Walter H. ‘Peter’ Mann passed away peacefully on September 20, 2023. He was born on March 10, 1933 in Lawrence, MA where he was raised along with his three younger siblings (Charlotte, Carl and Richard ‘Dick’) born to Walter and Stella (Hamel) Mann.
He attended St. Anne’s Grammar School, Central Catholic High School and graduated from Merrimack College in 1954. Peter married the love of his life, Betty Louise Brawley, in 1962. They moved from Southboro, MA to Merrimac, MA in 1972 with 5 young children in tow. His business career of 40+ years was mainly spent selling printing supplies throughout New England. He served in the U.S. Army from 1955 – 1957. Peter was a faithful parishioner of the Church of the Holy Redeemer in Merrimac and was involved with the Parish Council, he was a CCD teacher, a reader at Sunday Masses as well as a Eucharistic Minister.
Peter was a man of compassion, faith and integrity and anyone who knew him was a beneficiary. He was a true family man and a constant presence in his children’s lives, volunteering to chaperone school fieldtrips, attending recitals and never missing a single sporting event. Rain or shine, he would be on the sidelines yelling ‘that’s my boy’ or ‘that’s my girl’. His sideline dedication continued with his grandchildren as well. Peter loved the town of Merrimac and was a Boy Scout leader, a little league coach and a member of the Lions Club. He was an avid sports fan and for years held season tickets to the Red Sox and Patriots.
Peter and Betty were fortunate to travel to many beautiful places together – Bermuda (their favorite), The Bahamas, St. Martin and Dunedin, FL. The last two weeks of every July was spent with family at Moody Beach in Wells, Maine with the door always open to visitors. The family also spent many long weekends in the winter at their second home at Sugarloaf Mountain.
He is reunited with his beloved wife, Betty, of 60 years who passed on January 15, 2023. He leaves behind his five children, Eric (Shirley) Mann of North Andover, Alicia (Joe) Couturier of Merrimac, Andrea Mann of Merrimac, Vicky (Dave) Skolnick of Belmont and Michael (Lana) Mann of Merrimac. He was proudly known as ‘Grampy’ to many: Katie Mann of Dover, NH, Jake (Sarah) Mann of Dover, NH, Peter and Allie Mann of North Andover, Ryan (Carley) Couturier of Newton, NH, Abby Couturier of Hampstead, NH, Kevin Couturier of Merrimac, Brad and Thomas Skolnick of Belmont, Lydia and Nolan Mann of Merrimac. He is further survived by his sister Charlotte Mann of Stoughton, MA and a large extended family of nieces and nephews who have a special place in their hearts for ‘Puncle Ete’. He is predeceased by his parents, his step-mother, Edith Mann, his brothers Carl and Richard as well as his sister in-law Laura, niece Christine (Mann) McKenzie and nephew Robbie McInnis.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 28, in the Driscoll Funeral Home, 309 S. Main Street, Haverhill from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday in Nativity Church of Holy Redeemer Parish, 4 Green Street, Merrimac at 10:00 AM. Please meet directly at church. Interment with U.S. Army Honors will follow in Locust Grove Cemetery, Merrimac. For guestbook, visit www.driscollcares.com
(Photo and Obituary via Driscoll Funeral Home)
[Editor’s Note: It appears I missed news of Betty Mann’s passing in January. You can find her obituary here.]
