William  Francis  Cavanaugh, age 79, passed away on May 15, 2019 at the Pleasant Valley Nursing Center in Derry, NH. Bill had been a resident of North Reading for 56 years. Born and raised in Reading, he was the son of the late James and Mary (Burke) Cavanaugh. He was predeceased by his loving wife, JoAnn (Wright) Cavanaugh, brothers James, Bernard, Joseph, and Richard Cavanaugh, and sisters Mary Ouellette and Gertrude Doucette.

Bill came from a large Irish Catholic family. He met his wife JoAnn, the love of his life, in high school. He was a family man who enjoyed practical jokes and had a great sense of humor but was always there to support his friends and family.

He was a man of many trades and was an honest hard worker. At the beginning of his career, he worked at a veterinary practice in Wakefield and picked up extra work at his father in-law’s tannery in Beverly. For a while, he became an apprentice plumber in North Reading. He also served as a Special Police Officer for the North Reading Police Department. Eventually he took over his father’s card as a longshoreman at the Boston docks in his late 20’s and ended his career there as a welder many years later.

Bill’s lifestyle was very active, and included bike riding, cross country skiing, white water rafting, Irish music festivals and basketball. He was an active member of the North Reading softball team with his son, Billy.

In retirement, he continued to go to the gym every morning, and still enjoyed dancing with the girls, and golfing with his buddies. Bill was a well-known early bird and was always the first to arrive at a party. He loved spending time with his family and was keenly interested in his grandchildren’s lives.

Bill was a proud, determined and caring man who always put his family first. Those of us who were close to him will always remember a loving friend, brother, uncle, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Bill is survived by his daughter Debra Vine and her husband James, his son William Cavanaugh Jr. and his wife Patti, his brother Donald and sisters Ruth Parrin, Barbara Barrett, Patricia O’Donnell, Joan and Carol Cavanaugh and Dorothy O’Keefe, along with his grandchildren Melissa Jackson and her husband Brandon, Kirsten and Kyle Vine, and great-grandson Thomas Enquist. He also leaves numerous nieces and nephews. Bill’s love, wisdom, and humor live on in the faces and voices of those of us who miss him already.

Funeral service at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading on Tuesday, May 21 at 11 AM. Visitation on Monday, May 20 from 5 to 8 PM. Burial at Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Brian  E.  Sweetland – 59, of North Reading, died unexpectedly on Sunday, May 12, 2019.

Born in Melrose, MA on November 30, 1959. He was a lifelong resident of North Reading. Brian was a graduate of North Reading High School and a retired truck driver for the Wakefield Concrete Company. He was also a member of the Teamster’s Union, the First Baptist Church in Wakefield and a former member of the First Baptist Church in North Reading.

He was a loving, caring and sensitive son, husband, stepfather, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He was always willing to help his family and friends with his many talents.

He was a hands-on guy who spent endless hours tinkering with engines, beginning as a young boy at Larkin Lawnmowers. From there his interests grew into a passion for motorcycles and riding; for which his talents were remarkable. He could usually be found outdoors; especially in warm weather when he could enjoy the pool he built with the help of friends and family.

Family members include his loving wife Karen (Sheppard) Sweetland; his daughters Jennifer Curley and Jessica Donaldson and her husband Jared; his parents Ralph “Jack” and Priscilla (Burleigh) Sweetland; his mother-in-law Lorraine Sheppard; his brother Karl Sweetland and his wife Kim; sisters Kristine Sweetland and the late Lissa Sweetland; grandchildren R.J., Jordan Emma, Sydney  and Jack; his niece Gabrielle and nephews Joshua and Tristan; close friends William (Billy) Mitchell, Robert (Bobby) O’Keefe and Charles (Big Daddy) Kilgore; also many, many friends and adored extended family.

Visitation will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Sunday, May 19 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM and Monday, May 20 from 10:15 to 11:15 AM, a Funeral Service will start at 11:30 AM. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to: National Suicide Prevention, hotline@ 1-800-273-TALK (8255). World Suicide Prevention day is Sept. 10, 2019. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Anna  Josephine  Louise (Tryder) Berner – 87, Of Andover, passed away surrounded by her family at her home on Wednesday, May 8, 2019. She was the beloved wife of the late Norman E. Berner.

Born in Chelsea, MA on June 3, 1931, she was the daughter of the late William M. B.  Tryder, Sr. and Annie (Flavin) Tryder. Anna was a graduate of Chelsea High School. She has been a resident of Andover for the past 52 years. She was a homemaker, was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother and was affectionately called Nana by many.

Anna made everyone feel special and always had a smile. She loved being surrounded by extended family and enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s sports games. Anna loved spending summers at Keoka Beach for 53 years with her siblings and families.

Family members include her loving sons, Norman E. Berner, Jr., Stephen X. Berner and his wife Maria and her daughter, Lisa Layman and her husband Rob, all of Andover; loving sister of Robert C. Tryder of Reading, the late Dorothy, William, John, Mildred, James, Evelyn and Irene; 5 loving grandchildren, Matthew (19), Abigail (17), Andrew (16) and Patrick Layman (14) and Jacqueline Berner (13); many loving nieces and nephews.

Her funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Wednesday, May 15 at 8:30 AM, followed by a 10:00 AM Funeral Mass at St. Augustine’s Church, 43 Essex Street, Andover. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, May 14 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Burial will be in Woodend Cemetery in Reading. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Mario J. Miani – 94, of North Reading, formerly of Ansonia, CT, passed on Monday, May 6, 2019 at Windsor Place of Wilmington.

Born in Derby, CT on August 9, 1924, son of the late Giuseppe and Giovina (DiGiovanni) Miani. He was a graduate of Derby High School, he attended 4 years at Bridgeport Engineering and 8 years of night school at Boston University.

Mario was a Conceptual Design Engineer, he worked on Missile Re-entry Systems, space satellites, under sea technology and lasers. He worked for AVCO Systems Division in Wilmington for 16 years, AVCO Everett Research Division in Everett for 14 years and Science Research Lab for 5 years.

Mario loved working on cars, especially Fiats and Chryslers, DIY projects and bowling. He loved the Patriots and most of all spending time with his family.

He has been a resident of North Reading for over 61 years. He was a member of St. Theresa’s Church and the Knights of Columbus.

Family members include his loving wife of over 66 years, Eleanor G. (Derry) Miani; He was a proud and loving father of three, Cathy Lynn Mizzell and her husband George of Birmingham, AL, Barbara A. Bochart and her husband Thomas of Tewksbury and Thomas J. Miani Sr. and his wife Joan of Methuen; he was the brother of the late Peter and Dino Miani and Hilda Testone;  grandfather of 5 grandchildren, Elizabeth “Betsy” Colon, Andrew Bochart, Thomas Miani, Jr., Gina Miani, Robert Mizzell; one great grandchild, Tayla-Rae Colon; and his very close dear friend, Milan Tekula and his wife Dorothy of Saugus and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Friday, May 10 from 9 to 10:30 AM, followed by an 11 AM Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street (Rt. 62), North Reading. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in his memory the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701 or Hospice Services of Massachusetts, 391 Broadway Street, Everett, MA 02149. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Victoria R. Boniface, of North Reading, formerly of Lynn and East Boston, died Saturday, May 4, 2019. She was the beloved wife of the late Peter N. Boniface.

Born in Boston, MA, she was the daughter of the late Ettore and Rachael (LaPegna) DeRota. She was raised and attended school in East Boston. Victoria has been a resident of North Reading for the past 60 years and a member of St. Theresa’s Church.

Vickie was a very social, outgoing and fun-loving person. She loved her family and friends. She enjoyed cooking, baking and entertaining for the holidays. She was a wonderful cook and loved to fill a bountiful holiday table with homemade ravioli, eggplant, desserts and many wonderful family recipes. She enjoyed bingo, bowling and going on bus trips to Foxwoods with her many friends, as well as participating in activities and special events at the Senior Center. She was happiest when she was with people, making them smile with her special sweetness.

Family members include her loving son, Nicholas Boniface and his wife Linda and daughter, Sandra Wandell, all of North Reading; her sister, Olga Elliott of Winthrop; she was the sister of the late Ralph DeRota, Mary Kovacev, Clara Marcucella and Lydia  Spoletti.

Visitation will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Wednesday, May 8 from 9 to 10 AM, followed by a 10:30 AM Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street (Rt. 62), North Reading. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959. www.croswellfuneralhome.com