William B. Sears – February 23, 2017

Julia G. (Healey) Ciampa – 34, of Wakefield, formerly of North Reading, died unexpectedly on Monday, February 13, 2017.

Born in Cambridge, MA on February 22, 1982. Julia was raised in North Reading and was a graduate of North Reading High School. She was certified as a Peer Specialist by the Transformation Center and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  She was a resident of Wakefield for the past ten years and a member of Horizon House.

Julia had an endless love for her family. She was a woman who was exceptionally kind and understanding. She was passionate about things she found interesting such as raising awareness for different advocacy groups and speaking at the State House. She was courageous in living her fullest life. Julia was the life of the party with an incredible sense of humor and wit. She was incredibly thoughtful, never forgetting a birthday or special occasion. She knew what she liked and had a sense of style truly her own.

She loved the holidays, especially Christmas and was so generous with everyone; always looking for the perfect gift for others. She wasn’t religious in the traditional sense, but over her life, had developed a special connection and trust in God.  Julia’s family will forever love and cherish her as she made all of our lives so bright.

Family members include her loving mother, Julia C. (Wahlefield) Brachanow of North Reading; sisters, Casey (Melvin) McGah and her husband Sean of Lynnfield and Nathania Brachanow of North Reading;  her brother, Frankie Brachanow of North Reading; niece, Addison McGah, nephew, Henry McGah; grandparents, Catherine Cataldo of Arlington, William and Dee Wahlefield of Revere;  aunts and uncles Charlotte and Sean Keefe of China, ME, Linda and Ariel Angurano of Northport, AL, Joanne Torres of Wilmington, William Wahlefield of China, ME, cousins, Parris, Lindsey, Denise, Debbie, Joanna, Gabby, Liam, Catherine, Charlotte, Tonya and Kiyanna; and her Auntie Shell,  Godparents, Cathy and Parris Varney of China, ME.

Her funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Monday, February 20, at 8:30 AM, followed by a 10:00 AM Funeral Mass at St. Maria Goretti Church, 112 Chestnut Street, Lynnfield. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, February 19 from 1 to 5 PM. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to: Horizon House, 78 Water Street, Wakefield, MA 01880.

Robert  H.  Tavares – 25, of Fall River and formerly of North Reading, died unexpectedly on Sunday, February 12, 2017.

Born in Fall River, MA on August 14, 1991. He was the loving son of Robert Tavares of Fall River and Lorraine M. Snow of North Reading.

He was raised and attended North Reading public schools. He worked for Reading Lumbar and the Lobster Claw in North Reading. Rob also worked as a personal trainer for Rocky’s Gym in Falmouth and as a stock manager at Walmart.

Rob was very caring, kind but not to be taking advantage of. He was smart intuitive and very funny. He had so many friends, I could never meet them all. Rob said I did a good job as a mom and always told me how much he loved me. Rob enjoyed BMX dirt biking, snowboarding, skateboarding, Siberian Huskies and making mini wooden race cars.

Besides parents, family members include his loving daughter, Maya Jordan  Syrjala (age 8 months) and her mother, Krystal Syrjala;  sisters, Lori Ann, Tara and Tracey Solderstrom, all of Fall River. Also survived by many cousins, aunts, uncles and friends. Calling hours will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Tuesday, February 21, from 3:30 to 6:00 PM, followed by a prayer service starting at 6:00  PM.  WWW.CROSWELLFUNERALHOME.COM

Lawrence  C.  Sullivan – 87, of North Reading, died at his home, surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, February 9, 2017.

He was born in Newport, RI, on January 27, 1930. He grew up in Newport where he was a graduate of De LaSalle Academy, Class of 1948; University of Rhode Island, Class of 1952 and Georgetown Law School, in Washington, D.C., Class of 1962.

Lawrence was a U.S. Navy Veteran of the Korean Conflict. His U.S. Navy Military service began in 1952. He graduated from Officer Candidate School, Class of 1953 serving as Line Officer on Navy destroyers during the Korean Conflict. In 1956 he left the Navy with rank of Lieutenant (Junior Grade). Later, he joined the Naval Reserves and served in various assignments, retiring with the rank of Commander.

After law school, he joined the legal staff of the Federal Aviation Administration  (FAA) in Washington D.C. from 1962 to 1967. In 1967, he transferred to the FAA Boston office, serving as the regional counsel for New England until his retirement in September of 1989.

He was a resident of North Reading for fifty years and a member of St. Theresa’s Parish, where he taught CCD Religious Education.

Lawrence enjoyed watching sports and actively followed all Boston teams. Over the years, he enjoyed playing tennis, golf and loved to play cards. Lawrence and his wife enjoyed spending their winters in Melbourne Beach, Florida and summers in Newport, RI. 

Family members include his beloved wife of 61 years, Kathleen T. (Krupa) Sullivan; loving daughters, Sandra Conron and husband Scott of North Reading, Judith Gosselin and husband Jay of Deerfield, NH, and Jacqueline Bonasoro and husband Gary of North Andover; sisters, Anne Mills of Newport, RI and the late Arlene Custy; brothers-in-law, Raymond Custy of Portsmouth, RI and the late Stuart Mills; 6 grandchildren, who gave him great enjoyment in later years, Jeffrey and Jessica Conron, Renee and Alex Gosselin, Leia and Shawn Bonasoro; and many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held Tuesday, February 14th from 4 to 7 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., NORTH READING. Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home starting at 8:45 AM Wednesday, February 15th followed by a 10 AM Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Parish, 63 Winter St. (Rt. 62), North Reading. Burial with military honors will follow at Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Late Retired Regional Counsel for N.E. Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Navy Veteran of the Korean Conflict, retiring as Commander. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com