Daniel K. O’Brien – 79, of Newton, NH and Naples, FL, and formerly of North Reading, MA, passed away peacefully amongst family on May 8, 2022. Daniel (Dan) was a loving husband for 56 years to his recently deceased wife, Kathleen with whom he lived in North Reading for 38 years and raised his 3 children Kristine, Julie and Dan.

Born in 1942, Dan attended Saint Francis de Sales Parochial School in Charlestown and graduated from Boston Technical High School in 1960. He went on to earn a degree in Aircraft Maintenance Technology from Wentworth Institute of Technology in 1962. A dedicated life-long learner, Dan earned four additional degrees from Northeastern University: Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Electrical Engineering, Master of Business Administration, and Master of Electrical Engineering. In 2005, he earned his Doctorate of Engineering from University of Massachusetts at Lowell. He also served our country as an active-duty member of the Army National Guard.

While working at the telephone company as a young engineer, Dan was tasked with designing an emergency call response system. His design entitled “EMERGENCY SERVICE 911 ARRANGED FOR #1XBAR AND PANEL C.O.” is known today as “911.” The design was widely deployed, and although it has been updated over the years with changing technologies, Dan’s original design helped countless people in need of emergency help. He moved on to engineering management positions within the telephone company (New England Telephone, NYNEX, AT&T) and retired after 30 years. Dan found another passion in his second career, teaching electrical engineering and mathematics at Merrimack College in North Andover for well over a decade.

He was happiest in life when surrounded by his adoring family. He enjoyed golfing, playing his guitars, reading engineering text books, and watching the ocean sunsets with his beloved wife, Kathy.

Dan will be dearly missed by his children: Kristine (O’Brien) Davis and her husband Joe Davis of North Reading, Julie (O’Brien) Fennell and her husband David Fennell of Auckland, New Zealand, and Daniel O’Brien and his wife Alicia (Moore) O’Brien of Dedham. He will always be remembered as a loving Grampy to his six grandchildren: Patrick and Erin Davis; Shaun Fennell; and Raelyn, Maeve, and Mila O’Brien.

Dan is also survived by his sisters Beverly Rogers of Gloucester, and Marion Connolly of Duxbury, and his brother Edward O’Brien of Naples, FL.

He was predeceased by his parents James and Mary O’Brien, his brother James O’Brien, and his sister Patricia (O’Brien) Whitlock, all formerly of Charlestown

Visiting hours will be held between 1pm to 3pm on Sunday, May 15 at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street in North Reading. A funeral mass will be celebrated at Saint Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street, North Reading on Monday, May 16 at 10:30am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Daniel O’Brien to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 (www.stjude.org). www.Croswellfuneralhome.com

Ralph J. Sweetland, Jr. –Retired North Reading Deputy Chief, Ralph J. Sweetland, Jr. of North Reading and Naples, ME, died on Saturday, April 9, 2022. He was 89.

Ralph, known as Jack to his family and friends, was born to the late Madeline (Esty) and Ralph J. Sweetland, Sr. in a house on Main Street and lived in town for over65 years. Mr. Sweetland attended the Batchelder Elementary School; later graduating from Reading High School in 1952. He attended Franklin Technical Institute while working at his family’s business, D & S Service Station and as a part-time Call Firefighter.

During the Korean conflict, Jack enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and after serving for 3 years returned home to continue his 40 year career with the NRFD, serving as Acting Chief and retiring as Deputy Chief.

Jack married Priscilla (Burleigh) on Valentine’s Day 1959, raised 4 children together and celebrated 63 years of marriage. Throughout his life Jack was active playing tennis, gardening, skiing and home improvement projects. He is also well known for being there when needed. If the neighbors had bats in their living space, he showed up with tennis racket in hand. When the snow storms hit, he was plowing out the neighborhood. And when the river behind his house froze, he made sure it was safe for the neighborhood children to skate.

In his retirement, Jack could be found on the slopes of Shawnee Peak most mornings and in the summer months he enjoyed exchanging stories with other old-timers at the local bait shop in Naples.  Jack loved gardening, but despised woodchucks.  He spent over 50 years boating on Sebago Lake where he had taught many how to waterski.

Jack had a wit and sense of humor that came out at unexpected times and had a devilish way about him. At times he was known as Bad Jack, but he was truly a gentleman, was genuine, and will be missed by those who knew him well.

Jack is survived by his wife Priscilla, son Karl B. and his wife Kim of Tyngsborough, daughter Kristine P. and daughter-in-law Karen of North Reading, grandchildren Gabrielle, Joshua, and Tristan, several nieces, nephews, and is pre-deceased by his son Brian E., daughter Lissa R. and brother Gerald.

Mr. Sweetland’s funeral will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Tuesday, May 17 at 11 am. Visitation will be held on Monday, May 16 from 4 to 7 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the North Reading Fire Department.

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Janet L. (Cangiano) O’Leary – 62, of North Reading, formerly of East Boston, passed away peacefully on April 30, 2022, surrounded with love.
She was a graduate of Julie Billiart Central High School and Mount Ida Junior College, and completed her Bachelor of Science Degree at Suffolk University.  Although she enjoyed her days working for Eastern Airlines, her true calling was raising her children and treasuring her time with her grandchildren.
Known to her loved ones as “Mimi,” she went to great lengths to make every moment a memory, and every gathering a special occasion.  She absolutely loved and adored her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.  Mimi never met a Disney princess she didn’t like, and, for the children, she would always bring them to life.  She knew how to make a house a home, and was an expert in many things, including sewing, crafting—and napping.
To know her was to love her.  If anyone came to Janet in a time of need, she went above and beyond—and would give them, quite literally, the shirt off her back and the shoes off her feet, without hesitation, and without expecting anything in return.  When she wasn’t doting on her grandchildren, she was in her element bargain shopping with her lifelong friend Frani, and taking long drives in classic cars with her loving husband Paul.  Her love and affection for family and friends knew no bounds.

Janet is survived by her beloved husband of twenty-eight years, Paul O’Leary of North Reading, and her mother, Marie Dalton of Saugus.  She was a loving mother and parent to Michele Reid and her husband Justin, Paul M. Donatelli, and Nicole Coviello and her husband Jared, all of North Reading, Jennifer Demers and her husband Greg of Middleton, and Paul O’Leary Jr. and his wife Lyndsay of Ladson, SC.  She is also survived by her siblings Pat Cangiano and his wife Jean of North Reading, Denise Herland and her husband John of Wakefield, Biaggio Cangiano and his wife Jaime of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, and Lydia Cangiano of West Palm Beach, FL, as well as her many nieces and nephews, and her grandchildren Mia, Gabriella, Bronwynn, Wesley, Lorenzo, Elle, Isabella, and Isla.

Janet is now reunited with her birth parents, the late Basil Cangiano and Mary Scalfani Cangiano.

Janet passed away following a brief and courageous battle with leukemia that extinguished her life but not her light.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her memory to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, to support the amazing team of medical professionals searching for a cure.  https://www.dana-farber.org/how-you-can-help/ways-to-give/make-a-memorial-or-tribute-gift/

Her funeral will be held from Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Friday, May 6, at 9:15 A.M. followed by a 10:30 A.M. Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street, North Reading. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, May 5 from 4 to 8 P.M. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

   Stephen  J.  Day – 78, of North Andover and formerly Reading, peacefully passed away at his home on April 21, 2022, surrounded by loved ones.

Stephen was born on January 26, 1944, to the late Francis and Mildred Day in Boston. He graduated from Reading High School in 1961 and he went on to study history at UMASS Amherst.  After graduating, he landed his first job teaching at Medford High School where his vast knowledge of history and geography filled the minds of his students for 35 years. He also served in the United States Army Reserve from 1966-1972.

He married Cathleen (Tellier) Day in 1982 and together they have four daughters; Christine, Pamela, Kimberly, and Elizabeth.

Stephen had many talents, hobbies, and passions. He was a dedicated member of the Knights of Columbus in North Reading. He played on several local softball and hockey leagues while also coaching softball for Medford High School and North Andover Booster League. He prided himself on his amateur meteorological skills, his ability to name almost any Top 100 Billboards hit before 1990 and his Fenway Park inspired mowed lawn. He enjoyed playing golf with friends and never missed a chance to see his daughters play sports.

Stephen is survived by his wife, Cathleen Day; brother, Philip Day and wife Jan Peterson; sister, Ellen Rawlings and husband Peter; daughters, Christine Bowie and husband Paul, Pamela Eberhardt-Ladd and husband Seth, Kimberly Day and betrothed William Campbell, and Elizabeth Day; and grandchildren, Bridget and Fiona Eberhardt-Ladd.

His funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Friday, April 29 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 Thursday, April 28 from 4 to 7 PM. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Robert “Robbie” Robinson – 86, of Londonderry, NH, formerly of Winchester and Medford, passed away on April 18, 2022 at Parkland Medical Center in Derry NH. He was the beloved husband of the late Janice (Parece) Robinson.

Born in Medford, MA on January 3, 1936, he was the son of the late Leslie B. and Mary (Barter) Robinson. Bob was a graduate of the Medford Vocational High School. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran of the Vietnam Conflict. He served from 1958 to 1964 and was assigned aboard the U.S.S. Midway (CVA-41).

He worked as a stable foreman for the MDC Mounted Police in Stoneham for 35 years and foreman for the Massachusetts Water Authority. He worked part time in the funeral Industry for over forty years and worked for the Croswell Funeral Home in North Reading for 35 years. He currently worked for the New Hampshire Auto Auction for the past ten years.

Bob had a great love for his country, his family and his love for his many dogs during his life. He loved horses and was a licensed horse riding Instructor in Massachusetts.

Bob was a member of the Bay State Antique Auto Club in Dedham and PT Cruiser Club. He loved antique cars and was the owner of many. He attended many car shows and he also collected Sebastians. He was a member of the American Legion Post, No. 27 in Londonderry, NH and the U.S.S. Midway Reunion Association.

Family members include his loving sister, Carol Abreu and her husband Paul of Medford; brothers, Paul Robinson of Malden and Tom Robinson of Derry, NH; nieces, Kim McClain, Stacey Gelinas and Michelle Hollaron; nephews, Darren and his wife Van Abreu, Danny, PJ and Brian Robinson; stepdaughters, Kim Fredrikson, Lauren Gentz, stepfather of the late Brenda Waller and Erik Fredrikson; also survived by his dog Pippy.

Visitation will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street North Reading on Wednesday, April 27 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, followed by a brief service and military honors. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516 or to the American Cancer Society,  https://donate3.cancer.org www.croswellfuneralhome.com