William  A. Smith – 89, A lifelong resident of North Reading, passed away on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. He was a former member of the North Reading Fire Department, a Lieutenant for the North Reading Police Department, Selectman for many terms, was on the board of Public Works in North Reading, a U.S. Army Veteran, he was the owner of Smith and Sons Construction and Smith and Sons Plumbing.

He was born in Winchester, MA on October 13, 1935, the son of the late Arthur L. and Helen (Mac Kay) Smith. He attended North Reading schools and was a graduate of Reading Memorial High School.

Bill lived a full life and was a “Jack of all trades”. His passion for his hometown was a big part of his life. He loved North Reading, politics and especially the people in it. As a town Selectman, not everyone agreed with him, but he always had the best interest for all the people at heart. He was often referred to as a force.

Bill was generous to a fault, he always helped people in need, especially his family. He was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren and always boasted about their many accomplishments. He was highly respected and a proud man. He did things his way and always with a smile and laughter.

Bill also was a licensed Scuba Diver and teacher, a licensed Real Estate Agent and Plumbing Inspecter for Middleton. He played town basketball as well as softball on the North Reading Police team and he also was an avid fisherman as well as a horse sulky race driver and thoroughbred trainer and driver of standard bread horses and thoroughbred horses, he was also the owner of the Dairy Queen at one time. Bill Served on the Board of Public Works, the Planning Commission and Personnel Board in North Reading.

Family members include his loving sons, Gregory Smith, William Bradford Smith and Daniel S. Smith and his wife Judy; his daughter, Deborah Smith and her husband David Moore; a sister, the late Jean Lastinger (Smith); grandchildren, Daniel L. and Julia N. Smith; his former wife Linda (Pierce) Smith; and many nieces and their families.

Calling hours will be on Sunday, January 26, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. His funeral will be on Monday, January 27 at 1:00 PM at the Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill Street, North Reading. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Eileen L. (Gardner) McNeil – 63, of North Reading and formerly of Wilmington, died on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading. She was the beloved wife of the late John F. McNeil.

Born in Winchester, MA on January 27, 1961, she was the daughter of the late John and Alice Victoria (LeGrow) Gardner.

She was raised and attended school in Wilmington and was a graduate of Wilmington High School. Eileen has been a resident of Norh Reading for over 35 years.

Eileen worked as an Accountant for Moynihan Lumber in North Reading for 15 years. She also worked for the North Reading Transcript and other jobs in Burlington and Haverhill.

She was a wonderful mother, daughter, grandmother and sister. She enjoyed motorcycling, vacations to Florida and the beach.

Family members include her loving daughters, Kelly McNeil and her fiancé Paul Madison and Maria McNeil; she was the sister of Patricia Fitzpatrick, the late Dorothy Gardner Dillon and Eva Gardner Cotter; grandmother of Nicholas Madison, Aiden and Kayla Holguin.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, January 23 from 4 to 7 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. A graveside Service will be held on Friday, January 24 at 11 AM in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Please go directly to the cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Dorothy (Christie) Armstrong –  It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dorothy (Christie) Armstrong, who left us peacefully on January 7th, 2025, at the age of 81. Dorothy was born on December 19th, 1943, in North Reading, MA. to Vernon and Mary (Quinton) Christie.

Dorothy married the love of her life Robert G. Armstrong, Sr., on May 1st, 1964. They retired to Florida in 1998 where they enjoyed watching the dolphins while they drank coffee in the mornings. They had a long and loving marriage until his passing in 2002.

Dorothy had a remarkable green thumb, tending to plants and a garden with love and care. Her home was always full of vibrant colors and amazing plant growth. Dorothy was also a skilled crocheter, turning a simple ball of yarn into intricate, cozy works of art for everyone around her.

Dorothy is survived by her children: Robert G. Armstrong, Jr. and his wife Alice of Methuen, MA., Joseph M. Armstrong and his wife Nadine of Vero Beach, FL., and Michelle A. Armstrong of Shirley, MA.; and grandchildren Amanda, Rebecca, Dale, Cole, Olivia, Chloe, and Skylar. Dorothy also leaves behind her loving and devoted sisters Laura Murphy, Mildred Owen, and Mary McGuinness. Dorothy leaves behind not only her loving family but also her beloved bird, Pearl, who brought her joy every single day.

A service to celebrate her life will be held Thursday January 23rd at 11am at Croswell Funeral Home in North Reading, MA. followed by a burial at Riverside Cemetery. Visitation preceding from 9:30am-11am

CroswellFuneralHome.com

Susan J. Hancock – 66, of Haverhill and formerly of Andover, passed away on Saturday, January 11, 2025.

Born in East Boston, MA on October 25, 1958. She was the daughter of the late Elizabeth A. (Post) and Ronald E. Hancock. She was raised and attended school in Andover and was a graduate of Andover High School.

Susan was a retired Security Guard Supervisor. She has been a resident of Haverhill for the past 40 years.

She was always kind. She would always do everything for everyone else except herself. Susan had a great passion for her trips to Disney World and riding her motorcycle.

Family members include her loving son Joshua Hancock and his wife Patricia; brothers, Ronald Hancock, Richard Hancock and his partner Michelle Chouinard, Ralph Hancock and his wife Lisa and Robert Hancock; sisters, Helen Hagman and Betty Ann Hancock; 3 grandchildren, Kylie, Domonic and Elizabeth Hancock.

Her funeral will be held on Friday, January 17 from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading at 9:15 AM, followed by a10:30 AM Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street, North Reading. Calling hours will be on Thursday, January 16 from 4:00 to 7:00 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

David E. Reed, 75, of North Reading, moseyed through the pearly gates on January 4, 2025 after a long and courageous battle with Huntington’s Disease. The son of the late Floyd and Mildred (Gates) Reed, he hailed from Barre, VT, attending Spaulding High School where he excelled in academics, as well as in the dramatic arts. His numerous awards and accolades included a scholarship to Northeastern University, where he met the love of his life, Mary Morelli.

In addition to earning a B.A. in History, David obtained a M.A. in Education from Suffolk University and a M.B.A. also from Northeastern University.

David and Mary settled in North Reading to raise their family, where David became involved in youth softball, serving as a coach and board member for several years. Always active in the community, he helped build the original KidSpot playground on Chestnut Street.

He continued his love of theater, performing as Colonel Pickering in “My Fair Lady,” and as one of the Gangsters in “Kiss Me Kate,” both with North Regional Theater Workshop. His greatest performance, as he loved to tell, was as  Firefrorefiddle, the Fiend of the Fell.

As a 32nd degree Mason, David served as Worshipful Master of North Reading Lodge AF & AM, High Priest of Waverly Royal Arch Chapter, District Deputy Grand High Priest of the Seventh Capitular District, Illustrious Master of Melrose Council – Council of Royal and Select Master Masons, Commander of Metro North Commandery #20, High Priest of St. Paul’s Royal Arch Chapter, Master of the 13th Lodge of Instruction, and a member of the Degree Team for Mt. Moriah. In 2011, he was awarded the coveted Joseph Warren Medal by The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.

David combined his love of public speaking with his gift of storytelling serving as a tour guide for the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in Boston.

He had a quick wit, with a love of Dad jokes and puns. His competitive spirit emerged around all games, especially Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit.

In addition to his wife of 51 years, Mary, he is survived by his daughters, Meredith (Reed) Cailler and her husband Craig of Tewksbury, Jillian (Reed) String and her husband Andrew of Lynnfield, his grandchildren Ava Cailler, Neal, Noah, and Nathan String, his sisters Margaret (Reed) Newhall and her husband Douglas of Manchester, NH, Eleanor (Reed) Gaudette of Rutland, VT, his brother James Reed of Berlin, VT, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Calling hours will be held at Croswell Funeral Home 19 Bow St, North Reading on Saturday, January 18 from 10:00 AM to 1:30 with a public Masonic funeral service from 1:30 to 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America at www.hdsa.org or Huntington’s Disease Society of America 505 Eighth Avenue Suite 1402 New York, New York 10018. www.croswellfuneralhome.com