Richard Lawler

Richard Lawler, 84, of Merrimack, NH passed away on Tuesday February 10th, 2026, after a period of declining health.

He was born on July 27, 1941, in the front room of a farmhouse in Weston Maine to the late Alton and Doris (Dwyer) Lawler. He was raised in Maine where his family later welcomed a daughter, Wendy (Russo) in 1948. Richard graduated from Portland High School and went on to earn an engineering degree from Northeast Institute of Industrial Technology.

Richard worked as an engineer both by profession and temperament and had a remarkable ability to fix nearly anything. He truly understood how things worked. After leading multiple organizations, he retired from Presstek in 2009.

Richard had a deep appreciation for the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, snowmobiling and playing tennis. He took great pride in caring for his possessions, often washing cars even in the coldest of weather.

Known for his gift of conversation, Richard could speak with anyone on almost any subject. He loved sharing stories from his life, especially those about his family who were his greatest pride. In his free time Richard had a passion for music – especially the musical group Celtic Thunder and all things Ireland wanting to return “just one more time”. He passed along an affinity for ice cream – a gift his children and grandchildren devoured as enthusiastically as he did.

Along with his parents, Richard is predeceased by his sister Wendy Russo.

Richard is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Lucia Lawler; his children, Kevin Lawler and his wife Barbara, Karin Duchesne and her husband Douglas, Kathleen Trantham and her husband Roger, Melissa Stevens, Jeffrey Lawler and his wife Laurie, Laura Derosa and her husband Thomas, as well as 12 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Saturday February 14th, 2026, from 12 – 2 PM at the Rivet Funeral Home located at 425 Daniel Webster Highway in Merrimack, NH. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 11 AM at the Bedford Road Baptist Church located at 67 Bedford Road in Merrimack, NH. A gathering for family and friends will be held at the church immediately following the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Richard’s memory can be made to Home Health and Hospice Care 2 Executive Park Drive Merrimack, NH 03254 – the team who cared for him and the family with compassion, care and loving kindness for which we will always be grateful.