Category Archives: obituary

Lawrence C. Sullivan

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Lawrence  C.  Sullivan – 87, of North Reading, died at his home, surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, February 9, 2017.

He was born in Newport, RI, on January 27, 1930. He grew up in Newport where he was a graduate of De LaSalle Academy, Class of 1948; University of Rhode Island, Class of 1952 and Georgetown Law School, in Washington, D.C., Class of 1962.

Lawrence was a U.S. Navy Veteran of the Korean Conflict. His U.S. Navy Military service began in 1952. He graduated from Officer Candidate School, Class of 1953 serving as Line Officer on Navy destroyers during the Korean Conflict. In 1956 he left the Navy with rank of Lieutenant (Junior Grade). Later, he joined the Naval Reserves and served in various assignments, retiring with the rank of Commander.

After law school, he joined the legal staff of the Federal Aviation Administration  (FAA) in Washington D.C. from 1962 to 1967. In 1967, he transferred to the FAA Boston office, serving as the regional counsel for New England until his retirement in September of 1989.

He was a resident of North Reading for fifty years and a member of St. Theresa’s Parish, where he taught CCD Religious Education.

Lawrence enjoyed watching sports and actively followed all Boston teams. Over the years, he enjoyed playing tennis, golf and loved to play cards. Lawrence and his wife enjoyed spending their winters in Melbourne Beach, Florida and summers in Newport, RI. 

Family members include his beloved wife of 61 years, Kathleen T. (Krupa) Sullivan; loving daughters, Sandra Conron and husband Scott of North Reading, Judith Gosselin and husband Jay of Deerfield, NH, and Jacqueline Bonasoro and husband Gary of North Andover; sisters, Anne Mills of Newport, RI and the late Arlene Custy; brothers-in-law, Raymond Custy of Portsmouth, RI and the late Stuart Mills; 6 grandchildren, who gave him great enjoyment in later years, Jeffrey and Jessica Conron, Renee and Alex Gosselin, Leia and Shawn Bonasoro; and many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held Tuesday, February 14th from 4 to 7 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., NORTH READING. Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home starting at 8:45 AM Wednesday, February 15th followed by a 10 AM Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Parish, 63 Winter St. (Rt. 62), North Reading. Burial with military honors will follow at Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Late Retired Regional Counsel for N.E. Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Navy Veteran of the Korean Conflict, retiring as Commander. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Barbara A. Ponton

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Barbara A. Ponton – 79, of Beverly, formerly of West Peabody, Maine and Florida, died Saturday, January 28, 2017, at Beverly Hospital.

Born on April 8, 1937, she was the daughter of the late Warren and Ann E. (Pender) Ponton. She was raised and attended school in Lexington and was a graduate of Lexington High School.

Barbara worked as a waitress and hostess for Jimmy’s Harborside in Boston for over thirty years.

She was a good friend, who knew no strangers. Barbara was a wonderful mother and grandmother, who was always funny, sassy and a good listener. She was a talented artist, who liked to roller skate and gamble.

Family members include her loving daughter, Debra Cerqua and her husband Stephen; her companion of 40 years, Ronald Schmidt; sisters, Susan (Mann) Goddu, formerly of North Reading and her husband Norman and the late Doris Smith;  brothers, William Mann and his wife Susan and the late Frank Ponton; three grandchildren, Ramzi, Tarik and Renna El Shrafi.

Her funeral will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Friday, February 3, at 10:00 AM. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, February 2 from 4 to 7 PM. Burial 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

Lorna G. Smolinsky

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Lorna G. (MacDonald) Smolinsky – 96, of Malden, died Friday, January 27, 2017 at Woodbriar of Wilmington. She was the beloved wife of the late Henry Smolinsky.

Born in Harmony Junction, Prince Edward Island, Canada on May 10,1920. Lorna was the daughter of the late George and Mary (Mitchell) MacDonald. She was educated in Souris, Prince Edward Island, Canada. She was a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force, during World War II, she served from 1942 to 1945.

Lorna worked at Jordan Marsh in Boston, later worked in Malden and retired in 1983 from Macy’s at Assembly Square in Somerville.

She was always strong and independent. The most important thing to her was her family. Lorna was an avid hockey, Red Sox and Patriot fan. She loved to bowl, play cards and bingo.

Family members include her loving daughters, Mary Staples and her husband Douglas of North Reading, Patricia Fielding of North Andover and Joan Holland of Saugus; her son, James Smolinsky and his wife Gerri of Port St. Lucie, FL; she was predeceased by brothers, Mitchell, Addison, Byron, Cyril, Clarence, Jack and Foch MacDonald and her late sister, Marion McMullin; grandchildren, Melissa Staples, Kelli Keck and her husband James, Ryan Staples and his wife Andrea, Julie and Tracey Fielding, James Smolinsky and his wife Carol and Amanda Dunlap and her husband Chris; great grandchildren, Jonathan and Kaylei Staples, James and Sara Keck; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Her funeral will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Tuesday, January 31 at 4:00 PM. Calling hours will be held prior to the service from 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to: American Lung Association, 1661 Worcester Rd., No. 301, Framingham, MA 01701 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

 

Dana E. Brandt

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Dana E. Brandt – 70 , of Stoneham and formerly of North Reading, died Wednesday, January 25, 2017, at Winchester Hospital.

Born in Malden, MA on January 22, 1947, he was the son of the late Arthur E. and Lena “Blanche” (Karlsen) Brandt. He was raised and attended school in North Reading and was a graduate of North Reading High School, Class of 1967.

Dana was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Vietnam Era, he served from 1967 to 1969. He was a SP4 (T) and was a member of the Company C, 2nd Battalion, 64th Armor 7th Tank Division, serving in Europe NATO Forces. Dana later worked as a Security Guard and has been retired for several years.

Dana was always soft spoken and honest, he was known for his directness. He was an avid sports fan, he especially loved playing hockey and watching sporting events. Dana loved his nieces and nephews.

Family members include his loving sister, Diana (Brandt) Freeland and her husband Robert of Tewksbury, brothers, Ronald E. Brandt and his wife Margaret of York, ME, David A. Brandt and his wife Martha of Beverly, Russell A. Brandt and his wife Mary of Reading and Richard A. Brandt of Haverhill.

His Funeral will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Wednesday, February 1 at 11 AM. Calling hours will be held prior to the service from 9:30 to 11 AM. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to: American Heart Association /American Stroke Association, Founders Affiliate, P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Gordon F. Brooks

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Gordon  F.  Brooks – 63, of Lawrence and formerly of North Reading, died Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at Lawrence General Hospital.

Born in Melrose, MA on October 23,1953, he was the son of the late Robert E. and Barbara L. (Allen) Brooks. He was raised and attended school in North Reading and was a graduate of North Reading High School. He served in the U.S. Army.

Gordon worked as a supervisor for many years for the Haverhill Housing Authority. He has been a resident of Lawrence for the past 21 years. He was a member of the Cedardale Health and Fitness in Haverhill.

He loved his family, he was very generous and was a man of integrity.  Gordon had a wonderful sense of humor, he was always caring and thoughtful. He loved nature, motorcycle riding, he enjoyed the mountains, beach, working out, swimming and reading. He was an avid Boston sports fan and loved cooking (loved to feed everyone). One of his greatest joys was spending time with his grandchildren.

Family members include his loving wife Janey A. (Culbert) Brooks; loving sons, Barry Brooks and his wife Jennifer, Nathan Brooks and his wife Leida and Philip Theberge; daughters, Heidi Jabour and her husband Salvatore, Kersten Theberge, Courtney Moffat and her husband John;  brothers, Robert Brooks and his wife Kristi Brooks and Barry Brooks and his wife Nevine; sisters, Bonnie Moorcroft and her husband Julian and Julie Newell and her husband Donald; ten grandchildren, Mia, Ethan, Hailey, Olivia, Jacob, Julian, Sonny, Brian, Brady and Jayden.

His funeral will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Monday, January 30 at 10 AM. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, January 29 from 1 to 4 PM. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to Autism Awareness or to MSPCA at Nevins Farm in Methuen.