More detail on this person: Michael E. Rigney,
65, of Marlborough, died Friday, Sept. 11, 2015
after a courageous battle with cancer. He was the
husband of Betty A. (Bourgoine) Rigney for the
past 44 years.
He was born in Marlborough, the son of the late
Edward F. and Mildred P. (Campbell) Rigney, and
was a 1968 graduate of Marlborough High School.
He graduated from Quinsigimond Community
College in 1978 with an Associate's Degree in
Criminal Justice and later from Fitchburg State
College with a Bachelor's Degree in Human
Services.
Mike was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War,
serving as a helicopter pilot, and he received the
Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star & Air
Medal. In 1972, he began his 32 year career in law
enforcement with the city of Marlborough Police
Department, retiring in 2004 with the rank of
lieutenant. He was a past president of the
Marlborough Police Patrolman's Union from
1978-1988.
He enjoyed camping at Swanzey Lake in New
Hampshire with his family, captaining his pontoon
boat, enjoying a fine cigar and playing friendly
games of poker. He was an avid Patriots fan and
spent many years tailgating with family and
friends. He loved the game of football, coaching
Marlborough Pop Warner and at Marlborough High
School over the years. He and his wife Betty
enjoyed traveling and especially loved ocean
cruises.
He was a member of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots
Association, the Distinguished Flying Cross
Society, as well as a number of other veterans
groups.
He will be remembered as a proud, loyal,
committed, determined man. He was devoted to his
family and affectionately called "Baba" by his
five grandchildren.
Besides his wife, he leaves his son, Richard B.
Rigney and his wife Abigail of Barre; his
daughter, Sally A. Rigney of Marlborough; a
brother, William Rigney and his wife Diane of
Marlborough; a sister, Barbara Rebeiro and her
husband Ronald of Haverhill; five grandchildren,
Noah, Madeleine, Andrew and Jillian, all of Barre,
and Jackson of Marlborough; and many nephews
and nieces.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday, Sept. 15,
at 10:30 a.m., in the Fitzgerald & Collins Funeral
Home, 378 Lincoln St., Marlborough. Burial with
military honors will be held at 1 p.m. in the
Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111
Glenallen St., Winchendon. Calling hours will be
held Monday, Sept. 14, from 5-8 p.m., in the
funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the
MGH Fund or the Multiple Myeloma Research
Foundation. All are invited to sign Mike's online
guestbook at www.CollinsFuneral.com
This information was last updated 02/27/2015
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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