Richard Demagall, 80

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Richard Demagall, 80, of North Adams died Saturday, July 30, 2016, at his beloved home.

He was born in Mount Pleasant, Pa., on May 16, 1936, son of Joseph and Dorothy (Winzek) Demagall. He attended schools in Scottsdale, Pa., and was a graduate of Scottdale High School with the class of 1954. Richard received numerous awards for academics and athletics while in high school and college. He was given an opportunity to tryout for the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Giants. He was then offered a position on the Pirates in the minor leagues; however, he chose to begin his family life.

On June 13, 1955, he married Blanche Wick of Scottdale, Pa. The couple moved to Ashland, Ohio, where he obtained a job at Mansfield Tire and Rubber. He worked there for seven years until moving to Burlington, Vt.  Richard then attended the University of Vermont from 1962 until graduating in May of 1965 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He accepted a position in Pittsfield, Mass., at General Electric in its Power Transformer Division. He spent his entire career at GE working in Power Transformers Division, Ordnance and Plastics, also working at Berkshire Bridge and Iron, Hill Engineering in Dalton and with several other contractors.  He retired from GE on June 25, 1993.

He enjoyed bicycling, cross country skiing, golfing and hiking and loved to putter around his home. He was a hard worker with a fine sense of humor.  He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Richard was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Dorothy (Winzek) Demagall and his brother Ronald Demagall. 

Survivors include his three siblings, Thomas Demagall, Evelyn Levendosky and Maryann Demagall, and his sister-in-law Phyllis Demagall, all of Pennsylvania; one son and three daughters, including Steven Demagall, Susan Brzoska and her husband Stanley, Sharon Barry and her husband Dennis, and Sandra Ehle and her husband Frederick; his ex-wives, Blanche H. Demagall and Deborah Demagall; nine grandchildren; one great-grandson; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and his best friend Ron Trout of North Adams.

Funeral notice: The funeral for Richard Demagall will be Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, at 11 a.m. at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams. Burial will be private.

A calling hour will be held on Saturday morning from 10-11 AM. For those that prefer memorial donations may be made in his name to the American Heart Association at heart.org.