Chris J. March, 58, of North Reading passed away on February 2^nd, 2019.

Born on July 15^th, 1960 in Bournemouth, England, Chris grew up in Surrey and attended Kingston College then City University of London. Deciding against pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, he took a job and learned computer programming while working for Dairy Crest and the Milk Marketing Board.  He left England for Bermuda in 1986 to work for the Bank of Bermuda. While there, his hobbies included windsurfing and sound design and direction for local amateur theatre. He also enjoyed running with the local Hash House Harriers club, where he met his future wife. Moving to Massachusetts in 1995, Chris worked for Information Access Company, Thomson Technology, Gale Group, Cengage Learning and most recently EBSCO Information Systems. He was highly regarded by everyone he worked with; he was known for his patience, superior knowledge, work ethic, mentoring skills and sense of humor. He enjoyed woodworking, hiking and being active with his son’s scout pack and troop, coaching his daughter’s soccer and basketball teams, skiing, music, craft beer, riding his motorcycle and walking and playing with his dogs.

Chris is survived by his beloved family, wife Kerstin (Smith) March and children Tobias and Lucy; his loving mother Kay (Hall) March and sister Alison McIntyre, her husband Alex and their children Imogen and Joshua McIntyre of Nottingham, England. He also leaves behind many good mates in England, cousins in Australia and the extended Smith family of Toronto and Bermuda including Tomas and Allison of Bermuda, Annika and Dave of Toronto and his nieces Danielle, Kyla, Sarah and Leona Smith.

He will be so deeply missed by all; he was the nicest person, willing to do anything for anyone, and all who knew him adored him.

The family invites you to visit with them to remember Chris at the Hillview Country Club, 149 North Street, North Reading on Friday, February 15^th between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Cape Ann Animal Aid, 4 Paws Lane, Gloucester, MA, 01930. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Edith Nancy (Heselton) Almeida – 80, Of Hudson, NH, formerly of Haverhill and North Reading, MA  passed away peacefully at the Greenbrier Nursing Home in Nashua NH on Thursday, February 7, 2019 from a lengthy battle from Alzheimer’s Dementia Disease. Edith Nancy was the widow of the late Ronald Francis Gill of North Reading and the wife of Robert A. Almeida of Hudson NH.

Edith was pre-deceased by her parents Edith Viola Heselton Gallant and Frederick W. Heselton of North Reading, MA and her brother Frederick Heselton of Amesbury, MA.

She is survived by brothers Albert Heselton and wife Kay of Brooksville FL, Harold Heselton and wife Barbara of Peabody Mass; sisters Rita Melanson of Weeki Wachee FL, Brenda Fast and her Husband Jack of Brooksville FL and her children Nancy Bean and husband Robert of Epping NH, Rhonda Pineiro of Derry NH, Patrick Gill and his wife Patti of Haverhill MA, Michael Gill of Haverhill, MA, James Gill of Seabrook, NH and Scott and Amanda Gill of Haverhill, MA. 3 step children, Robin Gospodarek and her husband Mike of Nashua, NH, David Almeida and his wife Cheryl of Bethleham, NH and Tony Almeida and his wife Sharon of Fitchburg. 20 Grandchildren, 13 Great Grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Edith Nancy graduated from Reading High School 1956. She also graduated from Northern Essex Community College in May 1998 with a BA in History and Sociology and later graduated several years later from Merrimack College with a Master’s in Business.

Edith Nancy Retired from the IRS as a Supervisor. She loved family, God, nature, cats, gardening, backyard bird watching, sewing and researching Family Genealogy.

Edith Nancy also held the position for a time as the President of The Women’s Baptist Ministry in Merrimack Valley.

Her funeral will be held on Friday, February 15 at 11:00 AM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Calling hours will be held prior to the funeral from 9 to 11 AM. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Alzheimer’s Association for research to help find a cure. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Arthur L. Pierce, Jr. – 77, of Palm Bay, Florida and formerly of North Reading, died Saturday, February 2, 2019 at the Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, Florida.

Born in Lawrence, MA on August 25, 1941. He was the son of the late Arthur L., Sr. and Ruth Viola (Shaw) Pierce. He attended school in Lawrence and North Reading. Arthur has been a resident of North Reading for over 60 years.

He worked for C & W Transportation in Lexington and BJ Bus Service in North Reading. He was the owner of Main Street Garage in North Reading and later worked for Benevento Sand and Gravel in Wilmington.

Arthur would help anyone, anytime no matter what. He loved being with his wife and kids, family and friends.

Family members include his beloved wife of 57 years, Marsha E. (Woods) Pierce; loving sons, John, Donald and Brian Pierce; brothers, Michael and Charlie Pierce and the late Richard Pierce; sisters, Dorothy Smith, Alice South and the late Luoane Parshley; three grandchildren, Haley, Lanna and Vivian Pierce. Also survived by many brother and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

His funeral will be held on Saturday, February 9 at 10:00 AM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Calling hours will be held on Friday, February 8 from 4 to 8 PM. 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.croswell funeralhome.com

Edna M. (Jones) Gerardi – 89, of North Reading and formerly of Saugus, died unexpectedly on Thursday, January 31, 2019 at Winchester Hospital.

Born in Saugus, MA on March 11, 1929. She was the daughter of the late Chester and Jane (Borden) Jones. Edna was a graduate of Saugus High School, Class of 1947. She was a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, during the Korean Conflict, she was a Sergeant and served from 1950 to 1953.
She later attended Lee Institute for Real Estate and later formed Gerardi Reality with her husband Richard. Edna has been a resident of North Reading for the past 62 years and a member of St. Theresa’s Church.
Edna loved her family, was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She always saw the best in people. She was the perfect hostess and loved to sing and laugh. Edna enjoyed reading, puzzles, traveling and cooking.
Family members include her loving husband of 60 years, Richard N. Gerardi; four daughters, Mary Jane Menard and her husband Mario, Nancy Gerardi, Joyce Parsons and her husband Jamie and Jodi Gerardi, her late son, Richie Gerardi (born in 1964 and died in 1968); her sister, Dorothy Mowatt and late brother, Lawrence Jones; four granddaughters, Nicole Menard and Heather, Natalie and Catherine.
Funeral services will be private and are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.

Evelyn E. (Scribner) Rodger – 98, of Andover, formerly of Haverhill, Peabody and Lynn, died, Thursday, January 31, 2019 at Royal Meadow View Center in North Reading. She was the wife of the late Roy Pearson, Jr. and the late James S. Rodger.
Born in Swampscott, MA on August 22,1920. She was the daughter of the late Samuel and Ida Irene (Irwin) Scribner. Evelyn was a graduate of Lynn English High School and she worked as a secretary for General Electric, AEG in Lynn for many years. She was a member of the Tontoquon Chapter, No. 100, Order of Eastern Star in Wakefield.
Evelyn had a great love for her family. She was happiest when in their company. She enjoyed grandchildren’s events and ballgames. She especially loved the warm weather and being outside by the ocean.
Evelyn was the Past President of the G.E. Riverettes, a social and charitable group. She enjoyed card games, the beach, ceramics and bingo. She also loved soap operas, word search puzzles and eating out, especially seafood. Evelyn was an avid reader and a Boston Bruins fan.
Family members include her loving sons, James S. Rodger, Jr. and his wife Julia of Reading and Wayne D. Rodger and his wife Debra of Andover; her daughter, Sandra G. Prece of Zephyrhills, FL; 10 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren (with 3 on the way) and one great great-grandchild; late brothers, Samuel “Craft” Scribner, Robert Scribner and Calvin Scribner; late sisters, Emeline Hanway and Madeline Brown.
Her funeral will be held on Thursday, February 7 at 10 AM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday from 4 to 8 PM. Burial will be in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Peabody. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Shriners Hospital for Children, att.: Office of Development, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114. www.croswellfuneralhome.com