Framingham Town Meeting moderator, Ed Noonan, dies at 76

By Jaclyn Reiss, Town Correspondent

Edward Noonan, Framingham's Town Meeting moderator and an involved Framingham citizen for many years, died on Tuesday at his home.

Noonan served as a Framingham Town Meeting member for 14 years, was a member of the Capital Budget Committee for seven years, and served as the Town Moderator for eight years, according to his obituary.

Framingham Selectman Dennis Giombetti said that Noonan's death is a big loss to the town.

"Ed loved Framingham, and had great passion for Framingham," Giombetti said. "He will be missed."

State Representative Chris Walsh, a Framingham Democrat, said he was deeply saddened by Noonan's passing.

"He was a personal friend who was a passionate and energized person who cared deeply about the Town of Framingham and the way government operated," Walsh said in a statement. "The Town of Framingham has a large void to fill with his passing. My thoughts go out to his wife and the entire Noonan family at this difficult time.”

Framingham Town Clerk Valerie Mulvey said Noonan was her colleague and friend, describing him as a devoted family man who was enjoying retirement, travel, and spending time with his wife.

"Ed was a strong advocate for Town Meeting and insisted on respect for our legislative branch and its members," Mulvey wrote in an email. "He was a true public servant who generously shared his time, talent and wisdom for the benefit of Framingham. His impact was considerable. His hard work and commitment will be greatly missed."

Mulvey said that she and her staff enjoyed Noonan's visits to the clerk's office, adding that he was always cheerful and respectful.

"Ed genuinely appreciated working collaboratively with Assistant Town Clerk Lisa Ferguson and me to ensure that town meeting would operate smoothly and we genuinely appreciated his thoughtfulness," Mulvey wrote.

Noonan was married to his wife, Judith, for 51 years, according to Noonan's obituary. He is survived by his three grown children, 10 grandchildren, and two siblings.

Noonan served in the US Army as a corporal during the Korean War, and graduated from Ohio University in 1960 before attending Northeastern University in Boston, where he received his M.B.A.

Noonan owned Ed Noonan Associates in Framingham, where he was a manufacturers representative.

He was also very involved in Boy Scouts, serving in many capacities when his sons were active in Troop 12 of Framingham, according to his obituary.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral service at Plymouth Church, 87 Edgell Rd. in Framingham, on Friday, June 29 at 10 a.m. The burial will be private at a later date.

Visiting hours at the Norton Funeral Home, located at 53 Beech Street in Framingham, will be Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in his memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Rd., Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256; or to American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01702.

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Jaclyn Reiss can be reached at jaclyn.reiss@globe.com