Philip  H.  “Nick” O’Brien, Jr. – 87, of North Reading and formerly of Reading, died at his home on Friday, March 2, 2018, he was the loving husband of the late Barbara A. (Aylward) O’Brien.

Born in Reading, MA on April 14, 1930, he was the son of the late Philip H., Sr. and Eva Agnes (Letourneau) O’Brien. He was raised and attended school in Reading and was a graduate of Reading High School. Nick later graduated from Boston University and worked as an aeronautical engineer at GE for a number of years. Nick served his country during the Korean War as an airplane mechanic and pilot, for the U.S. Air Force and continued to fly as a civilian.

He married Barbara , moving around the country as a serviceman, eventually settling in an old farmhouse in North Reading. He loved working with people and became well known as the AAA tow operator who rescued many motorists with car troubles. He maintained a repair shop on Main Street that continues to be a notable landmark. Nick was a member of the Minute and Militia unit in North Reading, annually marching in the parade and presenting arms on Memorial Day. He was a vocal Selectman in town for 9 years who always believed in putting the best interests of the town before the interests of individuals.

He was an uncle who adored his many nephews and nieces and was a stalwart family man who always believed in trust, loyalty and honesty.  He had two children, a son and daughter who were instilled with his principles of a close knit community. Nick was a devoted husband to his wife, taking care of her tirelessly in their home until she passed in 2015. Towards the end of his life, nothing gave him more joy than to roll through the center of town or even to the end of his driveway to wave to passers by.

Family members include his loving children, Jessie O’Brien and her husband Kevin Whitehead and Philip H. O’Brien, III and his wife Apryl Sahadi and granddaughter, Eva O’Brien.

His Funeral Mass will be held at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street (Rt. 62), North Reading on Wednesday, March 7 at 10:30 AM. Interment will be private. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Arthur C. Bailey – 90, of Plaistow, NH and North Reading, MA, died on Saturday, March 3, 2018. He was born in Everett, MA on May 14, 1927, the son of the late Charles Lee and Sarah (Ferguson) Bailey.

Arthur was a graduate of Everett High School, Class of 1945 and the G.E. Apprentice Course in 1951. He retired in 1987 after 40 years of service at G.E. in Lynn, MA. Arthur loved woodworking and traveling

Since 1991, he was the husband of Shirley Osgood-Bailey of Plaistow, NH; he was the father of James Bailey and his wife Margaret of Tewksbury, MA; grandfather of Julie Glover and her husband Michael of Derry, NH; Jamie Morris and her husband Leonard of French Royal, Virginia, Chad Clabo and his wife Heather of Clovis, Canada and Charles Bailey of Tewksbury, MA; great grandfather of Aaron and Cameron Glover, Kyle, George and John Bailey, Piper and Hayden Clabo; stepfather of Stephen Robinson and his wife Daune of Danbury, NH, Cheryl Champ and her husband Mark of Fremont, CA, Marcia Drake and her husband James of Menomonee Falls, WI and Ralph Osgood and his companion Joyce of Haverhill.

He was predeceased by his daughter Barbara Clabo in 1997, his wife Regina (Shea) Bailey in 1990 and his cousin George Herbert in 2015.

His Funeral will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Friday, March 9 at 10 AM. There will be no calling hours. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Raymond  B.  Woods, Jr. – 81, of  Reading and formerly of North Reading and Stoneham, died Tuesday, February 27, 2018, at Winchester Hospital.

Born in Boston, MA on October 7, 1936, he was the son of the late Raymond B., Sr. and Norma M. (Broderick) Woods. He was raised in Stoneham and was a graduate of Stoneham High School. Ray later served in the National Guard.

Ray was a former Custodian for the North Reading School System for many years, he worked at the Batchelder, Murphy and Hood Schools, he has been retired for the past fifteen years. Ray enjoyed walking and spending his free time at the North Reading Fire Department.

Family members include his sister, Jean Sweigart and his brother, Warren T. Woods.

Funeral services will be private and are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Warren  H.  Schaefer – 92, of North Reading and formerly of New York, died at his home on Saturday, February 24, 2018. He was the husband of the late Clementine M. (Tassi) Schaefer, who died in 2016, after nearly 69 years of marriage.

Born in Staten Island, New York on November 19, 1925. He was the son of the late Henry and Ruth (Buckley) Schaefer. Warren was a U.S. Army Air Corps Veteran of World War II, he served from 1943 to 1946.

He received his Engineering Degree from Pratt Institute in New York and later received his Master’s Degree from Drexel. Warren worked an Engineer for the Aircraft Engine Group for General Electric for many years. He has been a resident of North Reading for the past 60 years and a member of the Christ Church in Andover. He was also a member of the GE Old Timers.

Family members include his loving children, Kenneth Schaefer and his wife Virginia of Naples, FL, Janet Frasca and her husband Dennis, Richard Schaefer and his wife Karen and the late Robert Schaefer and his wife Brooke, all of North Reading; his brother, Gerald Schaefer; 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

His funeral service will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Monday, March 5 at 10 AM. Calling hours will held on Sunday, March 4 from 2 to 4 PM. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations in memory of Warren Schaefer can be made to the Fdn. MEEI, Inc. to support the Glaucoma Center of Excellence at Mass. Eye and Ear. Please make checks payable to “Fdn. MEEI, Inc.” and mail to Foundation of Mass. Eye and Ear Infirmary, Inc. c/o Development Office, 243 Charles Street Boston, MA 02114 or online at https://www.masseyeandear.org/online-donation-form.   croswellfuneralhome.com

John  N.  Plath – 97, of South Attleboro, MA, died Saturday, February 24, 2018, at Woodbriar Health Care Center in Wilmington. He was the husband of the late Helen Plath.

Born in North Attleboro, MA on June 15, 1920. He was the son of the late Nelson and Harriot (Martin) Plath. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of World War II.

John worked for many years for the Lubrx Oil Company, he was a mixer for oil compounds. He was the oldest charter member of the Elks in North Attleboro and a member of St. Theresa’s Church in South Attleboro for many years.

He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. John kept up with all the current events at age of 97. He would read two newspapers a day and loved working in his yard into his nineties. He especially enjoyed working in his vegetable garden.

Family members include his loving daughters, Judith Kelleher and her husband William of North Reading and Elaine Scott and her husband Richard of Attleboro; his brother, Richard Plath of North Attleboro and his sisters, Mary Plath of North Attleboro, Joan Flatley of AZ and Patricia Mowry of Marlborough; late brothers Nels, James and Joseph Plath and late sister Ellen Clark; 5 cherished grandchildren, Meaghan Kloetzel and her husband Alex, Katie Patriquin and her husband Ryan, Bill Kelleher and his wife Kristy, Matt Scott and his wife Helen and Colleen Babul and her husband Mike; 9 great grandchildren, Kolton, Kane, Bailey, Alex, Aidan, Riley, Bode, Marie and Eleni. He was the father of the late John Plath.

Services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.  Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com