Richard Neville Markham

November 3, 2017

Neville was born in Ayer on August 8, 1930 the son of the late Joseph M and Frances (King) Markham. He graduated from Ayer High School, received his bachelor degree from Fitchburg State College and his Master’s Degree in Education from Boston University. Neville served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He later taught history at Ayer High School. Neville joined the school administration department in the late 1960s serving as the Assistant Principal at Ayer High School and then as Principal of the Ayer Jr High School. In 1974, he was named the Superintendent of Union 42 and ultimately the Ayer School System. He was an active member of St. Mary’s Parish in Ayer and long-term trustee of the Ayer Public Library. Neville was also a Corporator of the former North Middlesex Savings Bank. Neville is predeceased by his wife of 59 years Patricia (O’Malley). He is survived by his three daughters, Mary P Markham and her husband Robert Sama of Ayer, Elizabeth Sarno-Hill and her husband Robert Hill of Somersworth, NH and Jane Weinstein and her husband Brian of Needham; five grandchildren, Leslie Chinburg and her husband Noah, Emily Sama, Mark Sama, Miles Weinstein and Elizabeth Weinstein. Neville is also predeceased by a son Richard N. Markham, Jr in 2002, a grandson, Matthew Sarno in 2005 along with his brothers William J. (Billy) Markham, Walter Markham, John (Jack) Markham and his twin sister Elizabeth (Betty Ann Kelly).