Douglas Edward Strachan, 70, of Melrose, formerly of North Reading, passed away unexpectedly on July 10th at his home following a long illness. His longtime companion, Cristine Cardello, was by his side.

Douglas was born August 30, 1950 in Stoneham, MA. Growing up, the second of four children, “Dougie” was known for his curly red hair, twinkling blue eyes, protective personality and extraordinary sense of humor. Youthful passions included drawing, camping and summers on “The Red Legs” baseball mound playing Little League under the watchful eye of his father and head coach, Donald Strachan. An accomplished Boy Scout he excelled at all things outdoors, and by the time he reached high school, the lanky teen had caught the eye of North Reading High School’s Cross Country Team. He went on to letter in multiple sports and graduated in the class of 1968.

Enterprising and energetic, Doug spent time as a lobster fisherman. His vocation however was short-lived, as his uncanny “lobstah” trapping skills often produced an overabundance of live crustaceans… which in turn filled and spilled out of his parent’s refrigerators, freezers, bathtubs and sinks. Shortly thereafter (and to his mother’s relief) he moved into a career that would span some 50 years: the automotive parts and repair industry. A wise decision for a young man known throughout the North Shore for his talented “tinkering” and ability to fix any car, truck or boat engine he could find. In the coming years Doug’s deep love for family and the great outdoors culminated in a beloved multi-generational lake home in Maine. The 6 bedroom cabin – which he built alongside his father and brother Donny – was his pride and joy, a nirvana of sorts: filled with pine trees, moose sightings, crackling fires and midnight swims. And it was here Doug lived his happiest moments: seated contently in his lake boat, eating red hot dogs, and teaching children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews the fine art of fishing… all the while casting line after line into his top secret fishing spot, “Bass Heaven.”

He is survived by daughter, Linda J. Strachan (Mary Ade) of Nantucket and son, Douglas J. Strachan of Atlanta, GA; his 7 grandchildren: Thomas Murphy, Kathryn Murphy, Meghan Murphy, Sam Murphy, Daniel Murphy, Oscar Strachan and Shiloh Strachan; his dear sisters: Kathleen (Richard) Farrar of Carver, Patricia (Brian) Hantzis of West Henrietta, NY, sister-in-law Carol Strachan of Billerica; and nieces and nephews: Rachel (goddaughter), Emily, Donald, Kristen, Richard, Mark, Brian (godson) and Adam. Douglas joins his beloved parents Donald and Kathleen Sullivan Strachan, brother, Donald C. Strachan and granddaughter, Emma Rose Murphy.

A private wake will be held July 20th at Croswell Funeral Home followed by a private interment at Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made in honor of his late brother, Don C. Strachan, to Massachusetts General Hospital. Address: Massachusetts General Hospital, Development Office, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114.

https://www.massgeneral.org/cancer-center/about/support-us All donations deeply appreciated.

On Saturday, July 17^th, 2021, Kathleen V. Austin (Reilly), loving wife, nana and sister, passed away at the age of 65.

Kathy was the beloved wife of Gerald K. Austin of North Reading, MA. Treasured daughter of the late Thomas J. Reilly, Jr. and Nora M. (McConnell), sister of Nancy Reilly of Chalfont, PA, and Thomas J. Reilly, III (Barbara), of Florida. Caring stepmother of Christopher Austin (Donovan), Melissa Austin, and Julie Feliz (Fred). Cherished Nana of Alexander and Marisol Feliz. Also survived by her nephew and niece, as well as many dear friends.

Kathy was raised in Folsom, Pennsylvania. Growing up, Kathy was an amazing volleyball and basketball player. She graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and pursed a career in Configuration Management. She met her beloved husband, Jerry at Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge where they both worked.

Kathy was a talented stained-glass artist, and an avid quilter. She had a flare for cooking and baking. With her husband by her side, she enjoyed musical theatre, concerts, especially the Boston Pops.

Kathy loved spending time with family and doting on her grandchildren.  She enjoyed visits with her dear friend Betty. Kathy had many good friends she cherished. She will be greatly missed by all.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, July 22, from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, at Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St. North Reading, with service to immediately follow at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Christopher J. Shaw- 61, of North Reading, Mass. died on July 15, 2021, in Winchester.

Chris was born in Chelsea on June 8, 1960, and he was the beloved son of Frederick M. and Carolyn B. (Erickson) Shaw of North Reading and was the oldest of 7 children.

He was a lifelong resident of North Reading and was a member of the Class of 1979 at North Reading High School where he was a star athlete on his baseball and basketball teams.  Following high school, he joined his family working as a carpenter for Frederick M. Shaw & Sons Construction.  Every day he enjoyed working with his father and brothers and his sense of humor brought comic relief to the work site.

Family was especially important to Chris. He loved his daughter Nicole and all his nieces and nephews. Finding out he had a daughter late in life brought him so much joy. He will be remembered by many for his special gift of making people laugh.

A sports enthusiast, he loved the New England sports teams. He enjoyed golfing, playing horseshoes, camping with the family, men’s softball, participating in wiffleball tournaments and fishing.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his daughter, Nicole McCoy and her fiancé Johnny of Woburn, his brothers, Drew Shaw and his wife Janet (Ahlman) of Parsonfield, ME, Rick Shaw and his girlfriend Andrea Scuito of Wilmington, Terry Shaw and his wife Tracy (Despres) of N. Reading and Brendon Shaw and his wife Kerri (Gallo) of N. Reading and sisters, Diana Stokes and her husband John of N. Reading, Valerie Previte and her husband Mat of Andover, nieces and nephews, Jillian, Kimberlee, Danielle, Bobby, Ahmed, Yousef, Adam, Hillary, Bridget, Tommy, Emily, Kayla, Nichole, Billy, Christie, and Danny and great nieces Grace, Emma and Kyra.

Visitation will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading, on Saturday, July 24, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St. Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Richard A. “Dickie” Rose- 84, of Derry, NH, formerly of North Reading, Naples, ME and Medford, MA died July 11, 2021.

He was born on October 26, 1936, and was the youngest of four children of the late Manuel and Jesse (Alfama) Rose.

Dick graduated from Medford High School and went on to receive his bachelor’s degree from Fitchburg State College.

For 30 years, he worked for Greater Lowell Regional Vocational High School as a carpentry teacher. He also served a total of 25 years in the Air Force, Army, and Navy Reserves.

Some of Dickie’s favorite things were traveling in his motor-home exploring the country, golfing, boating, and enjoying summers in Maine and warm winters in Florida.  After retiring, he took on a summer part-time job at Sebago Lake Campground where he was able to do his favorite thing, socializing and meeting new people.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Martha M. (Pustizzi), daughters, Karen and April Rose and sisters, Mary Hutchins, Dolores Taylor, and brother Manuel Rose.

He is survived by wife Margaret (Callahan) Rose, his children, Joanne M. Rose of Winslow, ME, Linda Rose-French and her husband Dennis French of Derry, NH, Richie Rose and his wife Barbara of Townsend, MA, his stepchildren, Mark and wife Chris Vallante, Lori Vallante and Jodi Vallante, 11 grandchildren, Dennis French, Joanna French, Christopher Caron, Spencer Caron, Jacob and Noah Rose, George, Erica and Lucas Notini, Amanda and Emily Vallante and 2 great grandchildren, Natalie and Atticus. He is also survived by several sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading, on Thursday, July 15, from 4:00-8:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter St., North Reading, on Monday, July 26, at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Greater Lowell Technical High School Memorial Scholarship Program, 250 Pawtucket Blvd., Tyngsborough, MA 01879. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Mary L. Turilli, – 73, of Stoneham, formerly of North Reading, died July 8, 2021 in her home surrounded by her loving family.  Mary was born April 16, 1948 to Fred and Delphina Turilli of North Reading. She was the youngest of their five daughters. Mary was predeceased by her sister Irene Bourne, and her brothers-in-law George Bourne and Daniel Doherty. She is survived by her sisters Josephine Doherty of North Reading, Anna Mercuri and her husband George of Chelmsford, and Rose Babine and her husband Ted of Andover. She was known as “Auntie Mary” and loved by 11 nieces and nephews, and 30 grand nieces and nephews.

Mary graduated from North Reading High School in 1966. She spent the majority of her career in the transportation industry at Horizon Air Services where she became President and Partner and helped to build the foundation of a successful business.

Mary was known for being extremely kind and generous.  More than anything, she loved to spend time with her friends and family and made them all feel special and loved – always attending and supporting their events small and large.  Mary’s favorite things to do were going to the beach, cooking and baking, making floral arrangements, crafting, gardening, shopping, and creating gift baskets to help raise money for various organizations.  She was also the Queen of the Red Hat Scarlet Glories – spending many fun times with her friends on their outings together.

Funeral from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., on Tuesday, July 13, at  9:30 A.M. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter St., North Reading at 10:30 A.M. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Monday, July 12, from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M.

Click link below for St. Theresa’s Live Stream

https://www.sttheresanreading.org/livestream-video.html

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Mary to The National Breast Cancer Society (www.nationalbreastcancer.org) National Breast Cancer Foundation PO Box 676910 Dallas, TX 75267-6910 or The Liver Foundation (www.liverfoundation.org) Charitable Giving American Liver Foundation PO Box 299 West Orange, NJ 07052 www.croswellfuneralhome.com