Vinnie G. Ruschioni

1982 – 2026

Vinnie G. Ruschioni –44, of North Reading, Massachusetts, died in a car accident on June 24, 2026.

He was born in Gardner, Massachusetts in 1982 to Judy and Glenn Ruschioni, the eldest of three brothers. Vinnie attended The Winchendon School, where he played hockey, and Bentley University, where he majored in finance. He eagerly charged into the business world, starting his career at John Hancock, moving on to State Street, and finally settling in at BNY Mellon as a financial analyst, until he “retired” in 2017 to take on the biggest and most important job in the world: full-time Dad.

And that was the job he was born for. Vinnie loved his family above all else, and his two sons, Michael and Leo, were his greatest pride and the very center of his world.

Vinnie is preceded in death by his mother, Judy; his Grandpa Dino; his Uncle Jim; and his father-in-law, Mike — who all surely welcomed him, drink in hand, into a warm embrace of eternal love and peace.

He leaves behind his beloved wife, Kylie; his adored sons, Michael and Leo; his Grandma Doris; his brothers, Tony Ruschioni and wife Morgan, and Cody Ruschioni; his mother-in- law Joanne Catlin; his brothers-in-law, Michael Catlin and wife Leah, and Jake Catlin and wife Allie; his father, Glenn; and his dear nieces and nephews: Bella, Finley, Eli, Michael, Luci, Gus, Samantha, Lorenzo, Sophia, Sadie, Will, Giovanni, and Lilianna.

If you weren’t Vinnie’s friend, it was only because he hadn’t met you yet. He was active in the North Reading community as a Little League coach and previously served on the Town’s finance committee. He served as head coach of the Boston Junior Rangers hockey club and returned to the Winch to serve on their Board of Trustees. Vinnie cared deeply for his family, friends, and community, and made everyone he met feel loved and welcomed. He more than made up for his lack of volume control with his pure love of life, laughter, and camaraderie.

His funeral Mass will be Celebrated on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 11:00 AM at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street, North Reading. There will be no calling hours.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Ranch Teammates for Life https://theranchteammatesforlife.org/ or the Light Foundation https://www.mattlight72.com/ or a charity of your choice.   Arrangements are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Joseph J.  Murphy, Jr. – 82, of Dover, NH, and North Reading, MA passed away at the Cedar Health Center in Portsmouth, NH on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.

Born in Stoneham, MA on January 8, 1944, he was the son of the late Joseph J. and Alberta C. (Dodge) Murphy.

Joe grew up on Martin’s Pond and was proud of his North Reading roots. He graduated from North Reading High School in 1963 and played on the early Hornet football teams. After high school he served in the Army National Guard.

Joe was never afraid of learning new skills or exploring different challenges or work. He owned and operated Maria’s Sub Shop and Pizzeria in North Reading in the late 1960s. Maria’s was famous for its excellent Italian food – not bad for an Irishman!

As a general contractor, he built several homes in the North Shore area.

In the 1970’s, as a Federal officer, Joe was tasked with guarding Judge W. Arthur Garrity during the contentious Boston desegregation “busing” crisis. He continued his federal employment at the less volatile Boston Coast Guard base where he was able to utilize his carpentry skills and construction knowledge.  When he retired, Joe was a Base Operations Manager.

Joe believed in giving back to the community. He served on the North Reading Planning Board of Appeals. After retirement, as a resident of Port St. Lucie, FL, he volunteered for the Florida Ombudsman program where he advocated for residents of nursing care facilities.

Joe loved woodworking, Jazz, and old horror and science fiction movies. He was a big fan of the Patriots, but a bigger fan of his own children and grandchildren.

Joe is survived by his sons Shaun M. Murphy (Sarah) and Joseph C. Murphy of Kingston, NH. He leaves behind grandchildren Benjamin, Shaun, Sophia, Alison, and Zachary, as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins, near and far. He is also survived by his former spouse Cynthia (Wedge) Murphy, brother Kevin Murphy (Linda) of Andover, and life-long friend, Stephen Eramo. He was predeceased by his sister, Nancy Murphy Townsend, who passed away in 2015.

There will be no service or calling hours. Memorial donations may be made in Joe’s memory to Cornerstone VNA, 178 Farmington Road, Rochester, NH 03867 (https://cornerstonevna.org).

Sally A. (Lord) Maker– 83, of North Reading, passed away at home with her loved ones on Thursday, June 11th, 2026, after a brief illness.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts on October 20th, 1942, she was the beloved daughter of the late Wilbur C. and Edith F. (Kitchell) Lord.

Sally was a lifelong resident of North Reading, graduating from North Reading High School, Class of 1960.

Sally worked for many years at Analog Devices, retiring early to care for her mother Edith. For the last 15 years, she kept busy working at Market Basket in Reading up until October of 2025.

She loved her grandchildren with all her heart and treasured their time and memories together, especially a trip to Disney World with her two grandchildren Nicole and Paul in 1999. She was blessed in life to become a Great Grandmother to Harper in 2018. Harper was truly the highlight of her day, every day. “Nanny” to Harper, and “Nana” to Nicole and Paul, Sally had a gift for making people feel loved.

Sally loved cooking meals for her family, like her famous chicken pot pie, a now legendary family heirloom recipe. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, camping, bingo, and trips to Foxwoods, but she loved nothing more than to be surrounded by family and her adored pets.

She leaves behind her loving family members, including: her husband George E. Maker Jr., daughter Diane Saraceno and her late husband Arthur, son Chris Maker, her beloved grandchildren: Nicole Saraceno, Paul Saraceno and his wife Catie Murphy Saraceno, and her favorite girl, her great granddaughter Harper, daughter of Nicole. Sally was surpassed in death by her brother George Lord and his wife Roberta, and her sister Nancy Porter and her husband Richard. Sally was also loved and survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 18th from 4 to 7pm, followed by a service at 7pm at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the North Reading Food Pantry. Thank you. https://nrfoodpantry.org/donate

Linda I. Carpenter – 80, of Danvers and formerly of North Reading, passed away at the Kaplin Family Hospice House in Danvers on Tuesday, June 10, 2026.

Born in Stoneham, MA on February 18, 1946. She was the daughter of the late Walter F. and Florence I. (Neal) Carpenter.

She was raised and attended school in North Reading and was a graduate of North Reading High School, Class of 1963.

Linda worked as a waitress at Sam and Joe’s in Danvers and as a bartender for over twenty years at the Yankee Lounge in Peabody.

She enjoyed gardening and taking care of her cat and her fish.

Family members include her loving daughter Edith A. Carpenter of Peabody; her sister Lee MacNeil of Andover; her niece Jessie M. Lavacchia of Andover; she was the mother of the late Michelle Carpenter and sister of the late Gary Carpenter.

Her Graveside Service will be held on Monday, June 15 at 11:00 AM in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. There will be no calling hours. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Kaplin Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty Street, Danvers, MA 01923. Arrangements are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home. 19 Bow Street, North Reading.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of our mother, Holly  (Waterhouse) Cochrane. She passed peacefully at home in Billerica on June 8,2026 at the age of 75 surrounded by her loving family. She was born on December 21, 1950 in Winchester to the late Paul and Roberta Waterhouse.            

Holly’s life was one of resilience, strength, and love.  She was a proud graduate of North Reading High School, Class of 1969.  She went on to further her education at the Andover School of Business.  Her professional career was marked by dedication and hard work.  She spent many years with the TJX corporation as a computer programmer, and later with the US Postal Service.  Most recently, she was employed as a CNA at Lahey Clinic in Burlington where she retired from in September 2024 after 16 years.

Holly was a woman with many talents and commitments.  She was a proud member of the Wakefield Elks where she spent many years playing Bingo on Sunday evenings with many of her friends. She helped organize and distribute Thanksgiving meals for needy families with her fellow Elk members. She was also a pivotal volunteer for the Wakefield Elks Common Ground outing that was held each year at Lake Quannapowitt. She later moved her Bingo playing to the Billerica Elks on Wednesday nights where she helped run the kitchen.  She made many lasting friendships throughout her life.

Holly was a single mother who worked tirelessly to provide a nurturing and loving home for her three daughters. Her family was her greatest joy and she cherished every moment that she spent with them. It was often requested for her to make lasagna, fruit pudding, and chicken wings for family gatherings.

She leaves behind a legacy of strength, generosity, love, and commitment.

Holly is survived by her three daughters and their husbands, Christa and Bob Withrow of Chelmsford, Shannon and Eddie MacDonald of Billerica, and Kim and Chris Climo of Chelmsford.  She leaves behind her nine grandchildren, Steven, Eddie, and Kyler MacDonald, Kaitlyn, Bobby, and Dylan Withrow, and Mikayla, Madison, and Mia Climo.  She was the great grandmother of Jackson MacDonald and Mackenzie and Allison Martinez.  

She is also survived by her four siblings of which she shared an especially close bond with her older sister Elizabeth Gagnon. She also leaves many nieces and nephews.

Holly’s presence was a blessing to all that were lucky to know her.  Her legacy will live on in her kids and grandkids.  She will forever remain in our hearts.  We take comfort knowing that she lived a full life and is now at peace where she is reunited with her loving parents. 

Family and friends are invited to celebrate her remarkable life at Croswell Funeral Home, located at 19 Bow Street, North Reading, MA on Monday, June 22 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.