Madeline H. (Reynolds) Adams – 87, of Reading and formerly of North Reading, passed away, Thursday morning, December 12, 2019 at the Bear Mountain Nursing Home in Reading, after a lengthy illness.

Born in Winterport, ME on March 30, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Everett and Lillie (Danielson) Reynolds. She attended Lynn Public Schools and worked at the Harvard Folding Box Company in Lynn.

Madeline Adams, known as “Maddie” to her friends, filled many roles in her 87 years. She was a hardworking woman with a kind heart. She was mother to four daughters, who will be forever grateful for her devotion to her family. Then in 1976, Maddie became a grandmother, and from that day forward became affectionately known as “Nana Banana.” In that instant, she stepped into the role of her lifetime.

Since then, Maddie was blessed with 14 grandchildren. She wrapped each in her immense affection, which continually blossomed as the family grew. She was fierce and loyal protector. Her generosity was boundless. While she always wanted to shower her grandchildren with gifts, it was not the material goodies that meant the most; it was her generosity of time.

Despite working a full-time job, Maddie gave all of her extra time and energy to her grandchildren, who were always welcomed at Nana’s place.

Maddie was both caring and compassionate, but could also be feisty and mischievous. It was these combined traits that made her special. Moments spent in her company will live on as precious memories.

As the years passed, she was thrilled to see the next generation born. One by one, her love extended to reach 22 great-grandchildren, with her 23^rd great-grandchild expected in a few months. While her energy naturally waned, her love remained as potent as ever. The family will carry this love with them always.

Family members include her loving daughters, Donna Kwiatek and her husband Michael of Lynn, Cheryl O’Connell and her husband Bob of North Chelmsford, Terry Gill and her husband Dave of North Reading and April Adams of Gainesville, FL; her late brother, Everett Reynolds and late sister, Marilyn Sisson; 14 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be private and are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to: Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

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, 6^th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445-7226.

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 – 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

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