Edward E. Stephens – 68, of North Reading and formerly of New Bedford, died Saturday, January 20, 2018 at the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, after a lengthy illness.
Born in Acushnet, MA on August 8,1949. He was the son of the late Edward and Marilyn (Colby) Stephens. He was raised and attended school in New Bedford and was a graduate of New Bedford High School.
Ed was a proud U.S. Army Veteran of the Vietnam War (1967-1968). He received the Vietnam Service Medal and a Silver Service Star. He was a SP4 and his overall service was from 1967 to 1970.
Ed was a retired employee of the Town of Andover Water Department. He also worked for the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, and was a Realtor for ReMax. He was a resident of North Reading for the past 39 years and a member of the Aldersgate United Methodist Church.
He was accepting of everyone and truly loved everyone unconditionally. He was supportive and will be fondly remembered for his pure heart and generous spirit. Ed was a loving husband, parent, grandparent and uncle. He coached every sport for every child. He ran the Dunk Tank for the North Reading Fourth of July Celebration. He was an active member of the community.
Family members include his loving wife of 37 years, Rosalia “Lia” (Blasi) Stephens; sons, Michael, Jeffrey and James Stephens; daughters, Tara, Rachel and Kristi Stephens; brother, David Stephens; grandchildren, Matthew and Mikayla Colwell, and Hayley Stephens; niece Bethany (Stephens) Bettencourt; nephews, Patrick, Christopher and Michael Stephens; and a multitude of family friends and loved ones who Ed welcomed into his home and heart with open arms.
His Memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 3 at 11:00 AM, followed by a collation at the Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 235 Park Street, North Reading. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to: North Reading Veterans Gift Account, 235 North Street (Town Hall), North Reading, MA 01864, c/o Susan Magner.
Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading.  Www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Edgar J. Cormier  – 82, of North Reading and formerly of Methuen, died Saturday, January 13, 2018, at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers.

Born in Methuen, MA on April 18,1935. He was the son of the late Edgar J., Sr. and Esther (Rother) Cormier. He was raised and attended school in Methuen. Edgar was a retired Firefighter for the Town of Methuen, he served there for twenty eight years.

He was a loving grandfather, his 3 grandchildren, Thomas, Kaileen and Lauren, were very special to him. He did everything with them and they were very close.

Edgar owned his 33-foot Egg Harbor Boat named “Thurley”, he lived on her all summer. He loved cruising to different ports and loved fishing. Edgar has been a resident of North Reading for the past 40 years.

Family members include his loving wife of 40 years, Linda (Rogers) Cormier; his sons, Thomas Donahue and wife Kathleen, James Donahue and wife Theresa and  Daniel Donahue, Keith, Darryn and Wayne Cormier and their families; 3 cherished grandchildren, Thomas, Kaileen and Lauren.

Funeral services will be private and are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Methuen Firefighters Relief Fund, Methuen Fire Department, 24 Lowell Street, Methuen, MA 01844. Checks may be made out to, Local 1691 Reliefs. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Robert  J.  Smith – 85, of North Reading, died Tuesday, January 16, 2018.  He was the beloved husband of the late Faye B. (McDonald) Smith.

Born in Somerville, MA on January 19, 1932. He was the son of the late Vincent and Frances (Straughen) Smith. Bob was a graduate of Lexington High School and Northeastern University.  A Korean War veteran, Bob was a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps 1952 to 1955.

He worked as an Engineer for the Polaroid Corporation in Cambridge for over 25 years and was a resident of North Reading for 52 years.

Bob was a loving husband, father and grandfather. A parishioner at St. Theresa’s Church, Bob served as head usher at Saturday services. He was a Boy Scouts volunteer, a member of the Democratic Town Committee, both in North Reading and an ice hockey player and certified AHA referee.  As a proud Marine, he was a member of the Marine Corps League.  Bob was a passionate car enthusiast and Indy race car fan.

Family members include his loving children, Jeffrey R. Smith of North Reading, who cared for him for many years; Kevin M. Smith of Williamsburg, VA; Marianne S. Cimmino and her husband Robert of Waterford, CT and Sandra J. Mullins and her husband Charles of Shapleigh, ME; brother of the late Phillip, Richard and Thomas Smith; two grandchildren, Jennifer M. Cimmino and Jeremy D. Cimmino, both of Waterford, CT.

Despite years of fighting dementia, he was still happy every day.

His funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Monday, January 22 at 9:15 AM, followed by a 10:30 AM Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street (Rt. 62), North Reading. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, January 21 from 1 to 4 PM. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to: North Reading Veterans, 235 North Street (Town Hall), North Reading, MA 01864, c/o Susan Magner. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Eleanor M. (Fredella) Alcorn  – 78, of Andover, formerly of North Reading and Medford, died Saturday, January 13, 2018 at the Lawrence General Hospital. She was the beloved wife of the late Bruce Alcorn.

Born in Medford, MA on March 18, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Lorenzo and Jennie (Vella) Fredella. She was raised and attended school in Medford and was a graduate of Medford High School. Eleanor was known for her loving kindness and compassion. She enjoyed knitting and sewing.

Eleanor worked as a secretary for Dan-Kar Corporation in Wilmington for many years. She was a former resident of North Reading for many years and a member of St. Theresa’s Church.

Family members include her loving son, Glenn Alcorn; her daughter, Maryjo McNeill and her husband Robert; her brothers, Frank Fredella and the late Anthony Fredella; sisters, Phyllis Cain and Josephine Gagnon; grandchildren, Corey and Brian McNeill and great granddaughter, Kaileigh Harper Anastacio.

Her Funeral Mass will be held at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street (Rt. 62), North Reading on Thursday, January 18 at 10:30 AM. Calling hours will be at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Wednesday, January 17 from 5 to 8 PM. Interment will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to: MSPCA Nevin’s Farm , 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844  or to Animal Rescue League , 10 Chandler Street Boston, MA 02116 www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Francis “Chester” Dalton – 89, of North Reading and formerly of Chelsea, died Saturday, January 13, 2018, at the Woodbriar Health Center in Wilmington.

Born in Fort Augustus, Prince Edward Island, Canada on May 14, 1928. Chester left school at a young age to work on the farm for his mother and father. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Korean Conflict. He received the Army of Occupation Medal Germany and a Bronze Star Medal.

Chester was a manager for Superior Column, he retired after 44 years of service. He was a very hard worker all of his life. He helped many people building homes and doing various repair work. He provided for his five children, which he loved so much.

He loved gardening, fishing and had a great love for Prince Edward Island. He has been a resident of North Reading for the past 60 years and a member of St. Theresa’s Church. He was also a member of the American Legion, Knights of Columbus and the Saugus V.F.W.

Family members include his loving wife of 63 years, Margaret “Charlotte” (Hughes) Dalton; sons, James Dalton and his wife Cheryl, Shawn Dalton and the late Wayne Dalton; daughters, Paula Sollazzo and her husband Frank and Pamela Howe and her husband Bobbie; 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren; sisters, Evelyn Gill and Thelma Woolridge and the brother of the late Arnold, Bill, Mellie, Eddy, Frank, Pauline, Rita, Lawrence, Emmett and Ivan.

His funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Friday, January 19 at 9:15 AM, followed by a 10:30 AM Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church 63 Winter Street (Rt. 62), North Reading. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, January 18 from 4 to 8 PM. Burial will be in Riverside cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneral home.com