haverhill schools Business Manager Nancy Paszko.
Matthew G. Donovan, 34, died July 31 in Haverhill. He was employed at Pynn Masonry Contractors in Plaistow, N.H. Calling hours are Tuesday, Aug. 6 from 4-7 p.m. at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St., Haverhill. Wayne D. Fairbanks, 76, of Groveland, died peacefully on Aug. 2 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House, surrounded by family.
Rev. Father Frederick R. McGowan, Jr., 94, a Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Boston and pastor emeritus of Saint James Parish of Haverhill, died Wednesday, July 31 at Regina Cleri Residence for retired priests in Boston. He attended Boston College and in 1944 entered Saint John’s Seminary in Brighton and was ordained a priest by the late Archbishop Richard Cardinal Cushing at The Cathedral of the Holy Cross in 1949. He was first assigned to St. Jerome’s Parish in North Weymouth, and later served at St. Mary, Star of the Sea Parish of Beverly and St.
