Muriel F. (Way) Anderson – 91 of North Reading and formerly of New Haven, CT, passed away peacefully on Saturday May 27, 2023, after a long and beautiful life.

Born in New Haven, CT on October 17, 1931, Muriel was the daughter of the late Harold B. and Lila Elizabeth (O’Brien) Way.  She was predeceased by her sister Gloria J. Way and her brother Harold B Way, Jr.  She was a graduate of Hill House High School in New Haven, CT and was an insurance administrator at American Mutual in Wakefield for many years. She was a resident of North Reading for more than 66 Years.

Muriel was a loving wife and mother dedicated to her family.  She enjoyed bird watching, cooking, baking cookies among other sweets, and watching Judge Judy.  Muriel enjoyed sailing with her husband Carl off the Coast of New England for four decades.

Family members include the love of her life, soulmate and husband of 67 years, the late Carl J. A. Anderson, Jr; Loving Sons, David C. Anderson and his wife Laura and Peter L. Anderson and his wife Kathleen; 4 grandchildren, Jennifer LeMasurier and her husband David, Stephen Anderson and his wife Sherie, Kristina Anderson, Kyle Anderson, and his fiancé Chelsie Boudreau. 6 great grandchildren including Gregory, Jeffrey, Bradley, and Katie LeMasurier, and John and Lucas Anderson.

Her funeral will be held on Friday June 2 at 10:00 AM at Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Calling hours will be held on Thursday June 1 from 5 to 7 PM. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice.  www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Daniel  A.  Donahue – 55, of North Reading, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Sunday, May 21, 2023.

Born in Somerville, MA on November 30, 1967. He was a lifelong resident of North Reading. He attended North Reading public schools and was a graduate of North Reading High School.

Dan worked at Standard Duplicating Machines Corporation in Andover. He also spent many years working as a fry cook at a local North Reading Restaurant.

Dan was always a hard worker who always helped others. He enjoyed his yearly Columbus Day weekend get away with his brothers to Pittsburg, NH. They would reminisce about times when they were younger and visit camp almost every weekend. Dan enjoyed all the simple things.

Family members include his loving mother, Linda C. Cormier of North Reading and his father, Thomas F. Donahue, III of Easton; his brothers, Thomas F. Donahue, IV and his wife Kathleen of Plaistow, NH and James R. Donahue and his wife Theresa of North Reading; his nephew, Thomas F. Donahue, V of Plaistow, NH; his nieces, Kaileen and Lauren Donahue of Plaistow, NH; and his dog Tucker.

His services will be private. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the North Reading Food Pantry, 150 Haverhill Street, North Reading, MA 01864. Arrangements are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Richard E. “Rick” Hoyt, Jr. –Of Leicester, formerly of Westfield and North Reading. In the early hours of Monday, May 22, 2023, Rick passed away gently in his sleep due to complications with his respiratory system.  Rick was 61 years old.  He was predeceased by his mother Judy and father Dick.  Rick is survived by his brother Rob and his wife Zaida; his brother Russ and his wife Lisa; his niece Cassandra; his nephew Jaymes and his wife Kate and Rick’s great nephew Parker; his nephew Cam and soon to be bride Zoe; his nephew Troy and his wife Amanda; and his nephew Ryan.  Rick’s many aunts, uncles and cousins who were all an intricate part of his life are also mourning his loss.     Rick will be remembered by an immeasurable number of friends, colleagues and admirers.

Services will be at the Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill Street, North Reading on Saturday June 17, 2023 at 11:00 AM and will be live streamed so all that knew and care about Rick can honor his memory.  The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Hoyt Foundation at TEAMHOYT.COM. Arrangements are by Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Joan Elizabeth (Arsenault) Parker – 73, of Orleans and formerly of North Reading, passed away on Saturday, May 13, 2023. She was born to the late Ronald and Rita Arsenault, April 8, 1950, in Winchester, MA. Joan graduated from North Reading High School in 1968 and was married to the late Forrest Parker in 1976. She is pre-deceased by her older sister Ellaine Goodsell and younger brother Ricky Arsenault, and survived by her 3 siblings, Ronnie Arsenault, Susan Davis, and Kelly Malecki, her three sons Todd, Kyle and Brendon Parker, stepson Patrick Parker, her grandchildren Madeline, Bowdie, Finnegan, Sam and Meara and many cousins and close relatives in the Arsenault family who were dear to her heart.

Joan raised her children on Cape Cod and worked in the beauty care industry, eventually opening hair salons of her own in the 1980s. Her entrepreneurial spirit eventually led her to warmer climes in Florida to try new vocations in sales and finally to the insurance industry where she became a catastrophe adjuster, responding to Hurricane Katrina for several months in 2005. She is well known for her devotion and hard work, outgoing personality, her ability to make others laugh and received national recognition for her accomplishments in her role as marketing manager for CRDN, handling a large number restoration claims with great success. She retired in 2018, returning to Cape Cod to be closer to family, but often received calls from her peers for consultation and was urged to return to work in her adopted home in Florida.

Throughout her life, Joan was known for her generous and kind spirit, always ready to help those in need and offering encouragement to the young and old alike. Her stories, laughter and sense of humor will be missed and remembered by all of us who were lucky to share our lives with her. Please join us for a celebration of her life at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street in North Reading on Wednesday May 24th, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM with a reception at Kitty’s restaurant afterwards. Her ashes will be returned to the warm beaches of Florida that she enjoyed so much in life.

Harold James Heselton, age 73, of Peabody, formerly of Reading, Andover, North Reading and Wakefield passed away peacefully on Friday, May 5, 2023, at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.

Harold was predeceased by his parents Edith Viola (Dame) Heselton Gallant and Frederick Wakefield Heselton of North Reading; his sister Edith Nancy Heselton of Hudson, NH and brother Frederick Heselton of Amesbury; and his mother-in-law Barbara T. (MacDonald) Barrett and father in-law George R. Barrett of North Reading.

He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Barbara Ann (Barrett) Heselton of Peabody; his brother Albert Heselton and wife Kay of Brooksville, FL; sisters Rita Melanson of Weeki Wachee, FL and Brenda Fast of Brooksville, FL; his children Keith Heselton of Manchester, CT and Matthew Heselton and wife Andrea Cutone of Reading; his grandchildren Zachary Heselton and Abigail Heselton of Auburn; as well as many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. He was also deeply loved by his faithful canine companion.

Harold graduated from North Reading High School in 1968. Later that same year, he joined the Army National Guard, reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant.  He trained as a mechanic and served as a cook during his time in the service. During his military service, Harold pursued a career as a butcher. He was employed for just under 40 years by the Atlantic Food Mart in North Reading and Reading, where he was highly regarded by colleagues and customers alike.

Harry was a man of many interests and enjoyed a variety of activities, including reading mysteries, fantasy, sci-fi, and crime drama. He was a big fan of “Spenser: For Hire.” In addition to his love of reading, Harry also enjoyed gardening, cooking, listening to music, especially oldies and going for walks. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching the Patriots and Red Sox. He also never missed the annual Army/Navy game.

Harry cherished spending time with his wife, kids, extended family, friends, and his beloved dog. He and his wife would often be seen sharing lunch at the Last Corner Restaurant in Reading. While Harry was brought up Baptist, he raised his children Catholic, attended Mass, and had plans to officially join the Catholic Church. Although Harry was known for being a man of few words, he always had a warm smile and was friendly to everyone he met.

A funeral Mass for Harold will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, May 20 at Christ The King Parish (St. Agnes Church, 186 Woburn St. in Reading). Calling hours will be held on Friday, May 19 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading, MA 01864. Interment will follow the funeral Mass at Wood End Cemetery in Reading. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Harold’s name to the charity of your choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com