Richard J. Mortimer Sr., 83, of Coplay, died Nov. 8, 2020, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg. He was the husband of Hilda (Deutsch) Mortimer for 61 years.

Born in Coplay, he was a son of the late Joshua and Bessie (Bennett) Mortimer.

He was a Class of 1955 graduate of the former Coplay High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the former Kutztown State Teacher’s College in 1959 and earned a master’s degree in education from Lehigh University in 1964.

He was a Bethlehem Area School District educator for 38 years. He was an elementary school teacher at the Buchanan School and then taught at Northeast Middle School until he retired in 1997.

He was a long-standing member of Coplay Borough Council. He was a life member of both Coplay American Club and Coplay Saengerbund and was a member of Coplay American Legion Post 426.

He was a member of Coplay Lions Club, where he was a former president, treasurer and district zone chairman. He received the 2008 Melvin Jones Award, the Lions highest award. He was a former Cub master for the Cub Scout Troop at St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, Coplay. He was a former member of the former Blue Ridge Country Club, Palmerton.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Christine and her husband Alan Schmall of Northampton; three sons, Richard J. Jr. and his wife Corinne, Russell and Matthew and his wife Roberta, all of Whitehall; seven grandchildren, Lindsay, Caitlin, Ian, Evan, Elliot, Lauren and Amanda; and a great-granddaughter, Arya Violet.

He was predeceased by three sisters, Shirley, Jean and Dorothy; and two brothers, Thomas and Joshua.

Services will be private.

Contributions may be made to Coplay Lions Club, c/o the funeral home, 2119 Washington Ave., Northampton, 18067.

Arrangements were made by Schisler Funeral Home Inc.