All posts by Carol Croswell

Patricia A. Rogers

Patricia A. (Fisher) Rogers – 79, of Newburyport and formerly of North Reading, passed away on Monday evening, December 9, 2019, at the Port Healthcare Center in Newburyport.

Born in Boston, MA on October 5, 1940. She was the daughter of the late William A. and Irene A. (Ritchie) Fisher. She was a graduate of Saint Augustine’s in Andover, North Reading High School, Middlesex Community College and New Hampshire College. Pat was a former resident of North Reading from 1945 to 1971 and a member of St. Theresa’s Church.

Pat was an Executive Assistant for the Raytheon Service Company in Burlington and was a teacher for Sunset Heights Elementary School in Nashua, NH.

She was dedicated for many years to children with special needs. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother and had an undying allegiance to the Boston Red Sox. She enjoyed golf, travel, dancing and volunteer work.

Family members include her loving daughters, Kelly J. Gulla and her husband Peter of Norfolk, Susan Jean Madden and her husband Charles of North Reading, Alison Holt and her husband Timothy of Nashua, NH and Jennifer Guild and her husband Adam of Newburyport; her brother, the late William Fisher; sisters, Irene Smith of Omaha NE and Jean Sharp of Lunenburg; 8 cherished grandchildren, Lauren Elizabeth Gulla, Elizabeth C. and Andrew T. Gulla, William C. Madden, Audrey L. and Patrick F. Holt, Megan P. and Benjamin F. Guild; and 2 great grandchildren; Isabella P. and Eisley R. Madden.

Her funeral will be held on Saturday, December 28 at 10:30 AM at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street (Rt.62), North Reading. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 27 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445-7226.

Lawrence A. Dysart, Jr.

Lawrence  A. Dysart, Jr. – 78, of North Reading, died peacefully at his home on Monday, December 2, 2019.

Born in Pittsfield, Maine on March 12, 1941. He was the son of the late Lawrence and Mabel Irene (Clough) Dysart. He was a graduate of Maine Central Institute; Boston College and he received his PhD in Mathematics from Northeastern University.  

Larry moved to North Reading to teach math at Merrimack College. He later went on to work 30 years as a Software Engineer at Parametric Technology (formerly Computer Vision / Prime Computers).

He has been a resident of North Reading since 1970 and was a member of St. Theresa’s Church. He founded the North Reading Youth Basketball program in the 1970’s and nurtured it for the next forty-five years. If you’ve been involved in any way, Larry had an impact on you. He was also involved with the North Reading Recreation Committee, Little League and Youth Softball. He also gave his time to many other programs in town (including music and theater in the schools), volunteering too many hours to count. Larry always had a smile; he was a great conversationalist and a terrific basketball player. Larry also traveled on Middle School trips, including the famous Charlie Jones trips for years, even after his own children had moved on.

At a recent Select Board meeting at the Town Hall, which included Select Board members, State Senator Bruce Tarr, State Representative Brad Jones and a room filled with many old friends who came to honor Larry, family members accepted on his behalf, many heartfelt accolades and tributes for his 40 plus years of dedication to the youth of North Reading, particularly as a coach, mentor and founder of North Reading Youth Basketball.

Family members include his loving wife of 55 years, Mary Lou (McClelland) Dysart; sons, Lawrence A. “Lad” Dysart, III and his wife Susan of Haverhill and Peter B. Dysart and his wife Jan of Richfield, MN; his daughter, Elizabeth “Buffy” Rymill and her husband Jerry of North Reading; sisters, Mary Quint of Pittsfield, ME and the late Nancy Veilleux; grandchildren, Amanda Dysart of Haverhill, Andrew Dysart and his fiancée Trixie Vazquez of Manchester, NH; Patrick and Kate Dysart of Richfield, MN and Declan  and Ainsley Rymill of North Reading; and practically family, the MacTaylors of Salem.

His funeral will be held on Monday, December 16 at 11 AM at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street (Rt. 62), North Reading. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, December 15 from 3 to 7 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to a community program of your choice or: Voices Of Hope, 171 Park Street, Stoneham, MA 02180, c/o Ed Siegal

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Matthew D. Carr

Matthew D. Carr – 31, of Danvers, formerly of Dracut and North Reading, died unexpectedly on Sunday, November 24, 2019.

Born in Stoneham, MA on September 12, 1988. He attended school at the North Reading L.D. Batchelder School and Middle School, Dracut Middle and High Schools and Danvers High School.

Matt was a line cook for Buffalo Wild Wing’s in Danvers and has been a resident of Danvers for the past 15 years.

He cared greatly for others and would give the shirt off his back. He stood firm on his beliefs and never backed down. Matt treated everyone as an equal. He loved to be around his friends and family. He was very intelligent and very humble.

Matt loved animals and nature. He was a very talented artist and musician. He loved playing all types of music and also wrote his own. He played guitar, bass and the drums. Matt loved rock, metal, punk and ska, but enjoyed most other types as well.

Family members include his loving father, David J. Carr and his late mother, Beth Ann Carr; his stepmother, Kim Carr; his brother, Cory Carr and his wife Alyssa and their daughter, Matt’s niece, Olivia; his sisters, Meaghan Carr and Jordan Ciaramitaro; also many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, December 4 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Interment will be held on Thursday, December 5 at 10:00 AM in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to any local animal shelter or to addiction recovery charities. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Cecil R. Craig

Mr. Cecil Robert Craig, the son of the late Callie E. and Gertrude B. (Massey) Craig, was born August 24, 1927 in Waxhaw, North Carolina, and departed this earthly life on November 21, 2019 at Atria Marland Place in Andover, Massachusetts at 4:30 a.m.

Cecil, affectionately known as Brother Ces, Mr. Craig, Mr. C, Uncle Cecil, Papa and Daddy, accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior as a child, and was a spiritual inspiration to all who encountered him. Cecil was a member of The West Medford Baptist Church in West Medford, Massachusetts.

Cecil received his formal education through the Union County School System and attended Western Union High School in Marvin, North Carolina. He enlisted into the United States Army in 1946 and was later transferred to the United States Army Air Force in 1948. He attended Brooklyn College in Brooklyn, New York, where he earned his Associate’s Degree.

Cecil married the late Mercedes Chambers in 1953. From this union was born the late Sheryl (Blowe) and Kevin Craig.

Cecil later relocated to Roxbury, Massachusetts where he met and married Dorothy Ann Newton. From this union was born, Karen, Vincent and Theresa Craig. Cecil and his family lived in West Medford for over 40 years.

Cecil worked for Chomerics in Woburn, Massachusetts as an Engineer and later became a supervisor. Cecil later became a proud independent cab owner in the Boston Metro area from where he retired.

Cecil was a raised Master Mason in the Eureka Lodge #8 from 1982-1990 at Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Boston, Massachusetts. Cecil was a member of the AA Fellowship for 43 years. Cecil was also on the Board of Directors as the Treasurer for 12 years at the West Medford Community Center in West Medford, Massachusetts.

Cecil enjoyed fishing and loved gardening; he grew tomatoes, green beans and a variety of other vegetables, where he felt in touch with the beauty of nature and his southern roots. He loved playing horseshoes with his grandson, Robert.

Cecil was preceded in death by his sisters, Calberta Craig McManus, Theresa Craig Black, Dr. Doris Craig Wingate, Marion Craig, and Vernell Craig Stevens, and his brothers, Booker T. Craig and Clinton Craig, Sr.

Cecil leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Dorothy Ann, children Kevin Craig, Karen Craig (Charles Bennett), Vincent Craig (Latisha) and Theresa Craig, and two sisters, Virginia Carter, O’Leatha Ann Amazigo, two aunts, Margie Crockett and Bleeka Nelson, nine grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Visitation will be held at the Andover Baptist Church, 7 Central Street, Andover on Saturday, November 30 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, followed by the Funeral Service at 1:00 pm.  www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Lucille M. Veader

In Loving Memory of Lucille M. Veader
 December 13, 1928 – November 19, 2019 
 

                Lucille M. Veader formerly of East Boston residing in Reading, MA for many years, passed away peacefully in her own home on the 19th of November 2019, surrounded by her closest cousins and loved ones. She is the late sister of Gerard Veader and the late daughter of Francis and Angelina Polcari-Veader. She is survived by her cherished goddaughter Janine Sciuto and her husband Paul Sciuto, closest cousins Marie A. Rizzo, Grace A. Kennedy-Turcketta, the late Richard A. Rizzo, and John Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline Kennedy. Lucille is also survived by many cousins and special friends.

                As we all know how steadfast and strong-willed Lucille was, she had a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone. She adored her young cousins, Analise Sciuto, Gillian Sciuto, Michael Sciuto, Leah Kennedy and Luke Kennedy. She was known to have an abundant display of all their photos throughout her home. Lucille frequently spent her time surrounded by much of her family and friends, gathered around the table telling stories, sharing laughs, and drinking Lucille’s famous Brandy Alexander.

A tremendous thank you to Carolyn M, Susan G, Paula A.K.A “Laura” and Margarita at All Care Hospice Inc. who gave Lucille the best of care right up to the end of her life. As well as a special thank you to Rochelle M and Susan D at Mystic Valley Elder Services for all their patience and kindness throughout the years.

A special message to a good friend of Lucille’s, Carolyn Cassidy, thank you for the many years of laughs and good company that you have brought Lucille. Your kindness, love, and support will always be cherished and remembered.

Graveside services will be held at Woodbrook Cemetery in Woburn on Monday November 25, at 11 AM. There will be no calling hours. Arrangements are by Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. In lieu of flowers, donations to be made in Lucille’s name can be made to All Care Hospice Inc. 210 Market St., Lynn, MA 01901, Mystic Valley Elder Services, 300 Commercial St., No. 19, Malden, MA 02148 and Northeast Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Ave., Salem, MA 01970. www.croswellfuneralhome.com