Category Archives: obituary

Denise M. Valade

denise-valade-picDenise M. Valade – 61, of North Reading, died Friday, December 2, 2016 at the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington.She was born in Winchester, MA on September 15, 1955 to Edward H. and Yvonne (Courtemanche) Valade. Denise lived in North Reading most of her life and graduated from North Reading High School, Class of 1974.She went on to Hair Dressing school and later became an EMT. Denise was employed at Scully Signaling in Wilmington, MA for many years and enjoyed the camaraderie with her co-workers.Denise enjoyed the company of family and friends, loved to joke and laugh and was a faithful friend who would do anything to help a friend in need. She was happiest in the comfort of her home.

Family members include her sister, Sherry Higginbottom and her husband Robert of So. Carolina, sister-in-law, Anne (Mastro) Valade; niece, Jennifer Valade and nephew, Nathan Valade, all of North Reading.  She was predeceased by her brother Jay E. Valade

Calling hours will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Wednesday, December 14 from 4 to 7 p.m.

Interment will be private. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice.  www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Eric B. Bevilacqua

eric-bevilaqua-picEric  B. Bevilacqua – 43, of North Reading, died Saturday. December 3, 2016 at the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington.

Born in Winchester, MA on May 24, 1973. Eric was raised and attended school in North Reading and was a graduate of North Reading High School, Class of 1992. He was a warehouse worker for Yellow Freight Company in North Reading.

Eric was a compassionate person who loved his family. He was especially close to his mom and loved his niece and nephew, Brooke and Matthew. He was an avid sports fan and faithfully followed all Boston sports.

He showed empathy to those less fortunate, donating money to feed the homeless. He enjoyed talking on the phone to his friend Lisa. He especially liked watching the history and discovery channel on TV.

Family members  include his loving parents, David and Judy (Barry) Bevilacqua of North Reading; his brother, Mark Bevilacqua of Taunton and his sister, Michele Bevilacqua of Chelmsford; his niece, Brooke Bevilacqua and his nephew, Matthew  Bevilacqua, both of Rayham.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, December 13 from 9:30 AM to 11:15 AM, followed by an 11:30 AM Funeral Service at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery in North Reading.

Memorial donations may be made in his memory to: Paws, 383 R Lowell Street, Suite 5, Wakefield, MA 01880.   www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Ida J. Sullivan

ida-sullivanIda J. “Edie” (Mancini) Sullivan – 84, of North Reading, formerly of Boston, died Thursday, December 1, 2016, at Winchester Hospital. She was the beloved wife of the late Joseph J. Sullivan.

Born in Boston, MA on August 26, 1932, she was the daughter of the late John and Mary (Marchetti) Mancini. Edie was a graduate of East Boston High School and the Kathleen Dell School. She was a homemaker and in her earlier years a secretary and a retail associate.

Edie has been a resident of North Reading for the past 53 years. She was kind, patient, loving, always available and giving. She enjoyed her 3 children and 4 grandchildren. Edie was a loving and devoted wife and mother. She was a city girl, who always had a spot for her mother and father.

Edie enjoyed making bracelets and necklaces for her family. She supported various charities with her beloved mother. She surrounded herself with her family. She loved and enjoyed cooking and especially loved her dogs.

Family members include her loving sons, Paul Sullivan of North Reading and Michael Sullivan and his wife Pam of Manchester, NH; her daughter, Patricia Zocco and her husband Paul of Bradford; 4 grandchildren, Amanda and Paul Zocco and Abigail and Nicholas Sullivan.

Her funeral will be held from Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading on Friday, December 9 at 10:15 AM, followed by an 11:30 AM Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street (Rt.62), North Reading. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, December 8 from 4 to 7 PM. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to: Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923  www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Lauretta A. Upton

Lauretta A Trodella Upton (1930 – 2016)

lauretta-upton-photoLauretta (Trodella) Upton, 86 years old of Reading, MA; formerly of Saugus, MA; died Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington.

Lauretta was born on May 29, 1930 to Rose Costanza Trodella and Michael Trodella and grew up in Stoneham.  She graduated from Stoneham High School in 1947 and pursued further education at a Secretarial School.  She was employed for many years by J. Ansini and Co. and later by Stone and Webster.  She later worked for American Mutual Life Insurance as a manager in their auditing department, retiring from this position in 1987.

On June 10, 1951, Lauretta married the love of her life, Edgar E. Upton of North Reading, who predeceased her in 2004.  They made a happy life together in Saugus where she lived for 44 years before moving to Reading.

Lauretta was hard working and volunteered for many organizations.  She was a devoted mother and grandmother to her two children and four grandchildren and recently became a proud great grandmother.  Lauretta was known for her outstanding cooking and baking skills and will long be remembered for her Italian cuisine.

In addition, Lauretta excelled at and enjoyed many types of needlework and crafts, including knitting, crocheting, embroidery, needlepoint, sewing and ceramic pottery.  She also was an avid gardener, growing both vegetables and flowers.

Lauretta was very fond of animals and over the years trained and showed Doberman Pinschers and raised a multitude of cats and kittens.

Lauretta is survived by her daughter, Susan Upton Lynch and her husband, John and her son, Alan Upton.  She will be missed terribly by her grandchildren, Jacqueline Lynch Ryan and her husband, Mike; Julia Lynch; Hayden Lynch and Derek Upton.  Lauretta provided hours of care in helping to raise her grandchildren.  She is also survived by her great-grandson, George Ryan, who she had the great pleasure of meeting and holding just one week before she died.

Lauretta was predeceased by her parents, Michael and Rose Trodella of Lapio, Italy, her brothers Arthur and Victor Trodella and her sister, Ellen Wheeler and her husband, Edward.

A celebration of Lauretta’s life will take place with a wake from 2-4 PM on Sunday, December 11th at Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street in North Reading, MA. Her funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home on Monday, December 12th at 9:45 AM, followed by an 11 AM Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter St. (Rt. 62) in North Reading, MA.

In lieu of flowers, her family requests donations be made in her memory to your local SPCA shelter.

Milton O. Exum

milton-exum-picMilton O. Exum – 79, of North Reading, formerly of Everett and Fulton, KY, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, November 29, 2016, at the Carolina Medical Center in Charlotte, NC.

Born in Fulton, KY on March 28, 1937.  He was the son of the late Milton L. and Nell (Owen) Exum. After High School, Milton enlisted in the U.S. Navy from 1955 to 1959. He was an Electricians Mate and was stationed aboard the U.S.S. Wasp.

Milton was an electrician, printer and a Salesman for AGFA. In retirement he worked for Hollis Industries in Danvers and did golf course maintenance for Colonial Golf in Lynnfield and the Hillview Country Club in North Reading. He has been a resident of North Reading for the past 51 years and he attended   St. Theresa’s Church, where he served as an usher for many years.

Milton was the Patriarch of the family. He was a loving husband, father grandfather and great grandfather. He was a Southern Gentleman, he was always willing to help anyone, whether Family, friends or anyone in our community.

He enjoyed boating, golfing and was an avid fan of the New England Patriots. He was a coach for the North Reading Little League and served as President for two years. He also announced for the North Reading Pop Warner Football games.

Family members include his loving wife of 57 years, Frances A. (Grillo) Exum; sons, Mark, Peter and David Exum; daughter-in-law, Dee Exum; grandchildren, AJ, Hannah, Grace and Cassidy Exum; great grandson, Aiden Exum; he was the brother of Letha Barnes of So. Fulton, TN and the late John Thomas Exum;  sister-in-laws, Marilyn Mallett and Magdilene Exum. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will held be on Monday, December 5 from 4 to 8 PM. His funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading, on Tuesday, December 6 at 9:15 AM, followed by a 10:30 AM Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street (Rt. 62), North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude PL, Memphis, TN 38105-9959, att., Memorials Processing.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com