Mary S. Wellspring – 95, of North Reading passed away on August 19, 2018, at Care One Nursing Home in Wilmington after a brief illness and battle with dementia.

Mary was born in East Boston, MA on October 6, 1922, the daughter of the late William and Mary Elizabeth (Moran) Burke. She was educated in the Medford school system. Prior to retirement, she spent her career working in the Accounting department at Avco/Textron, at Transitron Electric Corp and at banks in Boston.

Mary was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, neighbor and friend who always cared for others more than herself.  She loved knitting, crafts and above all, feeding anyone who came into her home, especially her grandchildren and the children in the neighborhood.

Mary was a resident of North Reading for 63 years.  She was predeceased by her husband of 48 years, Robert E. Wellspring in 1996, her son Robert J. in 2010 and grandson Jamison in 1992 and her infant daughter Patricia in 1956.  She was also predeceased by her brothers William, Douglas, Ernest, and Charles Burke.

She is survived by her son Richard of North Reading, Mark and his wife Toni of Methuen, daughter-in-law Arlene of Northampton; grandchildren Kathleen Wellspring and her husband Sanjiv Gupta of Northampton, Rebecca Darling and her husband Ryan of Williamsburg, Alex Wellspring of Methuen and Bryan Wellspring of Delray Beach, FL.  She also leaves her beloved great-grandchildren Griffin and Gretta Darling of Williamsburg and her sister Theresa Shannon of Medford.

The family would like to thank the staff at Care One Nursing Home for the wonderful care they provided Mary during her stay.

Calling hours will be held at Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Friday, August 24 from 4 to 8 pm. Funeral will be held from the funeral home on Saturday, August 25 at 9:15 am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street (Rt.62) in North Reading at 10:30 am.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading, MA. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Walter  K.  Freeman, Jr. – 85, of Andover and formerly of Wakefield, died at his home on Thursday, August 16, 2018.

Born in Wakefield, MA on December 6, 1933, he was the son of the late Walter K. Freeman, Sr. and Elsie Blizzard Freeman. He was raised and attended school in Wakefield. He was a member Masonic Lodge in Wakefield. He also served as a Youth Advisor at the Congregational Church in Wakefield. Walter has been a resident of Andover for the past 41 years.

Walter was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Korean War, from 1953 to 1956 where served on a Tug Boat in Greenland, constructing the DEW Line radar defense system. Walter was  Wakefield Police Officer. He later worked as a self employed home contractor for many years.

He was a volunteer for the National Forest Service in New Hampshire. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, camping and birding. He was a skilled photographer.

Family members include his loving wife of 61 years, Sally (Clarridge) Freeman; his son, Paul F Freeman; his daughter, Linda Lee Straw and her husband Clifford and a granddaughter, Krystina Lee Freeman.

Calling hours will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street,  North Reading on Friday, August 24 from 9:30 to 11 AM, followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00 AM. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to : New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (https://wildlife.state.nh.us/funding/donate.html). www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Christina A. “Tina” (Post) Martin – 83, of Andover, formerly of Salem, NH, Stoneham and North Reading, died Friday, August 17, 2018 at Wingate of Haverhill.

Born in Chelsea, MA on December 20, 1934, she was the daughter of the late John Post and Elizabeth (Anderson) Croswell.

She grew up in North Reading at the Putnam Homestead. Tina graduated from Reading High School and went on to get her Associate Degree from Middlesex Community College in the medical field. She spent most of her career as a Labor and Delivery Nurse at Holy Family Hospital in Methuen and New England Memorial Hospital in Stoneham.

Tina loved social events with friends and her family. She enjoyed going on trips, playing cards, going to casinos, watching The Gronk or simply going to breakfast with her loved ones.  She loved to make people happy, she was very giving and loved to laugh and reminisce. To say she will be missed is putting it lightly.

Family members include her loving husband, James W. Martin; sons, Chuck Puleo, Tony Puleo, James W. Martin and the late Michael Puleo; daughters, Melinda Puleo, Michelle Puleo, Janice Puleo and Gina Puleo; brothers, Billy Post, Richard Post and the late Joe Post; step brothers, Tom and Andy Croswell; sisters, Betty Hancock, Caroline Denise, Mary Lou Roll and the late Eva Perry; 16 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was the former wife of John Puleo.

Calling hours will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Wednesday, August 22 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, followed by a funeral service at 7:00 PM. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Rosario  J. “Ray” LaMonica – 95, of North Reading and formerly of Lawrence, died Monday, August 13, 2018 at Winchester Hospital.

Born in Lawrence, MA on January 9, 1923. He was the son of the late Giuseppe and Giuseppina (Ragonese) LaMonica. Ray was raised in Lawrence and he attended Lawrence Public Schools. He was known to his Lawrence contemporaries as Tarzan Brown.

Ray worked for the City of Lawrence for over 32 years. He spent over 50 years as an umpire in both Mass. and N.H., including here in North Reading with the North Reading Little League. He served as a crossing guard in North Reading for 18 years until he retired in his 80’s. He was a hard worker and put his heart into everything he did.

Ray has been a resident of North Reading for the past 27 years. He was a faithful Christian and later in life sang in the Aldersgate United Methodist Church Choir and the North Reading Senior Echoes.

Ray was a born entertainer, singing and performing in many New York and New England  venues, inspired when he worked with Duke Ellington in New York, rubbing elbows with such greats as the Ink Spots, Ella Fitzgerald and many more.

Ray was a very generous man and loved giving out gifts, snowglobes at Christmas, chocolate Bunnys at Easter and calendars. He was an avid Yankees fan and stood in strong support of them until the day he left us. He loved his Westerns and was especially fond of John Wayne. He could be seen in his later years out and about in his official John Wayne hat when he wasn’t decked out in his Yankee gear. He was a loving husband, father, uncle, grandfather, great grandfather and friend.

Family members include his loving wife of 27 years, Sara (Dunbar) LaMonica; his son, Adam LaMonica and his wife Michelle and Robert Russo, Jr. and his wife Meg; daughters, Jill Wilkinson and her husband Robb and the late Amy Rae LaMonica; six grandchildren, Kristen Hollingsworth, Michelle Russo, Robert Russo, III, Frances Russo, Elijah and Avery LaMonica; two great grandchildren, Ryan and Ava Hollingsworth; nieces Joan Devine and her husband Don, Carol Martin and her husband Gilbert and Joyce and Danny Fontenot. He was the brother of the late Anthony LaMonica, Rose Lawn and Grace Bistowski.

His funeral will be held at the Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 235 Park St., North Reading on Monday, August 20 at 11:00 AM. Calling hours will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading on Sunday from 1 to 4 PM. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to: Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 235 Park St., North Reading, MA 01864. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Martha C. (Melanson) Margeson – 66, of Apollo Beach, FL, formerly of Freedom, NH and North Reading, died on Wednesday, August 1, 2018 in Port Charlotte, FL.

Born in Melrose, MA on November 5, 1951, she was the daughter of the late Benoit and Madeline (Mazza) Melanson. She was a graduate of Saugus High School, Class of 1970.

Martha worked as a secretary for the Meadow View Nursing Home and Gonsalves, both in North Reading.

She had a strong attitude, love for her family and she was always happy no matter how sick she was. She enjoyed bowling, softball, crocheting, knitting, eating Lobsters and Crabs.

Family members include her loving husband of  48 years, Richard Alan Margeson, Sr. of Apollo Beach, FL; her son, Richard Alan Margeson, Jr. of Middleton and her daughter, Kristie Margeson Middleton of Wilmington; brothers, John Melanson of Maine, Edward Melanson of Woburn, Robert Melanson of Lynn and David Melanson of Plymouth; her sister, Joanne Melanson Hall of Norton; her grandson, Richard James Margeson of Middleton.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, August 23 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, followed by a prayer service at 7:00 PM, at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com