James  “Jimmy”  Bezzati  –  65, of Amesbury and formerly of North Reading, passed away on Thursday, August 27, 2026 at the Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport.

He was born in Salem, MA on December 22, 1960, he was the son of the late John J., Sr. and Alice (McDonald) Bezzati. He was a graduate of Salem High School.

Jimmy worked for American Training for many years. He was a proud participant in the Special Olympics. He enjoyed watching WWE and Boston Sports. Jimmy brought Joy and laughter to everyone he met. He enjoyed Mickey Mouse and Santa Claus visits.

Family members include his loving brother Edward Bezzati; his sisters, Donna Mahoney and her husband Larry, Kathy DeAdder and her husband Robert, Patti Smith and her husband Jedd, Maryann MacKay and her husband Lance, his sister- in-law Joann Bezzati; he was the brother of the late John J. Bezzati, Jr.; also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

His funeral will be held on Friday, September 11 at 10:00 AM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 10 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to:  support.specialolympics.org

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Elaine Chabot (Briscoe) – 88, of North Reading, passed away after a brief illness on August 15, 2026. She was at home, surrounded by her children.

Elaine was born in Jamaica Plain, MA on October 16, 1937 to Charles and Helen (Peterson) Briscoe. She graduated from Blessed Sacrament School in 1955 and worked a variety of jobs before joining the Air Force in 1958, with hopes of becoming an airplane mechanic. Discharged in 1961, she continued in the Reserves until 1963, while working at the Northeastern Radiological Health Laboratory in Winchester. Elaine married laboratory co-worker, George Chabot, and after 15 years of night classes—while raising four children—she graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Industrial Technology from University of Lowell. Elaine served on the North Reading School Committee, where she was known for her rigorous demands for transparency, fairness, and attention to detail. She was an active citizen in North Reading town politics, as well as a member of the League of Women Voters.

Elaine was a dedicated volunteer, spending countless hours at her children’s schools and activities, supporting homebound seniors, and furthering the missions of St. Theresa Church, where she was a parishioner for 60 years. An amateur genealogist, she traveled across the States and as far as Germany in search of her family’s roots.

She was married for 63 years to her beloved husband, George Edward Chabot Jr., who preceded her in death on December 21, 2025. At home, she was known for her pie-making prowess, penchant for debate, frequent humming of tunes, fastidious methods of organizing, and joy while dancing.

Elaine lived with immense integrity and curiosity and leaves a legacy of lifelong learning and service that will live on through those who knew her.

She is survived by her children: Mark Chabot and his wife Kim of Andover, Brian Chabot and his wife Ruth of Lynn, Michelle Mehr and her husband Seth of Portland OR, and Kara DeGiovanni of Portland, OR. Grandchildren Nicolas and Amanda Chabot, Mae Lever, and Mazli Mehr. Sister Virginia Wynn, half-brother Douglas Briscoe, stepsister Ellen Bennett, and stepbrother John Bennett. Elaine is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, and extended family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association online at alz.org, phone 800-272-3900, or mail to P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.

Visitation will be Saturday, Aug, 22, from 9-10:30 am at Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading, MA 01864. Please note the visitation will end promptly at 10:30 am to allow time for travel to the 11:00 am Funeral Mass.

Her Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, Aug 22, at 11:00 am at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter St., North Reading, MA. 01864. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, North Reading.

www,croswellfuneralhome.com

William  Malvern  “Bill “ Pilote – 75, a longtime resident of North Reading, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 16, 2026 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Bill retired from GE, where he worked as a quality control inspector for 40 years. He proudly served in the United States Army as a UH-1 Helicopter Repairman, including a tour in Vietnam from May 1971 to May 1972, and was honorably discharged. His service was recognized in a Letter of Commendation for the aircraft maintenance personnel of Company C, 158th Aviation Battalion, 101st Airborne Division, cited as among the best in the Republic of Vietnam. His decorations included the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal with a Bronze Service Star.

His love of the outdoors kept him busy in his yard and on daily walks with his dog, Sadie. Bill was always sure to bring extra treats along for the neighborhood dogs. An avid golfer, he also treasured his time at his cabin in Holderness, NH.

Bill leaves his beloved wife, Maureen Pilote; his stepchildren, Tracy DeGregorio and her husband Richard, and William Brackett and his wife Lesley; and five grandchildren, Alec DeGregorio, Faith DeGregorio, Nolan DeGregorio, Annabelle Brackett, and Madeline Brackett. He is also survived by his sisters, Marcia (Pilote) Colella and Marilyn Pilote; his sister-in-law, Ruth Pilote; and his nephews, Mark, Scott, Anthony, and Keith. He was predeceased by his three brothers, David Pilote, Robert Pilote, and Don Pilote.

Bill will be dearly missed by his family and his fellow soldiers. All who knew him will remember him as a fabulous host for COTD.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation T2T.org to support our military and first responders who continue to make the supreme sacrifice of life and limb for our country.

Arrangements under the care of Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading, MA, (978) 664-3031. Visiting hours Wednesday, August 26, 5-7 PM and Thursday, August 27, 11AM to 11:45 AM, followed by interment at Riverside Cemetery in North Reading at Noon.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Wayne J. Williams – 75, of Danvers and formerly of North Reading for 55 years, passed away at Beverly Hospital on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.

Born in Ipswich, MA on October 4, 1950. He was the son of the late Joseph H. and Nancy K. (Innis) Williams. Wayne was retired from the Ann & Hope Department Store in Danvers, where he worked for several years.

Wayne was a quiet person who loved nature. He enjoyed walking the beach and spending time in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. He enjoyed listening to music, reading and watching movies.

Family members include his loving sisters, Pamela Griswold and her husband Keith of North Reading and Lynne Plomondon of Acton, Maine.

Services will be private and are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Doris M. (Despres) Pandolph -86, of Topsfield and formerly of Lynn, passed away on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. She was the daughter of the late Pacific and Emerise (LeBlanc) Despres. She was raised in Lynn and was a graduate of St. Jeans Baptiste School in Lynn.

Doris worked in the Hospitality field for over forty years. She was a member of the Trinity Evangelical Church in North Reading. She loved the Lord wholeheartedly and her faith was evident in the way she lived her life.

Doris loved her family fiercely!  She was proud of being a devoted wife, a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Doris was very creative and brought beauty to the world around her. Doris loved hosting family gatherings especially Christmas Eve, and she was well known for her beautifully wrapped gifts. Doris loved gardening and she loved to travel.

Family members include her loving husband of 38 years, Joseph Pandolph, previously married and widowed to Bernard Flaherty; sons, William Flaherty and wife Patricia, Robert Flaherty and Joseph Pandolph, Jr. and wife Carol; daughters; Kathleen Kinloch, Amy Richard and husband David and Mary Urbanek and husband Glenn; late brothers, Norman and Raymond Despres; brother-in-law, Vincent Pandolph and Charles DeSoto; sister-in-law Mary Despres, late sister-in-law, Elizabeth Pandolph; sisters, Stella Peterson and husband John and the late Jeanette DeSoto; 11 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.

Her funeral will be held on Wednesday, August 19 at 10:00 AM at the Trinity Evangelical Church, 105 Haverhill Street, North Reading. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, August 18 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Interment will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, 8 Haverhill Road in Topsfield. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice.  www.croswellfuneralhome.com