William J. Wilkes – 91, of Derry, NH and formerly of North Reading, died Friday afternoon, April 21, 2017 at Aurora Senior Living in Derry, NH, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Boston, MA on April 3, 1926.  He was the son of the late William and Katherine (Murphy) Wilkes.  He was raised and attended school in Brookline and was a graduate of Brookline High School.

William was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Judith A. (Davis) Wilkes of Derry, NH, his grandson, Parker Wilkes and his granddaughter, Angela Cataldi. He was the brother of the late Frances Wilkes and the late Eileen (Wilkes) Allen.

William is survived by his son and daughter in law, Stephen & Mary Wilkes of  Derry, NH, daughter, Patricia Goodwin of Londonderry, NH, daughter, Alison Comeau of Londonderry, NH, daughter,  Lynne Sullivan of Methuen, son a n d  daughter in law,  Paul & Heidi Wilkes, of Raeford, NC and daughter Paula Brougham of  Derry, NH. Also  survived by 13 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

William served in the U.S. Army and was a World War II Veteran of the Pacific War.

He loved playing cribbage, softball and candlepin bowling. He worked for the town of Brookline and also worked at Candlepin Lanes in North Reading for many years. He was a resident of North Reading for over 50 years and was a member of the Knights of Columbus of  North Reading. He has been a resident of Derry, NH for the past 14 years.

The family would like to thank the staff at Aurora Senior Living and Hospice for their care and support of William in his final days. Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading is in charge of arrangements. Graveside services will be held at a later date in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations made be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.CroswellFuneralHome.com

Kathleen (Kay) Byrnes– 93 of Middleboro, MA formerly of Marshfield and North Reading passed away peacefully on April 24^th.

Kay was the daughter of the late Francis and Elizabeth Murphy of Malden; the wife of the late Robert Byrnes for 53 years, and beloved sister to the late Patricia Molis.  Kay grew up in Malden,  but spent most of her life in North Reading. She worked as a certified nurses aide at the Meadow View Nursing Home for 20 years where she helped elders age with grace.  After her beloved husband Robert passed away, she moved to Marshfield to live with her daughter Elizabeth.

Kay enjoyed spending time with her family and was an avid reader. She often read five books per week. She was a member of St. Theresa’s Parish of North Reading and St. Anne’s of Marshfield. She was also a member of the Red Hat Society.

Kay is survived by her two daughters; Elizabeth Tobin of Middleboro and Amy Sintros of Alstead, NH;  her four grandchildren, Maura Zimmerman, Michael Sintros, Nicholas Sintros, and Colleen Regoja. She is also survived by her five nephews and four great grandchildren.

A funeral Mass will be held to celebrate Kay’s life at St. Theresa’s Parish, 63 Winter Street (Rt. 62) in North Reading on Tuesday May 2^nd at 11am. Calling hours will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading, prior to the funeral from 9:30 to 10:30 am on Tuesday. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the MSPCA as Kay was an animal lover who donated throughout her life. MSPCA, 350 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130.  www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Diana L. (Brandt) Freeland – 72, of Tewksbury, formerly of North Reading, died unexpectedly on Sunday, April 23, 2017 at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston.

Born in Lowell, MA on July 18, 1944. She was the daughter of the late Arthur E. and Lena “Blanche” (Karlsen) Brandt. Diana was raised and attended school in North Reading and was a graduate of North Reading High School, Class of 1963.

Diana worked in management for Wilson Art for 15 years and for Dynamics Research for 20 years. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Diana was an avid golfer, she also enjoyed swimming and tennis.

Diana leaves behind her loving husband of 49 years, Robert S. Freeland, formerly of Stoneham; two children, her son Scott Freeland, his wife Linda and their two daughters, Katie and Jenna; her daughter Sonja Freeland and her two daughters, Toni Lee and Jade and a great grandchild, Jordan; her brothers, Ronald E. Brandt and his wife Margaret of York, ME, David A. Brandt and wife Martha of Beverly, Russell A. Brandt and his wife Mary of Reading, Richard A. Brandt of Haverhill and the late Dana E. Brandt.

Her funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Monday, May 1 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, April 30 from 4 to 8 PM. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

John A. Greene, 93, of Auburndale, FL formerly a long time resident of North Reading, died on Wed. April 12^th, 2017.

Born in Milford, MA on Sept. 7, 1923, he was the son of the late Louis B. Greene and Marie (Lavoie) Greene. John worked at Raytheon Corporation for 42 years where he started as a technician and moved up to become a finance manager of the TRMF Department.

John was a very active member of the Union Congregational Church of North Reading for over 50 years where he enjoyed working on many meal events such as chicken casserole dinners and various breakfasts. He and his wife worked on the annual Christmas Fair sometimes serving as co-chairs. He also served on many church committees and was a member of the church board. He volunteered for many community organization’s food events and also volunteered at Winchester Hospital. He was a member of the North Reading Masonic Lodge A.F. &  A.M. for over 55 years. He was also a long time member of the North Regional Theater Workshop. John played the French horn in high school and raised French Lop rabbits. John loved to golf and considered himself an excellent putter.

John was the youngest of four children who all pre-deceased him. They were his brother Louis Greene, and 2 sisters Dorothy Prentiss and Marie Borghi.

John was married for 67 years to Helen L. (Wheeler) Greene, who passed away on May 18, 2014, and is survived by his 6 children, Joyce Sewall of Sarasota FL, Paul Webster Greene of Methuen, Jack (John) Greene of North Reading, Julie Wood of Methuen, Russell Greene of Arlington and Deirdre Davenport of Derry, NH. He is also survived by his sons-in-law Denis Webster Greene and John Davenport and his daughter-in-law Diane Greene. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at the Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill Street, North Reading at 10 AM. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery. A collation will follow at the Union Congregational Church. The family requests that donations be made to North Reading Lodge A.F. & A.M., please specify Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 454, No. Reading MA  01864  in John’s memory and in lieu of flowers. Arrangements are by Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Hugh L. Connor, Jr, 76, of North Reading, MA peacefully transitioned into eternal life on Monday, April 17, 2017,  after battling cancer.  He was born on November 28, 1940 in Boston Massachusetts to Hubert and Rosalie (Patten) Connor and grew up in Newton, Massachusetts. 

Hugh attended Newton High School and graduated in 1959. He served with the United States Marine Corps from 1959 to 1962.  He was proud to serve in the Presidential Honor Guard unit at Marine Barracks in Washington, DC, followed by serving with the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion., 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, NC. 

Hugh worked for Liberty Mutual Insurance in sales and management roles for the majority of his career. He and his family lived in Manchester, Connecticut and Cape Elizabeth, Maine before settling in North Reading in 1974.  He was an owner of Thayer, Delaney, and Connor Insurance which operated out of North Reading in the mid-1980s. 

Hugh had a passion for sports at all levels and was always generous with his time in supporting local athletics. He served as President of the Cape Elizabeth Maine Youth Baseball League and also volunteered as an umpire. He was past President of the North Reading Touchdown Club and was privileged to be one of the founding members of the North Reading High School Athletic Hall of Fame Committee, on which he served for six years. Hugh was active in the Alcoholics Anonymous community, starting his own recovery in 1987, and went on to sponsor scores of people seeking sobriety since that time.  He was involved at Aldersgate United Methodist Church for the past 25 years, becoming a member in 2008.

Hugh was known for his love for life, big laugh, encouraging advice, and conversation full of witty expressions known to many as “Hughphemisms” such as:  “There are no flies on you, and if there are, they’re paying rent,” “He’s about as coordinated as a soup sandwich,” “He could talk the ears off a Brass Monkey,” “If you ask her what time it is, she’ll tell you how to build a watch,” and “The two of you are a pair that will beat a full house any day of the week!” 

Hugh is survived by his son Michael Connor and daughter-in-law Meredith, and grandsons Jason and Max of Laconia, NH, New York, NY and Boston, MA; his daughter Ann Warden and grandsons Tyler and Matthew of Ashburn, VA; his brother David Connor of Cazenovia, NY; his sister Mary Schlittler of Needham, MA; as well as countless other family members and friends.  He was pre-deceased by his sister Ann Connor.

To all his friends and family, Hugh wishes to express his sincere appreciation for their love and support over the years.  To them, he says, “Semper Fi!”

His funeral will be held at the Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 235 Park Street, North Reading on Saturday, April 29 at 11 AM. Calling hours will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Friday, April 28 from 4 to 7 PM. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 235 Park Street,  North Reading, MA 01864. www.croswellfuneralhome.com