Robert  D.  Standley – 84, Lifelong resident of North Reading, MA, died on September 28,^, 2016.  Robert was born in Melrose, MA on September 26, 1932, to Frederick J. Standley and Dessie E. (Lamb) Standley with siblings, Donald (predeceased) and Richard.  A graduate of Reading High School in 1950, Bob was a business partner at the Little Meadow Fur Farm in North Reading until 1972 and the owner/operator of Candlewood Lanes bowling alleys located in North Reading for thirty years.  Bob served in the Army during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1955.  Bob married Dorothy E Walkup of North Reading on February 14, 1956.

Bob was a devoted family man.  He was known for his quick wit, his smile and wonderful sense of humor.  He was compassionate and always looked for ways to help others.  Bob loved the outdoors and was an avid sportsman who loved hunting and fishing.  He was an active member of Trinity Evangelical Church for many years and was also a member of the Reading Rifle Club and North Reading Grange.  Bob loved to travel with Dorothy, his wife of sixty years.  Together they enjoyed trips to Israel, Jordan, Alaska, Bahamas and Rangeley ME.

Family members include his loving wife Dorothy (Walkup) Standley;  children, Cheryl (Standley) Douty and her husband William Douty, III, Brenda Standley, Diane (Standley) Trombly and her husband James Trombly and William Standley;  grandchildren, William Douty, IV and his wife Jennifer (O’Brian) Douty and Heather Douty. Bob was pre-deceased by his son Robert K. Standley

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, October 6 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading.  A 10 AM Funeral Service will be held on Friday October 7 at the Trinity Evangelical Church, 103 Haverhill Street, North Reading.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to: Trinity Evangelical Church, 103 Haverhill Street, North Reading, MA 01864. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Marjorie  M. (Burdick) Balestracci – 84, of North Reading, formerly of Providence, RI and Mystic, CT, died Monday, September 26, 2016 at Care One of Wilmington, with her family by her side.

Born in Pawcatuck, CT on November 3, 1931. She was the daughter of the late Earl and Florence (Allen) Burdick. She was a graduate of Robert E. Fitch High School in Groton, CT.

Marge has been a resident of North Reading for the past 53 years. She was a member of St. Theresa’s Church, where she worked as a secretary and bookkeeper for 43 years and retiring two years ago.

Marge was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Everyone’s care came first before her own. She was kind, soft spoken, generous to a fault, strong, independent, caring and a wonderful woman. She enjoyed collecting tea cups, crocheting, macrame’, sewing and cooking.

Family members include her beloved husband of 65 years, Deacon Alfred O. Balestracci; loving sons, Victor J. Balestracci and wife Jane of South Lawrence, Mark W. Balestracci and wife Michele of Aberdeen, MD and the late Alfred E. Balestracci (little Al); daughters, Sheri A. Rogers and husband Mark of Webster, Kathy Balestracci of North Reading and Lisa Kellerman and husband Rick of Haverhill; brothers, Clifford Burdick of Stonington, CT, the late Richard and Russell Burdick; sisters, Ruth Stone of TN, Carol Beck of VT, the late Dorothy Fusaro, Lois Maye and Norma Rogers; 9 grandchildren, Jennifer Payne and Will Payne, Karen Howarth and husband Jake, Colleen Gales and husband Rick, Kristina Woods and husband Bob, Justin Rogers and wife Rachel, Stacey Worsham and husband Todd, Crystal Spaide and husband Jeff, Ryan Balestracci and Katie Kellerman; 12 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren.

Her funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Friday, September 30 at 9:30 AM, followed by a 11:00 AM Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street (Rt. 62), North Reading. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, September 29 from 4 to 8 PM. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to: American Parkinson Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Ave., Staten Island, NY 10305. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Edson  M. “Ned” Larkin – 76, of North Reading, died unexpectedly on Saturday, September 24, 2016,  at the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington.

Born Boston, MA on May 4, 1940. He was the son of the late Herbert M. and Ethel D. (Griswold) Larkin. Ned was a lifelong resident of North Reading. He was a graduate of North Reading High School, Class of 1958.

Ned was a self-employed Master Plumber and was a former co-owner of Larkin Lawnmower with his brother Harry in North Reading for many years. He was active in the North Reading Masonic Lodge, and served as a former Past Master and was a member of the Aleppo Shriner’s in Wilmington. Ned was also a member of the North Reading Rotary Club and the Union Congregational Church for many years.

He was always energetic and worked long hours. Ned loved spending week ends at his home in Freeport, Maine. He enjoyed snowmobiling with his son Kevin in Canada, New Hampshire and Maine for many years.

Family members include his loving daughters, Lynda Renzello of North Andover and Lynett Larkin-Silva and her husband Carl Silva of Freeport, ME; his son, Kevin Larkin of Wilmington;  brothers, Harry Larkin of Reading, Richard Larkin and his wife Emilia of North Reading and the late Robert Larkin; 5 grandchildren,  Dalyn Renzello and partner Steve Harpin of Nashua, NH, David Renzello and partner Erika Davey of Melrose, Dean Renzello and wife Chelsey of Andover, Sydney and Gabriel Silva of Freeport, ME.

His funeral will be held on Thursday, September 29, at 10:00 AM at the Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill Street, North Reading. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, September 28, from 4 to 8 PM, at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. in lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to: Shriner’s Burn Institute, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114.

Martin  J. Butt  – 68, of Reading, died at his home on Tuesday, September 20, 2016.

Born in Everett, MA on January 17, 1948. He was the son of the late Martin and Ellen (Garland) Butt. He was raised in Reading and was a graduate of Reading High School, Class of 1966. He later attended the University of New Hampshire.

He was the owner and operator of Martin J. Butt Construction in Reading for over 35 years. He loved his job and enjoyed working with his daughter Joscelin and son Marty. He was a skilled craftsman and a really talented athlete.  Marty was an avid gardener (green thumb) and enjoyed spending hours in his garden. He was a great dad and husband and coached his kid’s sports teams. He loved sports and had a great sense of humor.

Family members include his loving wife of 43 years, Stephanie (Bakas) Butt (formerly of North Reading); daughters, Joscelin Butt of Reading and Allison Butt and her companion, Edward Walsh of Hudson, NH; grandson, Edward Martin Walsh; brother, Arthur Butt of Goffstown, NH  and sisters, Betty Butt of Laconia, NH and Diane Runge of Methuen, late sisters, Carole Abbott, Linda Butt and Debra Butt and father of the late Martin A. Butt.

His funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Saturday, September 24 at 9:15 AM, followed by a 10:30 Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street (Rt. 62), North Reading. Calling hours will be held on Friday, September 23 from 4 to 7 PM. Interment will be held in Forest Glen Cemetery in Reading at a later date.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Lawrence J. Meaney – 83, of North Reading and formerly of Medford, died at his home on Friday, September 16, 2016.

Born in Somerville, MA on August 11, 1933. He was the son of the late Patrick and Helen Barry. He attended school in Santa Monica City College in Santa Monica, CA and was a graduate of Merrimack College in Andover. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Korean Conflict, he served from 1952 to 1955.

Larry was a 37 year employee for Raytheon Manufacturing Company, International Division as a Program Manager for contracts with the Netherlands and Germany. He has been a resident of North Reading for the past 55 years and was a member of St. Theresa’s Church.

He had a strong commitment and love of his family. He had a  “glass half full” outlook on life, a  love of friends and he loved unconditionally. He loved golf, bowling, movies, cribbage, travel, socializing with friends, going to all his grandchildren’s events and activities and watching the Red Sox and Patriots. He was a member of the Raytheon Golf and Bowling Leagues. He was also a former Little League coach in North Reading.

Family members include his beloved wife of 61 years, Claudia C. (DeGiso)  Meaney. His loving children, Karen Bonneau and her husband Alan of Amherst; Brian Meaney of Holden; Catherine Aldrich and her husband Gregory of Amherst; John Meaney and his wife Nancy of North Reading and Mark Meaney and his wife Kimberly of Ipswich;  brothers, Paul A. Meaney and his wife Dolores of Novato, CA, William Meaney of Murrieta, CA;  sister, Ann Marie O’Shea and her husband George of Wenham; 11 grandchildren Danielle Danilov and her husband Konstantin, Jacklyn, Dean , Samantha, Taylor, Jake, Jack, Lauren, Patrick, Katherine, Ryan and a  great grandson Nico.

Funeral from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., NORTH READING on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 9:15 AM, followed by a 10:30 AM Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter St. (Rt. 62), North Reading. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 20 from 4 to 8 PM. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to: Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, 41 Mall Road, Burlington, MA 01805. www.croswellfuneralhome.com