Donald G. Hitchins – 68, of Andover and formerly of North Reading, died Friday, September 27, 2019 at the Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley in Billerica.

Donald was born in Chelsea, MA on March 2, 1951. He was the son of the late Arthur P. and Philomena (Grieco) Hitchins. Don was raised and attended school in North Reading and was a graduate of North Reading High, Class of 1969. He has been a resident of Andover since 1978. For over 38 years, he worked out of Boston’s Logan Airport for Northwest and Delta Airlines as a District Operations Manager, Plant Maintenance Manager, and Ground Service Equipment Mechanic. Donnie was a tireless and dedicated employee who received countless awards and accolades for his achievements. He retired in 2016.

From rebuilding industrial diesel engines and front end loaders, to tinkering on cars and lawnmowers in the driveway, Don was known as a brilliant mechanic. Both his peers and family would tell you that there was never anything that “Diesel Don” couldn’t fix.

Donald also took great pride in serving as a civilian contractor with the United States Air Force in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Shield-Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. For his distinguished service, Don received several of the highest honors and medals awarded to civilians serving our U.S. military.

In retirement, his biggest joys came from walking in the woods with his dog Duncan, mowing the lawn, snow-blowing the driveway, tinkering in the basement, frequent trips to Dunkin Donuts, telling his children to visit more often and drive slower, but most especially chasing his granddaughter around the house and feeding her too many Oreos.

Donald loved his family with all of his heart. Family members include his loving wife Sandra J. (Fraser) Hitchins; his son, Todd Hitchins and wife Celia; daughters, Amanda (Hitchins) Lee and her husband Michael, Jesse Hitchins and her partner Andrew Luttrell; brothers, Fred Hitchins and his wife Deborah, Robert Hitchins and his wife Ellen; sisters, Barbara Zeimetz and her husband Anthony, Kathleen Gallant and her husband Timothy; two grandchildren, Annika and Kellan Lee.

His memorial service will be held on Wednesday, October 2, at 10:30 AM at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 6 Locke Street in Andover. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 1 from 3 to 7 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Burial will be private. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to North Reading Veteran’s Gift Account, 235 North Street (Town Hall), North Reading, MA 01864, att. Susan Magner. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Rose  Marie  (LaMarre) Darisse– 78, of Middleton and formerly of Salem, MA died Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at the Steward Holy Family Hospital in Methuen. She was the beloved wife of the late Lionel R. Darisse.

Born in Salem, MA on January 1, 1941. She was the daughter of the late Joseph LaMarre and Rosa (Brochu) LaMarre. She was raised in Salem and was a graduate of St. Joseph’s Academy in Salem, Class of 1959.

Rose worked as an Assembler for Analogic, she also worked for Putnam Pantries and for housekeeping at Extended Stay America. Rose has been a resident of Middleton for the past 55 years and was a member of St. Agnes Church.

Rose had a passion for gardening. She loved dogs, watching birds and wildlife. She loved nature and the outdoors. Rose especially loved cooking and was a great pie maker, most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family.

Family members include her loving sons, Charles Darisse and his wife Orlena of Haverhill, Ronald Darisse and his wife Vikki of Salem, NH, Brian Darisse and his wife Nicki of Pelham, NH and Rene Darisse and his wife Cheryl of Hudson, NH; her daughter, Michelle Gilbert and her husband Gerard of Haverhill; her sister, Martha Diebner of Bristol, NH;  grandchildren Peter and Paul Muzichuk, Jr., Kailee, Cassandra and Chantel Darisse, Amber Jones, Montana, Brianna, Joseph, Trevor, Jeremy, and Thomas Darisse, and the late Amanda Muzichuk.

Her funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Monday, September 30 at 9 AM, followed by a 10:30 AM Funeral Mass at St. Agnes Church, 22 Boston Street, Middleton. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 1 to 4 PM. Burial will be in Oakdale Cemetery in Middleton. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Margo L. (Curran) Guzowski – 79, died Monday, September 23, 2019 at the MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham. She was the beloved wife of the late Daniel P. Guzowski.

Born in Portland, Maine on June 1,1940. She was the daughter of the late John F. and Amelia (Deluna) Curran. She was a graduate of Portland High School.

Margo was a retired Sales Associate for Macy’s Department Store in Peabody. She was a member of St. Theresa’s Church in North Reading, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister.

She had a quick wit, beautiful sense of style, and had many friends. Margo was extremely generous, had a strong faith and loved her family more than anything. In the past, she enjoyed tennis and golfing, decorating, traveling, fashion, baking and most of all spending time with her family.

Family members include her loving daughters, Danielle Cathleen Volpe and Michelle Anne Litavis; four grandchildren, Annica Taylor Litavis, Ricky Daniel Litavis, Paxton Jay Volpe and Sara Nicole Volpe.

Her Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, September 28 at 10:00 AM at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street (Rt. 62), North Reading. Visitation will be held on Friday, September 27 from 5 to 8:30 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Burial will be in Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence. The family request in lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.

Robert  J.  “Bob”  MacDonald – 84, of North Reading and formerly of Malden, died Tuesday, September 17, 2019, at the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington.

Born in Cambridge, MA on October 23, 1934, he was the son of the late Charles and Edna (Litchfield) MacDonald. Bob was raised in Malden and was a graduate of Malden Vocational School.

Bob worked as a carpenter for A & A Windows in Malden for many years. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He has been a resident of North Reading for the past 51 years.

Family members include his loving wife of 62 years, Nancy (Monahan) MacDonald; his daughters, Cheryl Gauthier, Ruth Bernard and Susan Warren; his brother, Donald MacDonald; 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

His funeral will be held at the Trinity Evangelical Church, 105 Haverhill Street, North Reading on Monday, September 23 at 10:00 AM. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, September 22 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Gail  I. (Fudge) Nelson – 76, of Nashua, NH, formerly of North Reading and Lynnfield, died on Saturday, September 14, 2019 at Langdon Place in Nashua, NH. She was the beloved wife of 53 years to the late Allan R. Nelson.

Born in St. Johnsbury, VT on December 5, 1942. She was the daughter of the late George and Madeline (Rash) Fudge.  Gail was a graduate of Lynnfield High School and Vesper George Art School in Boston. She was also awarded a Scholarship to Mass Art School Summer Program in Boston.

Gail was a secretary for the Sagamore Fuel Company, Inc. in Lynn. She was a former resident of North Reading for 55 years. She was a member of the Aldersgate United Methodist Church for many years, she also taught Vacation Bible School and was a Den Mother in Cub Scouts.

Family members include her loving sons, Russell W. Nelson and his fiancé Pamela Lee of Nashua, NH and Craig R. Nelson and his wife Ivy of Revere; grandchildren, Theo and Sarah Nelson; her sisters in-law, Janice A. Nelson and Norma L. Jones and her husband James; her nephews, Jimmy Jones and the late Jason Jones, all of Peabody.

Her funeral service will be held on Friday, September 20 at Noon at the Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 235 Park Street, North Reading. Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 19 from 7 to 9 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Burial will be in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Peabody. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the MSPCA, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844. www.croswellfuneralhome.com