Thomas F. Pettingill

Thomas Francis Pettingill, 83, of Merrimac, MA passed away on 8 June 2025 in Exeter NH with his family by his side. Tom was born in Haverhill as the second son of the late Albert C. and Doris (Harrigan) Pettingill. He attended Haverhill High School for three years and then graduated from Avon Old Farms School class of 1959. He played on the football and baseball teams at both schools. Tom later enlisted in the United States Navy where he served on the aircraft carrier Ranger in 1965 during the Vietnam War. After completing his tour of duty in the Navy, Tom studied at Merrimack College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Tom was employed as an engineer at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and retired in 2004 after 27 years of service.

Tom was a member of St. James Parish in Haverhill where he sang with the Spanish choir. He was also an avid hiker and as a member of the Appalachian Mountain Club he led many hikes in the White Mountains. He was very meticulous in planning every hike and his team always knew they were in good hands with his leadership. Tom often talked about a trip he took to Nicaragua with a group from the University of New Hampshire where they spent a month living with and helping Nicaraguan families. Tom was an avid reader and could talk easily about many topics, especially politics. He was so loved and will be missed.

He is survived by his wife Ruth (Herrmann) Pettingill, three step-children, Stephen and his wife Rachel (Mitchell) Le Bel, Marianne and her husband John Garfi, Andrew and his wife Darlene (Wing) Le Bel, 15 step grandchildren, and 1 step great granddaughter. He also leaves his brother Albert and his wife Sara (Fall) Pettingill of Haverhill, nieces Jennifer Pettingill of Haverhill, and Diane Ripley of Atkinson, NH.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at the Rogers Funeral Home, 2 Hillside Ave, Amesbury MA. Father Dan McCoy will officiate. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in memory of Thomas F. Pettingill to the Merrimac Senior Center Food Pantry, 100 East Main Street, Merrimac, MA 01860.