Father of Harvard resident, avid outdoorsman
Edward Riemitis. (Courtesy photo)
Edward J. Riemitis, 95, of North Andover, the father of Harvard woman, Pat Riemitis, died Friday, May 12, 2017, at Lawrence General Hospital, surrounded by his family.
Edward was born in Lawrence on June 16, 1921, to the late John and Pauline (Mumsia) Riemitis, who emigrated from Lithuania and settled in Lawrence. He graduated from Lawrence High School, where he discovered his love for baseball and talent as a catcher. He was a dedicated altar boy at St. Francis Parish in Lawrence. He went on to graduate from the Northeast Broadcasting School in Boston, and he joined Northeast Airlines as an in-flight radio technician, where he developed a lifelong love of flying. When he traveled, he would always check in with the pilot to see if they needed any extra “help” flying the plane.
He founded and became owner of E.J. Riemitis Company Inc. in North Andover, a mobile radio communication company. His love and dedication to his work sustained him well into his retirement, when he would drop by the office daily to offer his help. He was an avid outdoor sportsman, skiing and playing golf into his 80s and playing tennis until age 90. A member of Cedardale Tennis in Andover and the North Andover Lions Club, he was an avid reader of national news and mystery and political novels. Edward loved traveling to more challenging ski mountains in Utah and Colorado and vacationing in warmer climates, especially Bermuda. But most of all, he was happiest spending time when surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
The widower of the late Antina (Alosky) Riemitis, Edward is survived by his son, Edward Riemitis of Pelham, New Hampshire; his three daughters, Marie Pouliot and her husband, Ron, of North Andover, Patricia Riemitis and her husband, Robert Cleary, of Harvard, and Joan Riemitis and her fiancé, Brad Lever, of Chelmsford; and his four grandchildren, Mark Riemitis and his wife, Nadia, Jay Riemitis, Nicholas Cleary, and Colin Cleary. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Brady, the nursing staff, and the entire ICU team at Lawrence General Hospital and Dr. Joseph Rothchild, Dr. Sergio Waxman, and their teams at Lahey Hospital for the kindness, care, and compassion they demonstrated to Edward and his family.
A funeral Mass was celebrated on Tuesday, May 16, at St. Michael’s Church in North Andover. Burial will follow in Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence. Family and friends may call on Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Conte Funeral Home, 17 Third St., North Andover.
To offer online condolences, please visit www.contefuneralhomes.com
