Dennis R.  Frasca – 69, of North Reading and formerly of Lynn, died at his home on Monday, November 26, 2018.

Born in Lynn, MA on March 4, 1949, he was the son of the late Dominic and Mary (Schiapucci) Frasca. He was raised and attended school in Lynn and was a graduate of Lynn English High School. He attended Belknap College and soon after founded his own construction company, DR Frasca Construction in North Reading, which he ran for 40 years.

Dennis (Daddy, Denny, DTD) Frasca was one of a kind. He loved life – his black labs, Porsches, boating, Sugarloaf and most importantly being with his family.

He is loved and missed by his wife of 36 years, Janet (Schaefer) Frasca; daughters, Carey A. Frasca and Samantha M. Watson and her husband Charlie; his brother, Michael “Mickey” Frasca, he was the brother of the late Dominic and Daniel Frasca, Joanna Williams and Barbara Hopkins. He will also missed by his loving dog Ellie.

Funeral service will be held on Friday, November 30 at 10 AM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Calling hours on Thursday, November 29 from 5 to 8 PM. Burial will be in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Peabody. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mass General Hospital in memory of Dennis Frasca at: https://because.massgeneral.org/theDRfrasca   

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

William (Bill) Lawrence Roberts passed away peacefully in Plano, Texas on Saturday, November 10, 2018.  Born in Charlestown, Massachusetts on January 20, 1924, Bill was best known for his love of family, his brilliant mind, and the mischievous twinkle in his Irish eyes.  Educated as engineer and attorney, he was a curious and tireless student and loved to be challenged.  He embraced everyone he met with an open heart, willing to give the shirt off his back to anyone in need.

During World Way II, Bill served on a destroyer escort, the U.S.S. Bracket, with the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet under Senator Edward Muskie and was awarded three bronze stars for valor and courage before being honorably discharged.  His Navy experience helped launch an early career with Radio Corporation of America (RCA).  There he led the study of the down range communication requirements of the Atlantic Missile Range at Cape Canaveral, researched nuclear effects on electronic components in space, and worked with Strategic Air Command General Curtis LeMay to develop the concept and design for the U.S. Air Force World Wide Communication System.  Bill then joined Ramo-Wooldridge where he served as liaison to the U.S. intelligence community, helping to create the Air Force Missile Command Program, more commonly known as “Spy in the Sky.”  Ever eager for the next adventure, Bill then joined Litton Industries, where he authored a study in Computerized Fingerprint Analysis for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and led the team that designed, developed, and manufactured the Map of the Lunar Surface for use by NASA in its training of astronauts.  To round out his engineering career, Bill joined Collins Radio Company to direct the development and marketing of its Computer Communication Switching System to the U.S. intelligence community.

Even in what was supposed to be his retirement, Bill continued to seek out new challenges.  He became fascinated with real estate and served as Vice-President of Paula Stringer Realtors. He then launched his own real estate practice, Burchett& Roberts Appraisers, during which time he also taught residential real estate and appraisal courses at Brookhaven Community College, The Realtor’s Institute, the Institute of Real Estate Appraisers, and the Appraisal Institute. In his later years, as he slowed his work in real estate, he took up the additional challenge of writing adventure novels under the nom de plume Doc Roberts.

Bill undertook so many challenges because he loved the thrill of mastering a new skill.  Despite the lack of formal training, he could play any instrument handed to him, a talent he unfortunately failed to pass on to his children. He grew beautiful orchids, took breathtaking pictures, and led his family on many a boating adventure, including once running the boat aground. He even once adopted a monkey as a family pet.  He loved our country and served in many civic positions including appointment as upstate Co-Chair of Robert Kennedy’s New York Senatorial campaign.

Bill was deeply loved by his friends and family.  He was preceded in death by his father and mother, James and Mary Galvin Roberts of North Reading; his sister, Elizabeth Bussey; and his first-born son, James Roberts of Longwood, Florida.  He leaves behind his very forgiving wife, Josephine DeLeo Roberts, who put up with him and his shenanigans for over 73 years.  He is also survived by his daughter, Linda M. Glover; his son, William L. Roberts; his daughter-in-law, Melinda Roberts; his daughter-in-law, Rebecca Ann Roberts; his grandchildren, Christina Capodanno, Amanda Glover Austin, Jamie Glover Smith, and Kaitlyn Roberts; and three great-grandchildren – Sterling Smith, Avery Austin, and Everett Austin – who were the delight of his later years; as well as nieces, nephews, and cousins galore in Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts and Waterford, Ireland.

Local arrangements by Croswell Funeral Home.  A private burial service will be held at the Riverside Cemetery in North Reading, Massachusetts.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com 

Joyce V. (Skinner) Tracy – Selfridge – 85, of North Reading, died at her home on Tuesday, November 13, 2018. She was the wife of the late Clayton “Buddy” Tracy, Jr. and Robert B. Selfridge, Sr.

Born in Lowell, MA on October 14, 1933, she was the daughter of the late James A. and Veronica T. (Kelly) Skinner. Joyce was a lifelong resident of North Reading. She was a graduate of the LD Batchelder School, Class of 1948, Reading High School, Class of 1951 and the Comptromitor School in Boston.

Joyce worked as a Nutritionist at the Meadow View Nursing Home in North Reading from 1987 to 1999, when the youngest of her ten children was in high school.

Joyce was a member of St. Theresa’s Church, a Campfire and Boy Scout Leader in North Reading. Most of all she was a dedicated Loving mother and grandmother. There was always laughter in the house. She was a care taker for not only her own children, but their friends that needed a meal or bed to sleep in. Joyce’s home was always open to everyone. Kids came first, her own needs and wants last. Joyce loved to play piano and sing, she also enjoyed doing yard work, ballroom dancing, crossword puzzles, her big band CD’s and especially spending time with her grandchildren.

Family members include loving sons, James A. Tracy of Waybridge, VT, Wayne J. Selfridge of Caribou, ME, Roger B. Selfridge of Brooksville, FL, Dana A. Selfridge of McCalla, AL, Robert B. Selfridge of Malden, Thomas P. Selfridge of Taunton and the late Michael R. Tracy; daughters, Maureen (Tracy) Post of North Andover, Kathleen M. (Selfridge) Bythrow of North Reading and Eileen J. Selfridge of Raymond; late brother, Lawrence Skinner and late sister, Maureen A. Chaff; also survived by 24 loving grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

Her Funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Saturday, November 17, at 9:15 AM, followed by a 10:30 AM Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street (Rt. 62), North Reading. Calling hours will be held on Friday, November 16 from 4 to 8 PM. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to Stephen Stiller Tunnel to Towers Foundation at tunnel2towers.org; North Reading Dollars for Scholars at P.O. Box 529, North Reading, MA 01864 or to St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter St, North Reading, MA 01864.  www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Ronald Charles Gitschier, Jr- age, 56, passed away peacefully November 7, 2018 at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, FL. He was born on June 13, 1962 in Lowell, MA to Patricia Pimentel and Ronald Charles Gitschier, Sr. As a young child Ron was known to travel many miles on his bicycle from town to town, distances his mom never knew about. He enjoyed hanging at the city planning department in Lowell at City Hall. An article in the Lowell Sun mentioned him as the youngest map maker in Lowell at age 9. Ron enlisted in the Navy in 1981 and shortly after married his wife Sandy on July 9, 1984 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Ron and Sandy were blessed with 3 children during their marriage, Linda Marie Gitschier born 1985, Ronald Charles Everett B. Gitschier born 1991 and Donald Albert Seth Gitschier born 1993. Ron and his wife were recently blessed with a grandson in December 2017, Jasper Jay Mark Kramer, born in Mt. Shasta, CA.

Ron served our country for 23 years. During his time in the service he served aboard the USS Conserver ARS 39 from 1982 to 1985 in Pearl Harbor Hawaii. The USS Abraham Lincoln CVN 72 in Norfolk, VA and was part of the commissioning ceremony. He also served aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN 71, Norfolk, VA and the USS Doyle FFG 39, Mayport, FL. Ron served our country during the Kuwait Liberation Campaign, Operation Desert Storm and the Persian Gulf War. He received Navy Unit Commendation, Joint Meritorious Unit, Kuwait Liberation Campaign Medal and two National Defense Medals, Navy Achievement Medal, just to mention a few. Ron was always proud and honored to serve his country. Ron’s wife and children were also proud of his service to our country and supported him through his career despite the sacrifices. Ron retired after 23 years of service, EM1, Petty Officer First Class in December 2004 and settled in Palm Coast, FL with his wife and children. He was admired and well regarded by all his shipmates.

After retirement he worked for a brief period for the US Postal service and Home Depot. He made many friends at Home Depot that he enjoys chatting with every time he shops there. Needless to say, a quick shopping trip never happens.

Ron’s deepest passion was radio and throughout his life, even during his career in the Navy he remained involved in some way or another. He collected many airchecks, pictures of towers and conversed with many in the radio world. Many family trips included stops at radio station for meet and greets. Not to mention listening to the static of AM radio on the car rides and then running to the pay phone to notify the station that he received reception from states away. As a young man he worked at WLLH in Lowell, WOTW Nashua, NH. During 1998 to 1999 he worked at WYHI in Fernandina Beach, FL. He was known as Rocky W Shore here in Palm Coast on the Blizzard, 93.3 FM, where he engineered and DJ’d. Ron always made himself available to help his radio buddies and enjoyed the opportunity to learn more through the years by assisting with side jobs throughout the state of FL. His knowledge and love of radio provided him a great opportunity in 2007 to become the Chief Engineer and News Director at WNZF. Everyday he could be heard on the radio, “This is Ron Charles with the local news.” He was affectionately known as Capt. Ron by David Ayres, General Manager. WNZF is Ron’s second family, he loved his job and the people he worked with. Ron was recommended as the person to get the station started and was instrumental in the build of the station from ground up, assisted with the tower installation and setting up the studio. Through the 10 years that Ron has worked for Flagler Broadcasting he has been instrumental in the addition of the Beach 92.7, KIX Country 98.7, KOOL 100.9 and most recently 105.5 BEACH in St. Augustine, FL. He also worked for WNSS 89.3, Houston Christian Broadcasting, Inc as the engineer. During his time at Flagler Broadcasting, Ron worked hard as the engineer to maintain the station even through the storms to be sure the community received information during these storms. As News Director he reported the news with fairness and integrity. Ron has accomplished much in his short life and is highly regarded, respected and admired by all those that have known him, friends and family. He will be remembered as a humble, intelligent man with integrity, sincerity, compassion and willingness to help others. He will be dearly missed by his family as well as his friends. He is survived by his loving wife Sandra Gitschier, daughter Linda Gitschier, Ronald C. Gitschier, son Donald Gitschier, grandson Jasper Kramer, father Ronald C. Gitschier, Sr, sisters Catherine Gitschier, Carol Croswell and her husband John and Nephews Robert and William and Niece Michelle Croswell all of North Reading, MA , and Kelly Hamilton and brothers Kevin Gitschier, Mark Gitschier, Frank Marcotte, David Marcotte, Darrin Marcotte and Michael Gitschier, long time cherished friend of  50 years, Robert Geoffroy, as well as many cousins, nephews, nieces and friends.

The world has said goodbye to a wonderful husband, father, brother, uncle, friend and shipmate. He will be deeply missed by all.

“Fair winds and following seas”

When we miss you the most, we will look deep in our hearts and find you there.

Family and friends will be received Sunday, November 18, 2018 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM at the Craig-Flagler Palms Funeral Home in Flagler Beach, Florida where services will be held at 3:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to : Globe Santa,  click name to make online donation or send check to: The Boston Globe Foundation, c/o Globe Santa, PO Box 491, Medford, MA 02155-0005, or to House of Ruth click name to donate online.

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Michael  Arthur  Greenough – 62, of Sandown, NH, longtime resident of Atkinson, NH  and formerly of North Reading, passed away at his home on Thursday evening, November 1, 2018, after battling ALS. He was surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Boston, MA on September 24, 1956, one of seven children of the late Robert A. and Irene (Moneypenny) Greenough.

Family moved to North Reading where he was raised.  After school Michael went on to work as a cross country driver, joined the United States Army National Guard, he served from 1976 to 1989. He then went on to become the Water Treatment Foreman in North Reading with over 30 years of service.

He is survived by his wife GayLynn “Gayle” of 30 year marriage, who met 36 years ago and married on Valentine’s Day in 1988; his brother, Alan and sister Jacqueline Greenough of Hampstead, NH, sisters-in-laws Barbara Arnott of Methuen and Mary Greenough of Parsons, KS. He also leaves behind several generations of loving nieces and nephews, who he cherished and loved to spend time with.

In addition to his parents, Michael was predeceased by his Godson Matthew Crosson, brother Robert Greenough, brother Dean Greenough, infant brother Arthur Greenough, sister Donna Crosson, sister-in-law Linda Greenough and nephew Al Greenough.

A memorial service will be held at Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading, MA on Saturday, November 10 at 11:00 AM. Calling hours will be held prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:45 AM. Private interment will be held in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. For his love of animals in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Michael’s name to MSPCA Nevins Farm, Methuen, MA or to ALS.