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.

Charles  P.  Emma – 81, of North Reading, formerly of Winthrop, died Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading.

Born in Boston, MA on September 22, 1937, he was the son of the late Philip and Vincenzia (Micciche) Emma. He was a graduate of Northeastern University, Wentworth Institute and Harvard University, where he received his Master’s Degree in Education.

Charles was a Lab Technician at the Harvard University School of Public Health, under there direction of Dr. Jean Mayer. He later worked at the Belmonte Middle School in Saugus as a School Administrator . He has been retired for the past twenty years.

Charles was a man of strong faith who cherished and valued his family deeply. He was kind and generous to all who knew him. He had a passion for life and was an excellent role model for all. Charles was an avid collector of antiques, clocks and memorabilia. He was able to restore them to their original beauty. He enjoyed taking trips with the love of his life, Joanne, in their motor home.

Charles was resident of North Reading and a member of St. Theresa’s Church for 52 years. He was a member of the National Clock Association, Family Motor Coach Association and Model Train Association.

Family members include his loving wife of 59 years, Joanne L. (Siciliano) Emma; daughters, Debra A. Emma and Michelle Carr of Portsmouth, NH, Tracy O’Rourke and her former husband Kerry of Merrimack, NH, Karen E. Caouette and her husband Ronald of Derry, NH, who was like a son to him;  sister, Lillian Fassino and her husband Edward of South Natick; four grandchildren, Emma Kate O’ Rourke, Tyler J. Caouette, Ryan M. O’Rourke and Ally E. Caouette; special friend, Diane Carleton of Derry, NH and CA, two nieces, three nephews and his loving Yorkie, Peanut.

His funeral will be held on Monday, November 5, at 9:15 AM from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading, 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 Sunday, November 4 from 4 to 8 PM. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in loving memory of Charles P. Emma to: Sawtelle Family Hospice House, 320 Haverhill Street, Reading, MA 01867. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Pamela  J.  Zwicker – 65, of Tewksbury and formerly of North Reading, died Thursday, October 18, 2018 at the Lowell General Hospital.

Born in Stoneham, MA on August 27, 1953, she was the daughter of the late Fredrick W. and Lorraine L. (Jehu) Zwicker. She was raised in North Reading and was a graduate of North Reading High School.

Pamela worked as a manager for the Salvation Army in Wilmington for many years.

She was a dedicated loving mother to her son, Zachary Fuller and grandmother to Scarlett Kathy Fuller, who meant the world to her. She always wanted everyone to be happy and enjoyed being with her family and friends, sharing love and laughter with the one’s she loved. Pamela was always giving and never expected in return. She always wanted to make a difference in everyone else’s life. Her nieces and nephews meant the world to her, she was an amazing soul.

Family members include her loving son, Zachary Fuller and his wife Makenna-Marie Fuller of Winthrop; her brother, David Zwicker and his late wife Kathy of Manchester, NH; sisters, Cheryl Ryan and her husband Wesley of Tewksbury and Cindy Wing of New Ipswich, NH; granddaughter, Scarlett Kathy Fuller; nieces and nephews, Patrick Ryan of Billerica, Ashley (Bodnar) McClain and her husband Julian of Southborough, Eric Ryan and his girlfriend Erica Daasuk of Peabody, Larissa Bodnar and boyfriend Brian Adams of Nashua, NH, Amanda Wing of Revere, Joshua Wing (US Air Force) and her great nephew, Jayson Michael McClain; long-time family friend, Michael Bodnar of Wilmington. She was the aunt of the late Wesley Michael Ryan.

Her Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, November 4 at 11:00 AM, at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Calling hours will be held prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:45 AM. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Salvation Army, 625 Main Street, Wilmington, MA 01887. www.croswellfuneralhome.com