Holly  Jean  Wade – 29, of North Reading,  passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully, on December 22, 2018. Holly will always be remembered by her family as a strong, independent, young woman with a fiery and sassy spirit. Her proudest moment will always be the birth of her new daughter, Gianna.

She was the best “auntie” and “sistah” ever. Holly loves cooking, doing makeup and being surrounded by her family.

Holly leaves behind many loved ones which include her daughter, Gianna, her parents, Baxter “John” Wade and Joddie Wade; her brothers, Baxter Wade, Jr., Nicholas and his wife, Jen, Jesse Wade, Tyler Wade and his wife Leigha, her always “sistah” Jillian and her husband, Joshua Burke and her Aunt Patricia. Holly will be deeply missed by her nephews Logan, Nicholas, Conner, Colin and her special niece and makeup partner, Ava. Holly also leaves behind Jefferson Ferreira, the father of her child. Holly is also survived by many loving grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends aplenty.

Calling hours will be held at Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading, MA 01864 on Saturday, December 29 from 2:00 to 5:30 pm, followed by a short service from 5:30 to 6:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Norman M. Baxter – Longtime North Reading, MA resident and 50 year employee of HP Hood & Sons.

Born on October 29, 1930 in Somerville, MA, where he was a graduate of the Class of 1948. Son of the late Melbourne R. & Ada P. (Whooten) Baxter, and is survived by his wife of 60 plus years, Caroline M. (Downey) Baxter, 6 children: Glenn N. Baxter and his wife Patti of Melrose MA, Gail A. Middleton and her husband Bruce of Pembroke NH, Gary K. Baxter and his wife Donna of No. Reading, MA, Gay L. Luoto and her husband Rick of Hampstead NH, Genell R. Pike and her husband Robert of Bolton Landing, NY, Grant W. Baxter and his wife Sharon of No. Reading, MA, 13 Grandchildren, and 5 Great Grandchildren.

Norman served in the US Marine Corps during the Korean War. Norman was a 44-year resident of North Reading before moving to Hampstead, NH. He was a member of the Union Congregational Church where in the early days he served as President of the Mens and the Couple’s Clubs. He was an adviser to the youth group for two years and chaperoned memorable youth trips to Washington D.C. Norman was elected in the 1950’s as a Fence Viewer for North Reading, serving 2 years. He was an honorary 50 year member of the NR Masonic Lodge AF&AM, serving 15 years as secretary. He was also a member of the Mt Carmel Chapter of Eastern Star. He served as Chairman of Most Worshipful Fred K. Bauer’s reception when he became Grand Master of Mason for MA. HP Hood employed him for 50 years both active and retired. He began as a driver, then attended the management training program while managing a chain of Penguin Ice Cream stores until he was promoted to the Hood Personnel Department. He served as the President of the Hood Mutual Benefit Assoc. 1974 – 1975, Director of the HP Hood Federal Credit Union for over 20 years as well as being the past president of the NE Assoc. of Suggestion Systems, and then Human Resource Manager at HP Hood until he retired in 1987.

Norman didn’t know the meaning of the word retire and continued working another 18 years for HP Hood as a college recruiter, Quarter Century Club functions, as well as serving on the Charles H. Hood fund board of directors for four years. He worked as a part-time sales person for Meltzer Furniture in NR and as a Maître-d, part-time at the Kernwood Restaurant in Lynnfield, MA. After surviving and recovering from a brain aneurysm at age 70, you could see him in later years taking care of Ipswich River Park, NR during the early morning hours always in his shorts, until the first snowfall. He drove for Liberty Chevrolet parts department for many years into his 80’s. He and his wife enjoyed a summer home in Kennebunkport, ME for many years while raising their family. After retirement they wintered in Venice, FL as well as traveling to Canada a few times a year. He was a hardworking, devoted husband father and grandfather always there to lend a hand washing a car or two or three! He will be remembered for his work ethic, his love for family, landscaping, chopping firewood, driving, and loved cars, old and new. He will be sorely missed and never forgotten.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the North Reading Masonic Lodge A.F. & A. M or Constellation Health Services of MA & NH. A Memorial Service  has been arranged for January 5, 2019 at 11 a.m. at the Union Congregational Church, Haverhill Street, North Reading, MA. Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading.  www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Lois  M. (Egan) Chochrek – 79, of North Reading and formerly of Woburn, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, December 2, 2018 at the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington. She was the beloved wife of the late Frank S. Chochrek.

Born in Arlington, MA on May 23, 1939. She was the daughter of the late Frederick Egan and Doris (Dugan) Meloon. Lois was a graduate of Arlington High School and she attended Middlesex Community College.

Lois worked for the North Reading Public Works Department as an Administrative Assistant for over 15 years. She also worked for over ten years as a Sacristan at the Church of St. Theresa in North Reading, she was a Grade Coordinator for Religious Education and she received her Master Teachers Certificate in Religious Education from the Archdiocese. Lois served on the Parish Pastoral Council for many years and also served as a Eucharistic Minister. She has been a resident of North Reading for the past 32 years.

Lois showed God’s love to everyone that was blessed to cross her path. She accepted each person completely, without judgement and  looked at and focused on the good in each situation. Lois loved reading, crocheting and especially spending time with her family.

Family members include her loving sons, Michael Chochrek and his wife Marie of Salisbury and Thomas Chochrek and his wife Donna of St. Petersburg, FL; daughters, Cheryl Chochrek and her husband Bill Schiek of Georgetown, Sandra Graham and her companion Wesley Mills of Wells, ME, Wendy Chochrek of North Reading and Lisa Chochrek and her companion Michael Ryan of Wakefield; brothers, Gary Egan and his wife Jean, Stephen Meloon;  sister, Shannon Balletto and her husband Robert, late sister, Rita Bellino and her late husband Samuel ; 10 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.

Her funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Friday, December 7 at 12:45 PM, followed by at 2:00 PM Funeral Mass at the Church of St. Theresa, 63 Winter Street (Rt. 62), North Reading. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, December 6 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation may be made in Lois’s memory to: Toys for Tots or the charity of one’s choice.  www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Lillian  (Goldberg)  Grossman  – 102, of Peabody, formerly of Sarasota, FL, Newark and Livingston, NJ, died Thursday, November 29, 2018 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers. She was the beloved wife of the late Bernard Grossman.

Born in Newark, New Jersey on September 28, 1916. She was the daughter of the late Hyman and Sarah Goldberg.

Lillian was a secretary for the Guidance Department at Columbia High School in Maplewood, New Jersey.

She was a very independent woman and lived independently until the age of 100. Lillian loved to travel, she enjoyed reading, opera, movies and was passionate about the theatre. She was an advanced/expert level bridge player, who was always up for a scrabble game. She has been a resident of Brooksby Village for the past 8 years.

Family members include her loving sons, Paul Grossman and his wife Jean Clark of North Reading and Dennis Grossman of Los Angeles, CA; three grandchildren, Sarah Grossman and her husband Peter Gallagher of Plaistow, NH, Emily Grossman of Amesbury and Jessie Hancock and her husband Scott of San Diego, CA and six great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be private at a later date. The family suggests memorial donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Alexander  T.  Fairweather – 90, of North Reading and formerly of Wilmington, died unexpectedly at his home on Friday, November 30, 2018.

Born in Somerville, MA on October 31, 1928. He was the son of the late Alexander and Mary Jane (Scott) Fairweather. He was raised and educated in Wilmington and graduated from Wilmington High School, Class of 1948.

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy, during the Korean War from 1950 to 1954, he served on the USS Howard Gilmore and he received an honorable discharge.

Alex went into the plumbing trade, he was member of the Plumbing Local 12 in Boston, 283 in Lawrence and Local 138 in Salem.

He loved his family, hunting and fishing, his boat, playing the drums and listening to classical music. Alex was also an avid Patriot fan. He has been a resident of North Reading for 55 years.

Family members include his loving wife of 56 years, Joan A. (Turner) Fairweather; his son, Lee Fairweather and his wife Evelyn; his grandson, Scott Fairweather and late grandson, Joseph Fairweather; he was the brother of the late James Fairweather, Betty Long and Mary Hollenbeck.

Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com