Alan Michael O’Brien – 44, of North Reading, formerly of Chittenden, VT and post-college in Somerville, MA, for 15 years passed away unexpectedly at his home on October 7, 2025. He was born in Weymouth, MA on February 8, 1981.

He graduated from Rutland High School in Vermont in 1999, where he played football for four years. He previously attended Barstow Memorial School, where he was a well-loved student. He studied Psychology at Elmira College in New York, graduating in 2003. Alan was a Supervisory Surveillance Specialist at the FBI, he worked for the Boston Bureau for 20 years. He also served as an Instructor at the Training Center in Quantico, VA. Alan has been a resident of North Reading for the past 8 years.

Alan was extremely kind and generous with his time and had a knack for gift-giving. He was an excellent listener and always knew what to say. He also knew when to say nothing at all. Truly a devoted son, brother, uncle, co-worker and friend. Alan’s work at the FBI was his true passion, He was extremely dedicated to his team.

Alan was a collector of unique art, people and stories. A true music lover, he was a huge Prince fan and a dedicated Swiftie. Alan was very well read between books and comics. He was a die-hard Patriots fan, and he truly loved the game of football. Alan was passionate about his passions and trust us he had many.

In his free time, Alan loved relaxing with his favorite podcasts, including Last Podcast on the Left, The Flophouse, and The Regular Features Podcast. He enjoyed his time on the FBI Softball Team, where camaraderie often mattered more than the score.

Family members include his loving parents, Walter M. and Linda M. (Christensen) O’Brien of Rutland, VT; his brother, Andrew J. O’Brien and his wife Holly of Wakefield, RI; his niece, Sloane (age 14) and nephew, Parker (age 8).

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 24^th from 4 to 6:50 PM, followed by a brief service, at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading.

To honor Alan’s memory, we will be establishing a special fund for the Rutland High School football team. We are grateful to Coach Mike Norman for his support and dedication. Those wishing to contribute may do so in Alan’s name.

Mark Edward Danico, 57, of North Reading, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on October 7, 2025.

Mark was born on January 27, 1968, in Winchester, Massachusetts, to Marilyn (Oehmigen) Danico and the late Henry (Hank) Danico, Sr. He was raised in Stoneham, Massachusetts, and was active in the Boy Scouts of America with his father and brother, Henry Danico, Jr. From an early age, Mark was a lover of the outdoors and enjoyed fishing, canoeing/kayaking, camping, and hiking. While attending Stoneham High School, he helped his family build a log home in Freedom, New Hampshire, learning all kinds of practical skills that served him well over the years.

After graduating high school in 1986, he attended the University of Lowell full- and part-time, graduating with a BS in Information Technology in 2007. It was here he met his beloved wife, Angela (Goebel) Danico, in 1988 and later married in 1995. They shared 37 wonderful years together and raised two daughters, Annmarie and Jillian, of whom he was immensely proud.

Mark had always been captivated by electronics and computers. In 1989, he started as a computer repair technician at Sun Microsystems in Andover, Massachusetts, and climbed the ladder to become a Senior Hardware Technical Support Engineer at Oracle Corporation which had acquired Sun in 2010. He was proud to be involved in Oracle’s Cloud development. Always reading up on the next new use of technology, Mark also loved building his own computers and electronics and 3D printing at home.

An introvert by nature, Mark had a sharp wit and an easy laugh for all who knew him well. He had a penchant for a good dad joke and invented wild stories of pirates and herding teddy bear hamsters across the West for the girls when they were little. He loved his family and close friends deeply. Mark was a smart and strategic thinker who enjoyed playing video games and chess with his daughters and cribbage and whist with Angela and their closest friends. There was always a science fiction or murder mystery to watch with family, who took turns debating “whodunit.” He and Angela had enjoyed traveling a bit more since the kids were grown, especially with their best friends, Dan and Paula. Mark appreciated a simple life with simple pleasures; a fire pit, hammock, and kayak were his happy places.

In addition to his wife and children, others who loved him and are left to mourn him include his mother Marilyn; sister Catherine (Danico) Brewer and her husband David of Wakefield, MA; brother Hank Jr and his partner Debbie Camire of wherever the RV is; sister Elise Danico of Arlington, MA; as well as nieces/nephews Michelle (Ian) McCarty, Tim Brewer, Sam Reitshamer, Matt Brewer, Max Reitshamer, and Harry Reitshamer.

Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Saturday, October 18, from 9am – 12pm at Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St, North Reading, MA. Further arrangements will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Compassionate Care ALS, 17 Chase Rd, Falmouth, Massachusetts 02540 (ccals.org); Care Dimensions Hospice, 75 Sylvan St #B-102, Danvers, MA 01923 (caredimensions.org); or your favorite charity supporting ALS research.

“Forever loved, forever missed, forever in our hearts.”

Gordon F. Thornton  – 79, of North Reading, passed away at his home on Saturday, October 4, 2025, after a lengthy illness.

Born in Malden, MA on November 11, 1946, he was the son the late Robert and Rita (Norton) Thornton. He was raised and attended school in North Reading and was a graduate of North Reading High School, Class of 1964.

He enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard, after high school. Gordon was a Vietnam Veteran, he served from 1965 to 1969 and received the Vietnam Service Medal with a Bronze Star.

Gordon was a resident of North Reading for over 70 years. He was a former Manager for the Candlewood Lanes in North Reading for many years and also worked for Kyanize Paint. He enjoyed archery, bowling, hunting (Reflex Archery) and was a diver, he was also a member of the Danvers Gun Club. Gordon was always loyal, helpful and friendly to everyone.

He was the loving husband of 57 years to RoseMarie Thornton; his son, Chance C. Thornton and his fiancé Laurel Echert; his twin brother, Paul Thornton and his late brother, Donald Thornton; his daughter, Brandy Marie Penley and her husband William; his sister, Jo-Ann; also survived by 4 grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 25 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, followed by military honors at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

David  R. Wilson – 76, of Wilmington and formerly of North Reading, died at Care One at Wilmington on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.

Born in Stoneham, MA on December 9, 1948, he was the son of the late Claude H. and  Mildred I. (Anderson) Wilson. He was raised and attended school in North Reading and was a graduate of North Reading High School, Class of 1966.

David was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Vietnam War, he was a Sergeant and served from 1968 to 1970. He later worked as a Postal Worker for the U.S. Post Office for over 18 years, until his retirement. Dave enjoyed woodworking and gardening.

Besides his parents, he is predeceased by his brother, Steven R. Wilson. He is survived by his cousins, Glen Richardson and his wife Diane of Peabody and Gary Richardson and his wife Cheryl of Nashua, NH.

A graveside service with Military Honors will be held on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 10:30 AM in Riverside Cemetery, 171 Elm Street in North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Karen P. McBrine – 68, of North Reading and formerly of Quincy, died at her home on Thursday, September 18, 2025, after a lengthy illness.

Born in Milton, MA on November 4, 1956, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Jeanne (Spatola) McBrine.

She has been a resident of North Reading for the past 45 years. Karen was a bartender for the Owl’s Nest in Thornton, NH and the Mad River Tavern in Campton, NH.  She was a member of the Wollaston Beach Girls Club.

Karen gave a lot of love and devotion to her kids and grandkids. She loved horses, Cosmos, the Wollaston Beach Girls Club and riding trips to Acadia in Maine.

Family members include her loving sons, Stephen Farricy and his wife Sara and Michael Farricy; her daughter, Nicole Eicher and her husband James; brothers, Kevin McBrine, Joseph (Buddy) McBrine and Robert (Red) McBrine; grandchildren, Codi and James Eicher and Sean Farricy.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 23 from 3:00 to 5:45 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading, followed by a prayer service at 5:45 PM.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to New England Equine Rescue. Arrangements are by Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com