Raymond Henry Kelly, 49, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, June 24, 2018. A long time resident of North Reading, Ray worked as a carpenter for most of his career. He loved to cook and was an outrageous risk taker with everything he did. He loved all Motor sports.

Ray was one of a kind and he will be missed by all.

Ray is survived by his parents, Stephen and Deborah Kelly; his brother, Stephen Kelly, Jr. and his wife Laura; his sisters, Janet and her husband Michael Connolly, Lori and her husband Barry Urquhart. Ray was a very proud uncle to Jennifer Wade and her husband Nick and their children, Nick and Ava; Shawn Connolly, DJ and Nick Mawn ; Daniel, Samantha and Shannon Kelly, Jackie Barnaby, Jaxon Fell, and Barry and Mae Urquhart. Ray was also loved by his many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and girlfriend Alicia.

Visitation will be held on Friday, June 29 from 4 to 8 PM, followed by a Service at 8 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Peter C. Sapp – 52, of North Reading and formerly of Huntsville, AL, died at his home, surrounded by his family on Saturday, June 16, 2018. Born in Westminster, CA on August 27, 1965, he was a graduate of Grissom High School in Huntsville, AL, Class of 1983 and graduated with a B.S. in Biology at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Class of 1988. Peter worked as a Research Scientist for Howard Hughes Medical Institute at UMass Medical School. Peter spent his entire professional career studying the genetic cause of ALS. He was instrumental in the discovery of the first gene linked with the disease.

He has been a resident of North Reading for the past 26 years. He was an avid soccer fan and coached his three children in North Reading Youth Soccer between 2000-2015. His greatest pleasure was hiking in the woods with his family, friends, and his dog. Family members include his loving wife of 27 years, Ellen (Clifford) Sapp; his son, Adam Sapp; daughters, Kiera Sapp and Susannah Sapp; his parents, T. Phillip Sapp and Bernita (Crater) Sapp; his brother, Paul Sapp; and his sister, Pamela (Sapp) Collins. Visitation will be held on Monday, June 18 from 5 to 8 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. There will be no funeral service. There will be a gathering in Huntsville, Alabama at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory to: The Angel Fund for ALS Research, 649 Main Street, Wakefield, MA 01880, www.theangelfund.org 

www.CroswellFuneralHome.com

William  C. “Bill” Wenzell, Jr. – 42, of North Reading, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, June 12, 2018.

Born in Stoneham, MA on October 15, 1975, he was the son of Sandra (Rinaldi) Wenzell and the late William C. Wenzell, Sr. He was a lifelong resident of North Reading.

Bill was a graduate of the Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational Technical School in Wakefield. He worked for many years as a Laborer and auto mechanic.

Bill was a gentle giant, known for his kindness, strength, passion, humor and all encompassing bear hugs. He enjoyed time with his family and many friends. He had a great passion for the outdoors.

He is also survived by his loving companion for 21 years, Kacy Dodwell; his stepdaughter, Elizabeth Salerno and his late stepson, Joseph Dodwell; sisters, Susan Wenzell Johnston, June D’Ambrosio and her husband James and Janice Wenzell and her husband Jeremy Dupuis; nieces and nephews, Christopher Johnston and his wife Heather, Joanna, Joseph and Jillian D’Ambrosio and Nathan Johnston; great nieces and nephews, Leland, Victoria, Joseph, Jackson and Angelina.

Visitation will be held the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Friday, June 15 from 4 to 8 PM. Interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, afsp.org

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Clarice  (Figuira) Hutchinson – 101, of Tewksbury and formerly of Melrose and Somerville, died Saturday, June 9, 2018 at the Winchester Rehabilitation Center. She was the beloved wife of the late Leonard H. Hutchinson.

Born in Cambridge, MA on December 30, 1916, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Emelinda (Vincenta) Figuira.

Clarice was raised and attended school in Somerville. She was an Executive Secretary for the Converse Rubber Company in Malden. Clarice was a member of the College Avenue Baptist Church in Somerville, where she was the organist and Choir Director.

Family members include her sons, Bruce L. Hutchinson of Berwick, Maine and Walter J. Hutchinson of Wilmington and formerly of North Reading; 5 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading on Saturday, June 16 at 11 AM. There will be no calling hours. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Michele L. (Cordesco) Balestracci,
On Friday, June 8 2018, Michele Balestracci, wife, mother and friend passed away after her long battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) at the age of 61 years. Michele will be forever remembered by her husband and best friend Mark of 40 years, and her precious children, Crystal and Ryan.

Michele was born in Melrose, Massachusetts on December 30, 1956. She graduated from North Reading High School in 1975 and continued on to receive an Associates degree in Home Design.

Michele worked as a Kitchen and Bath Designer for Home Depot of Fredericksburg, VA for approximately 8 years and a homemaker the rest of her life. She enjoyed gardening, cross stitching and motorcycle riding. She was actively involved in the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association as a veteran supporter.

Michele is survived by her husband, Mark Balestracci; daughter, Crystal (Jeff) Spaide; son, Ryan Balestracci of Fredericksburg, VA; grandchildren, Cassandra and Christian Spaide and cousin Marion McKeague Stanley; father-in-law, Deacon Al Balestracci of North Reading and her late mother-in-law, Marjorie Balestracci. Michele will also be forever remembered by her numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends.

Michele is preceded in death by her parents Germano and Carolynn Cordesco and grandparents Joe and Marion McKeague.

A memorial service in memory of Michele will be held on Friday June 15, 2018 at 6 p.m. at Turner Funeral Home 3913 Webb Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37416.

A visitation for Michele will be celebrated Friday, August 10, 2018 at 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St, North Reading, MA 01864 with a memorial service following at 11 a.m.  Burial will follow the service at Riverside Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to the ALS Foundation at http://web.alsa.org/goto/MicheleBalestracci.

Our family wishes to thank everyone for all of their caring and support throughout this very difficult time.