Edward J. Mullet – 89, of North Reading and formerly of Covington, Louisiana, passed away on Sunday, September 27, 2026. He was the beloved husband of the late Gayle (Dutsch) Mullet.

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana on September 23, 1937. He was the son of the late Edward J. Mullet, Sr. and Katherine (Haas) Mullet. Edward was a graduiate of Louisiana State University with a degree in Agriculture.

He ran his own small landscaping business, Mullet Horticulture, from the 1970’s to until 2010, when he retired.

He was an extremely kind, generous and a selfless person who thought of his family and never himself. He loved animals and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

Family members include his sons, Ian Mullet and Shawn Mullet; his daughter, Denise Baird; 3 grandchildren, Nicholas Baird, Owen and Trevor Mullet; he was the brother of the late Arthur and Kay Mullet.

Services will be private and are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

MERRIMACK, N.H. – George “Al” Heard, 88, passed away peacefully, September 17, 2026 at Community Hospice House in Merrimack, New Hampshire after a brief illness. He was surrounded by his loving children.

Born in Blount County, Alabama, he was the oldest son of the late George Hollie and Annie Sue Heard. In his early life Al’s parents farmed and his father was a rural mail carrier. His father moved his family to Gadsden, Alabama where his father went to work for the L & N Railroad. Allen attended public schools, graduating in the 1956 Class of the Gadsden High Tigers.

Al made many friends during his school years with his upbeat personality and friendly nature. He was an industrious boy, earning his spending money delivering newspapers, assisting the milkman with deliveries, and lifeguarding in summer months with his brother.

After high school, Al served for four years in the U.S. Air Force at Goose Bay in Labrador, Canada. Built in WWII as a strategic air base in a joint effort between Canada and the U.S.  Goose Bay was transformed during the Cold War into a base for the U.S. Strategic Air Command, NORAD defense operations, and NATO flight training.

Even though he left the South after High School and his time in the Air Force, and settled in New England, where he made his home in North Reading, Massachusetts, he always considered himself a Southern Boy. He loved returning to Alabama with his family, introducing them to his home, family reunions, southern cooking and southern expressions like “y’all come” and “Bless your Heart.”

Al had a unique gift of never meeting a stranger. He could connect with anyone and put them at case whether with a joke or by simply listening to them and establishing a connection. Al had been a friend of Bill’s for 39 years. During those years he helped many people and made many friends whom he called Family.

Al loved his sports, especially golf and football. He was a lifelong Alabama fan. He especially enjoyed the family rivalry between The Crimson Tide and The Auburn Tigers.

Al spent many years with his partner Carol Miller and her family. Together they traveled to Germany, Hawaii, Maine, Alabama and especially enjoyed their trips to visit their Virginia family. In retirement, Al and Carol also enjoyed the activities at the North Reading Senior Center where they made many friends and he especially loved driving the Senior Center van well into his 70s.

To know Al was to love him. He always had the right joke to share (sometimes many times over). He was also famous for his fudge and always had a batch to share for special occasions. While Al was in the hospital many people called and asked him if there was anything that they could do for him. His response was always, “Just be my Friend.”

Al leaves behind his children, Susan Heard-Brandano, David Heard, Nancy Costa and her husband Jim, and Allen Heard and his wife Janine; his sisters, Brenda Boyd and her husband Jerry and Rita Wilson and her husband Bob; his sister-in-law, Ann Heard, and Carol’s children, Jeffrey Miller and his wife Kathleen and Sharon Burke, as well as many nieces and nephews, grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and countless friends.

He was predeceased by his brother Jerry and his partner Carol Miler.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 16 from 3-6 p.m. at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. To leave an online message of condolence please visit www.croswellfuneralhome.com   .

Clyde E. Swanson, age 92, a devoted family man and lifelong New Englander, died on September 18, 2026, after a life defined by love, steadiness, and deep connection to the people he cherished most. Born in Malden, Massachusetts, Clyde spent the majority of his life in North Reading, building a home where family was always at the center of his world.

In his early years, Clyde treasured summers in Gilford, New Hampshire, on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee. Those days by the water remained some of his fondest memories, shaping his appreciation for the outdoors and the simple beauty of nature.

Clyde was a man who found satisfaction in hard work and the quiet rhythms of home. He enjoyed spending time in his yard, cutting wood, and caring for the home he and Carol built together. He took great pride in the way his home looked and felt, and that care reflected the devotion he carried throughout his life.

Clyde was predeceased by his beloved wife of 68 years, Carol Swanson, with whom he shared a lifetime of partnership, devotion, and family.

He leaves behind three children who carry forward his strength, warmth, and love: his daughter Susan Fitzgerald and her partner Michael Poltack, his son Eric Swanson and his wife Pam, and his daughter Lynne Day and her husband Michael. Clyde was a proud and loving grandfather to Casey Fitzgerald, Dylan Fitzgerald and his fiancée Taylor O’Clair, and Ian Fitzgerald. His joy extended to the next generation as well, and he was blessed with a greatgranddaughter, Reese Fitzgerald, who brought a bright new light into the family.

Those who knew Clyde will remember his gentle presence, steady humor, and the way he made others feel at ease simply by being there. His legacy is one of devotion, resilience, and the enduring love he shared with his family.

Arrangements are under the care of Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. At the request of the family, services and interment will be private.

Memorial Donations: In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Carol’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (alzfdn.org).

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

David MacRae – 74, of Derry, NH and formerly of North Reading, passed away at his daughter Julie’s home in Haverhill on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, after a lengthy illness.

Born in Everett, MA on June 28, 1952. He was the son of the late Malcolm, Sr. and Virginia (Capuano) MacRae. He was raised and attended school in North Reading. He left North Reading High School in 1969 to join the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a Vietnam Veteran and served from 1969 to 1970.

Dave worked for many years as a Truck Driver and Heavy Equipment Operator. He worked for St. Johnsbury Trucking, Roadway Trucking and the Merrimack Valley Transit Authority. He was a legend in the trucking and construction field. Not only was he a driver, he was an operator and mechanic, teaching many family and friends to drive over the years. He was a proud member of the Teamsters Union and the U.S. Marines.

He loved anything with a motor. He wanted to drive it, race it, or fix it. Dave loved camping, fishing, flea markets, woodworking, tools, most importantly his family, kids and grandkids.

Family members include his loving wife and friend Carol (Callahan) MacRae of Haverhill; his sons, David MacRae, Jr. and Jeffrey MacRae, both of Derry, NH; his daughter, Julia MacRae of Haverhill and Lauri McNally of Port Orange, FL; his sister, Julia Mayhew and her husband Warren of Westwood, MA; he was the brother of the late Malcolm and William MacRae; 6 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, several cousins, nieces, nephews, godchildren and extended family.

His Funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Wednesday, September 23 at 9:15 AM, followed by a 10:30 AM Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street, North Reading. visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 22 from 4 to 7 pm. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Shriners Children’s Hospital (shrinerschildrens.org)

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Paul R. Marshall – 75, passed away peacefully on September 7, 2026, at Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, with his daughters by his side.

Born in Malden, MA, on October 17, 1950, he was the youngest son of the late Kenneth and Louise Marshall. He spent his early years in Malden before growing up in North Reading, MA, where he attended North Reading High School.

Paul proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War as a dog handler with a Combat Tracker Team, a role that remained a source of great pride throughout his life.

A skilled finish carpenter by trade, he was a true craftsman and lifelong tinkerer. There was little he couldn’t build or repair.

But perhaps his greatest love was his boat. He spent much of his life living aboard and seemingly every available moment working on it—sanding, staining, varnishing, and getting the “show side” just right. For him, the boat wasn’t simply a hobby or even a home; it was a way of life.

Paul was especially fond of black Labs, good company, and a captive audience for one of his many stories. Naturally social and charismatic, he was always ready with a funny remark. He had a quick wit, a collection of unforgettable one-liners, and a sense of humor entirely his own.

Above all, he was a caring father and devoted grandfather whose family meant everything to him.

Paul leaves behind his daughters, Wendy and her husband Stephen, Kelly and her husband Joel; grandchildren, Destin, Layla, and Kai; nieces and nephews, Deborah, Susan and her husband Larry, Jeffrey and his wife Dena; his goddaughter, Kathleen; and many dear friends.

He was predeceased by his brother, Robert, and sister-in-law, Danielle; and his sister, Patricia, and brother-in-law, James.

His family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and staff at Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital for the kindness, compassion, and care they provided to Paul and his family during his final months.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 13 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM at Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading, MA. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Paul’s memory to the Military Working Dog Team Support Association (MWDTSA), an organization dedicated to supporting military working dogs and their handlers.