Ernest  J. Claughton – 85, of North Andover and formerly of Bethel, VT, and Gloucester, MA, passed away on Friday, May 2, at the High Pointe House in Haverhill.

Born in Boston, MA on January 4, 1940. He was the son of the late Stephen and Louise (Camuso) Claughton. He was raised in and attended North Reading Schools. He was a US Army Veteran, serving from 1959-1962 as a member of the 101st Airborne Division.

He was a union electrician for IBEW Local 103 for over 30 years, but his hobbies were creative. He was a talented artist. He also loved gardening-he was into organic gardening long before it was popular and he was so proud of his blueberry bushes! He was a member of the orchid society. He also loved building and always had ongoing projects. He loved his pets, he used to say he had a farm, which consisted of, Scottish Highland cows, sheep, chickens, ducks, turkeys, cats and dogs.

Family members include his loving son David Claughton; daughters, Pamela Claughton, Jane Barbagallo, Teresa Booth (Jonathan), June Claughton- Channen (Matthew); sister, Louise Jordan; Sister-in law Carol Claughton; Grandchildren Nicole Barbagallo, Taylor Hall (Jared), Olivia Booth, Cody and Travis Claughton, and his dog Huckleberry and his cat Donald. He was predeceased by his grandson Dylan Claughton, sister Dianne Gill and brother Stephen Claughton.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 9, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, followed by a Prayer Service at 11:00 AM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to the MSPCA. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Hartnell J. Bartlett – 91, of North Reading, formerly of East Hartford, CT and Hanover, died Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at Winchester Hospital.

Born in Boston, MA on December 11, 1933. He was the son of the late Frank and Dorothy (Boynton) Bartlett. He was a graduate of North Quincy High School. He attended Tufts University and was a graduate of Bentley College in Waltham.

Hartnell was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Korean War, he was a SP3 and served from 1954 to 1957.

He was an Accountant for the American Mutual Insurance Company and the Wausau Insurance Company for many years.

He was a Call Firefighter for the Hanover Fire Department and later for the North Reading Fire Department for 33 years. He served as a Selectman in North Reading and was a member of the Finance Committee. He was a member of Boston Sparks, North Reading Masonic Lodge, Aleppo Temple Fire Brigade, Mount Carmel Eastern Star and a long time member of the Union Congregational Church.

His pride and joy was his family, he was fully devoted to his wife of seventy years. He had a lot of pride in his grandsons and his great grandson. He loved golf and shuffle board.

Family members include his loving wife of 70 years, Nancy A. (Barnes) Bartlett; his sons, Glenn Bartlett and his wife Jenny and David S. Bartlett and his partner Tony;  his daughter, Marilyn  Bartlett and her partner Tom; his grandsons, Michael Bartlett, Brandon Bartlett and Shane Bartlett and his great grandson, Chase Bartlett. He was the brother of the late Frank Bartlett, Jr.

His memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 10 at 11:00 AM at the Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill Street, North Reading. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Shriners Children’s Hospital. Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Joseph R. Veno – 78, of North Reading and formerly of Revere, passed away at his home on Sunday, April 27, 2025, after a lengthy illness.

Born in Boston, MA on December 8, 1946, son of the late Joseph A. and Lillian (Mailiette) Veno.  Joe was a graduate of North Reading High School, Class of 1964. He was a U.S. Coast Guard Veteran of the Vietnam Conflict, he was an EN2 and served from 1965 to 1969. He received Vietnam Service Medal with a Bronze Star.

He was a Reading Police Officer and Safety Officer, he retired at age 55. Joe has been a resident of North Reading for over 70 years and a member of St. Theresa’s Parish for many years.

Joe served on many Boards for the town of North Reading. He was a member of the Board of Selectmen for 15 years, the Community Planning Commission for 4 years,  Veteran’s Affair Commission for 20 years, Recycling Commission for 4 years,  North Reading Housing Authority for 10 years, Veteran’s Memorial Commission for 20 years, Commission on Disabilities for 10 years, Council on Aging for 15 years and the Mystic Valley Elder Services for 15 years.

Joe was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, Andover Sportsman Club and Knights of Columbus, where he was a 4^th Degree Knight.

Joe loved gardening, traveling and was a NASCAR Fan. He coached Youth Football for 15 years and was the President of the North Reading Touchdown Club.

Family members include his loving wife of 54 years, Dianna (Sargent) Veno; his sons, Joseph A. Veno and his wife Nicole and Jonathan M. Veno and his wife Elizabeth; grandchildren, Jessica Prenney, Alicia and Abigail Veno. He was the brother of the late Donna Veno.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 2 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, May 3 at 11:30 AM in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. A funeral procession will leave the Croswell Funeral Home at 11:15 AM. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Charles A. Boulanger- 82, of Intervale, NH, and Boxford, MA passed away peacefully on April 17, 2025, at Lawrence General Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. He was the cherished husband of the late Marsha (Smith) Boulanger. Charlie, fondly known as Buddy, was born on June 25, 1942 in Lynn, MA to the late Charles and Ruth (Woodman) Boulanger.

A proud Marine, Charlie served his country with honor before transitioning to a long and fulfilling career at General Electric in Lynn, MA. It was there that he met his beloved wife, Marsha. After their retirement, the couple relocated to Intervale, NH, where Charlie embraced the beauty of the outdoors, becoming an avid skier and hiker in the White Mountains. After returning to Massachusetts, he continued to enjoy nature through long walks and cherished his weekly breakfasts with his niece, Michele Sherry, and her husband, Joe Morrison, as well as Sunday dinners spent with his family.

Charlie’s family was his heart and soul. He is survived by his daughters, Jessica Cote and her husband, Dana, of Kensington, NH, and Jennifer Guarino and her husband, Richard II, of Boxford, MA. He also leaves behind his sister, Jean DeLuca of Florida; his brother, Robert Boulanger, and his longtime companion, Liza O’Keeffe, of New York; and his beloved grandchildren, Victoria Guarino, Maxwell Cote, Richard Guarino III, and Leah Guarino. In addition, Charlie is survived by his sisters-in-law, Tally Blowers of Lynn, MA; Roberta Smith of Marblehead, MA; and Holly Boulanger of Washington, along with many cherished nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was predeceased by his sister, Dwyn Knudsen, and his brother, Lawrence Boulanger.

Charlie’s legacy of kindness, gentle spirit, and humility will be forever treasured by all who knew him. His love for his family, his quiet wisdom, and the warmth he shared with everyone will live on in the hearts of those who loved him.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date to honor Charlie’s memory. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

Arrangements are by Croswell Funeral Home, North Reading. www.Croswellfuneralhome.com.

Shawn Robert Christo – 44, of Middleton and formerly of Salem, died unexpectedly at his home on Sunday, April 20, 2025.

Born in Cambridge, MA on December 1, 1980. He was a graduate of Masconomet Regional High School and Northeast Tractor Trailer School. Shawn was a Class A Truck Driver for DHL and a member of Teamster’s Local 25 in Boston.

Shawn was a free spirit and an exceptional Dad to Allissa Rose Christo. He had a love for two wheels, especially if it was made by Harley Davidson.

Family members include his loving daughter Allissa Rose Christo, his loving mother, Roseann (Mazzone) Nash and her husband Richard Nash, all of Middleton. He was the son of the late William Christo; brother of Brian Nash,  Erika Hopkins, Kate Nash, Sarah Stevens, Anthony and Michelle Christo; nephew of Cheryl Anne Mazzone and Richard Christo and the late Steven Christo and loving uncle to Isabella Mia Franco, Abby & Beth Stevens and Nicholas Hopkins. He was the grandson of the late Gus and Angie Mazzone, Charles and Connie Christo, George and Dolly Nash and adored great grandson of the late Rose Mazzone.

His funeral will be held at the Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill Street, North Reading on Wednesday, April 30 at 10:00 AM. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, April 29 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of your choice.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com