Etta (Humphrey) Gibbs – 86, of North Reading and formerly of Wakefield, died peacefully at her home on Saturday, July 4, 2020. She was the beloved wife of the late William Towle Gibbs.

Born in Silver Ridge Plantation, ME on August 16, 1933. She was the daughter of the late Vinal F. and Edna V. (Armstrong) Humphrey. Etta was a graduate of Gorham High School in Gorham, ME. She began her degree at Northeastern Business School in Portland, ME., and completed at the University of Maine receiving her Bachelors Degree, followed by a Master’s in Business Administration from Boston University.

Etta began her career teaching at The Katherine Gibbs School in Boston. She then worked as an executive secretary for Nixdorf Computer (now Siemens), and Apollo Computer (now Hewlett-Packard), before leaving to become the Administrator for Trinity Evangelical Church, in North Reading, until her retirement.

Etta had endless energy and a big heart. She had a sharp sense of humor and loved to laugh and spread Joy. She enjoyed spending time with her family, church family and friends. She always had time for those who reached out to her for counsel or comfort. Above all she loved God completely. She spent 37 years married to the love of her life and dedicated her life to God after his passing. She is now happy in heaven, reunited with Jesus and loved ones basking in the love of God, who she served with all her heart.

Family members include her loving children, Susan Gibbs Saccardo of North Reading, William Alan Gibbs of Wakefield, her sister, Dorothy Ramsdell of Litchfield, NH; her grandchildren Daniel Saccardo and Dahra Pote, her great grandson, Ernest Jae Saccardo, and her foster daughter, Wendy Mason of Lisbon, ME.

Her Funeral will be held at Trinity Evangelical Church, 105 Haverhill Street, North Reading on Friday, July 10 at 10:00 AM. Calling hours will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Thursday, July 9 from 4 to 8 PM. Interment at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Peabody. All current Covid-19 protocols and restrictions are in place and Funeral Home Capacity will be limited to a maximum of 50 people at one time. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be in her memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Casey, Leo Padraic, Jr.- Age 88 years, died peacefully on June 24, 2020 at his home in North Reading, MA in the loving care of his family.

Leo was born July 23, 1931 in Chelsea, MA to Mildred and Leo P. Casey. Leo and his siblings– Brian, Sheila, Donal and Carol–grew up in a household that appreciated both education and fun–literature and stickball, philosophy and touch football.

After graduating from Chelsea High School, Leo attended Boston College and graduated with a degree in Sociology.

Leo proudly served in the US Army from 1953 to 1955. After his time in the army, Leo obtained a Master’s Degree and advanced graduate certificate from Boston University in Counseling.

Leo’s first position in education was in Norwalk, CT as a middle school teacher, the start of a 37 year career in teaching and guidance. Leo spent many of these years as a guidance counselor in Melrose, MA Junior and Senior High School. Leo was a born listener and focused his energies on one student at a time. His non-judgmental presence helped many students at challenging times in their lives.

Early in his career Leo met and married Anne Hurley. The two were married on June 2, 1956 at St. Rose Church in Chelsea.

Leo always considered his greatest accomplishment to be his marriage of 64 years to Anne and his loving relationship with his 5 children and their spouses, 12 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Leo believed strongly that the compassionate care of children was the key to a peaceful life, and every baby that came through Leo’s life was graced by his gentle and deep love.

Leo enjoyed his many years of golf with close friends, and especially his weekly outing with his special friend Jimmy Morse. Leo thought deeply about social issues and enjoyed lively discussions with colleagues. He treasured his time with family at the beach and around the pool and he had a long-term and consistent love for Boston sports teams.

 Leo was predeceased by siblings Brian, Sheila, Donal and Carol. Leo is lovingly remembered by his wife Anne, his daughter Kathy DiTroia and her husband Mike of North Andover, MA, his daughter Maureen Henderson and her husband Steve of Hampton, NH, his daughter Diane Shen and her husband Andy of Andover, MA, his daughter Paula Sandusky and her husband John of Stony Point, NY and his son Mike Casey and his wife Anne Marie of Newmarket, NH.

Leo was loving Papa to his grandchildren Kevin, Dan, Casey, Kristen, Marisa, Nikki, Danielle, Rosie, Eric, Erin, Clint and Kelly, and to his great-granddaughter Alice.

Funeral services will be private and are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital at www.stjude.org

Robert  J.  Svehla – 61, of North Reading and formerly of Kentucky, died unexpectedly at his work on Monday, June 15, 2020.

Born in Lexington, KY on April 17, 1959, he was the son of the late William and Patricia (Sweeney) Svehla.

Rob was a graduate of North Reading High School, Class of 1977. He later attended the University of Kentucky and the University of Lowell.

He worked for the U.S. Postal Service in North Reading as a Mail Handler for 35+ years. He was a resident of North Reading for the past 49 years and was a member of St. Theresa’s Church.

Rob was a loving brother and uncle, who was up for anything and always making everyone laugh. When his nieces were younger, he was always playing sports with them in the yard or with beanie babies on the living room floor. His smile and red hair lit up a room and his silly jokes will be sorely missed.

Rob loved to cook and experiment with fresh ingredients. He could often be found watching Kentucky basketball games and cheering loudly for the Wildcats. He enjoyed listening to Jimmy Buffet and traveling to Key West with his brother. He loved to watch golf and would practice his swing often.

Family members include his loving sister, Carol A. Morrissey and her husband Phil; brothers, Michael Stanley Svehla and the late Richard William Svehla; nieces, Brenna and Rachel Morrissey.

In light of the current events, a memorial service for Rob will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made in Rob’s name to the American Heart Association, 300 5^th Ave., Suite 6, Waltham, MA 02451. Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Joseph G. Gigante – 89, of North Reading and formerly of Dorchester, died Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington.

Born in Boston, MA on March 18, 1931, he was the son of the late Gabriel and Rita (DeAngelosante) Gigante. He was a graduate of Charlestown High School, Class of 1948 and later attended Wentworth Institute in Boston.

He was a U.S. Air Force Veteran of the Korean War, he served from 1950 to 1956, he also served with the Army Air Corps from 1949 to 1950.

Joe was a retired Electrical Inspector for the Town of North Reading for many years and a retired Vice President of Burlington Engineering, a Division of Interstate Electrical Services in Billerica. He was also involved with the Hoist and Crane Industry. Joe was well known in the material handling business throughout New England.

He has been a resident of North Reading for the past 64 years and a member of St. Theresa’s Church. He was a former School Committee member for the Northeast Regional Metropolitan Regional School in Wakefield. Joe was a member of the North Reading Moose Lodge and served as a former Past Governor, he coached and umpired for the North Reading Little League and coached for the North Reading Youth Hockey League. Joe enjoyed being active in the North Reading Men’s Softball League where he coached for many years, he was a member of the North Reading Bowling League and was also an avid New England sports fan.

He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and would always be there to lend a helping hand to anyone.

Family members include his loving wife of 64 years, Jean M. (Muller) Gigante; his sons, Joseph Gigante and his wife Christine and Stephen Gigante and his wife Tamara DerAnanian; his daughter, Gemma Gigante Alvarez and her husband Bob; grandchildren, Casandra and Tianna Alvarez, Joseph and Michael Gigante; brothers, Dino Gigante and his wife Doris, Anthony Gigante and his wife Anne and his sister, Mary Cincotta.

Graveside services were held on Thursday, June 18 at 11:00 AM in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to National Shrine of St. Jude Claretian Missionaries, 205 W. Monroe St., Chicago, IL 60606. Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Florence “Bobbi” Confalone , 89 of North Reading, Ma. passed away on June 12, 2020. Born in Auburn, Me. on May 11, 1931. She was the daughter of the late Victor Beauparlant and Martha Montgomery. She was raised in Auburn, Me. She spent most of her adult life in Saugus and North Reading Ma. She had a long career as a waitress, but most of all as a homemaker. She loved her many pets she had through her life along with her gardening.   She loved going out to country line dancing with the girls and helping in the kitchen at the Lynnfield, Ma. Senior Center, but you could always find her out enjoying the pool with family & friends or just catching some sun for her famous tan. She is predeceased by her loving husband Joseph A. Confalone.   Survived by her family: daughter Jane Raymond of Greene, Me.; son Scot Carleton and wife Diane of Methuen, Ma., grandchildren Kimberly Shallow and husband Donnie of Fla., Derick Raymond and wife Shelley, Ehrin Raymond and Adam Raymond of Me; Zachary Carleton and Michael Carleton of   Ma.; great grandchildren Gavin and Gage Raymond of Me. The family has asked that there be no calling hours. A private family service will be held at Riverside Cemetery North Reading, Ma. In lieu of flowers, and in memory of Bobbi, the family request that memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association https:act.alz.org/donate   . Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading, MA  www.croswellfuneralhome.com