Francis A. “Hecky” Heckman – 96, of North Reading, formerly of Rockville, MD and PA, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Friday, August 7, 2020.

He was a kind, humble and loving man who was devoted to his family and to his Lord and Savior.  He was married to his beloved wife, Hisako “Saki”, for 66 years and loved her with all his heart.  He was both a man of faith and a scientist who explored the boundaries of faith and science, writing essays about these explorations and declaring his faith in God.

Born in Schuylkill Haven, PA, he graduated from high school there, and later served in the Army Air Corps (predecessor to the Air Force) until 1947 and was a veteran of World War II.  After receiving his Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry at Lebanon Valley College, and his Master’s in Biology at George Washington University, he took at job in Boston.   He has lived in North Reading for the past 60 years.  He was a member of the school committee from 1963 to 1970 and served on the board of the Citizen’s Scholarship Fund.

Before retiring in 1986 from Cabot Corporation in Billerica, he was an electron microscopist and research scientist.  He was a founding member and the first president of New England Society of Electron Microscopy.

He became a member of Trinity Evangelical Church in 1969 and served in many capacities through the years.  Among them, he served as an Elder beginning in the early 80’s and in his later years was a member emeritus.  In his role as an Elder, he especially loved visiting the sick and elderly and encouraging them in their faith.  He was also the Moderator for many years.  For as long as he was able, he loved to be a greeter on Sunday mornings welcoming people with a warm smile and an encouraging word.

Besides his loving wife Hisako “Saki”, he is survived by his children, James Heckman and his wife Ann Marie, Mark Heckman and his wife Brenda, Kathryn Anderson and her husband Kenneth and Jeffrey Heckman and his wife Lisa; grandchildren, Justin, Stephanie and Austin Heckman, Tammi and Mark Heckman, Chelsea Seapy and her husband Corey and Ian Anderson, Sarah and Jacob Heckman; great grandchildren, Kayla, Kiera, Troy and Liam. He was the brother of the late Mary Heckman and son of the late Leon and Katie (Long) Heckman.

His funeral will be held on Thursday, August 13 at the Trinity Evangelical Church, 105 Haverhill Street, North Reading at 10:00 AM (the service will be live streamed). Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, August 12, from 5 to 7 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to the American Kidney Fund. https://www.kidneyfund.org/about-us/#  www.croswellfuneralhome.com

John Philip Friberg III, 65, died on July 28, 2020, after a long courageous battle with cancer.

John was born January 14, 1955 to John and Mildred (Butler) Friberg. After his father passed at a young age, John and his sister Karen were raised by Mildred in Weymouth, MA, where John excelled on the football field for Weymouth North High School and earned the nickname “Freight Train.” He graduated from Stonehill College with an accounting degree, and often returned to his alma mater to photograph basketball and football games. John worked as a financial analyst for State Street Bank and BNY Mellon.

John raised his two children, Jay and Alison, with his wife Chris in North Reading, where he enjoyed coaching many of their youth sports teams. For John, family always came first, as demonstrated by his selfless nature and boundless love for his wife and children. He put the needs and wants of others before his own, and lit up any room he walked into with his positive energy and contagious smile. John’s warm, compassionate, and light-hearted soul touched the lives of so many, including his entire family, countless friends, and the Weymouth, Stonehill, and North Reading communities.

John was a gifted sports and nature photographer. He was recently inducted into the North Reading Sports Hall of Fame for his commitment to community service, having dedicated over fifteen years to photographing Hornet student-athletes. His donated photos were featured in the North Reading Transcript and the hallways of the high school. Each year, John devoted his spare time to taking photographs at high school sporting events, proms, and graduations, and then editing and gifting them to the North Reading families in his community (Oh, those famous “discs”). Every fall, he enjoyed a New England foliage photography trip, and every summer he visited The Belgrade Lakes in Maine to fish and spend time with family and friends. John saw beauty all around him – whether it was an early morning sunrise or the joy of a graduating senior – and used his talent to capture it in photographs.

John is survived by his wife of 33 years, Chris (Testa) Friberg; his mother, Mildred Friberg; his daughter and son-in-law, Alison Friberg and Boris Bourget; his son and daughter-in-law Jay and Chelsea Friberg; his sister and brother-in-law, Karen and Warren Phillips; his niece Kristin Phillips; his nephew Jeff Phillips and family; and his mother-in-law Marilyn Testa. John will be missed dearly, but his impact on others will live on forever.

A gathering in celebration of John’s life will be held at a later date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in John’s name may be made to Multiple Myeloma Research Fund, MGH Development Office, 125 Nashua St. Suite 540, Boston MA 02114 or Caring for a Cure at www.caringforacure.org. Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Deacon Alfred O. Balestracci – 89, of North Reading and formerly of CT, died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, July 29, 2020. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 65 years, Marjorie M. (Burdick) Balestracci.

Born in New London, CT on September 10, 1930, he was the son of the late Alfred and Evelyn (Matthewson) Balestracci.

Al was a graduate of Fitch High School in Groton, CT, Class of 1948 and then joined the Navy serving 4 years. He became a Hospital Corpsman and served during the Korean War. After the Military he obtained a Registered Nursing Certificate from Mass. General and McLean Hospitals. He later earned a BSN from St. Anselm’s College in New Hampshire and then his Masters Degree in Education from Salem State College.

He helped reopen the Butler Health Center in Providence, RI. Years later he was involved in opening a facility in North Reading for special needs children ages 18 to 20. Some years later he worked for the North Reading program trying to rehabilitate first offenders out of the Boston Juvenile Court. Then later he became the Director of Medical/Nursing Services at Regina Cleri serving elderly and sick priests. He returned to the state system and became the on-site Administrator for Hogan Regional Center and North Reading Rehab working for the State of Massachusetts for 28 years. Last year, Al was inducted to his high school hall of fame for his football career.

Al had been very active at Saint Theresa’s Church in North Reading as Deacon, performing numerous baptisms, first communions, confirmations, weddings and funerals. He just celebrated his 40th year as a Deacon. He was a fourth degree Knight of Columbus serving as the Grand Knight in 1972. He was a member of the Christian Community Service, a member of the V.F.W., a Parish Council member and a member of the Financial Council at Saint Theresa’s Church.

Al played slow pitch softball in the North Reading Men’s Softball League until he was 50 years old and then became an avid golfer. He played in the Hillview Senior Golf League.

Survived by loving sons, Victor Balestracci and his wife Jane of Fredericksburg Virginia, Mark Balestracci of Sebastian, FL and his late wife Michele Balestracci and the late Alfred Balestracci (little Al); loving daughters, Sheri Rogers and husband Mark of Webster MA , Kathy Balestracci of North Reading and Lisa Kellermen and her husband Rick of Haverhill. Nine grandchildren, Jennifer Payne and husband Will, Karen Howarth and husband Jake; Colleen Heselton and significant other Jorge Solisfraire; Kristina Woods and husband Bobby; Justin Rogers and wife Rachel Stacy Rogers and fiance Kiernan O’Neill; Crystal Spaide and husband Jeff; Ryan Balestracci and Katie Kellerman; 12 great grandchildren and 8 great great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his only sister Jacquelyn Delaporta. Al jokingly told people that he was a failure because as a child he wanted to be a priest or a doctor but ended up a nurse and a Deacon. A successful full life lived well.

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street (Rt. 62), North Reading on Friday, August 7 at 10:30 AM. Visitation will be held at the Church Hall on Thursday, August 6 from 2 to 8 PM (enter from rear of parish hall). Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. In Lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to St. Theresa’s Church and the Regina Cleri Residence, Attn: Steven Gust, 60 William Cardinal O’Connell Way,  Boston, MA 02114. Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Darlene Ruth Welch – 62, of Gloucester, formerly North Reading, passed away unexpectedly at the Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA on Monday, July 20, 2020.

Born in Winchester, MA and growing up in North Reading, Darlene was a graduate of North Reading High School (1977).  She was a caring person with a big heart who truly loved family and friends, and spent as much time as she possibly could with her precious granddaughter Malyiah. She would do anything possible to help someone out in a time of need.

Darlene was a witty, funny person who enjoyed a good laugh and having fun.  She was an avid gardener and always had the talent and artistic ability to make beautiful flower arrangements and could tackle any household project making something out of nothing. She enjoyed cooking and was adamant about not following recipes; she would just make it up as she went along and her meals and desserts were always delicious.  Holidays, birthdays and all special occasions to be around family and friends were especially important to her.

She was a waitress for many years at different restaurants and all her customers loved her and would request her tables because she was good at what she did. Darlene was a true people person and had the special ability to connect with and read people very well.

Her family is heartbroken and she is already missed dearly.  Darlene leaves her parents L. Donald and Ruth Welch of North Reading, MA; daughters Alycia Welch-Kuykendall and Amber Eaton of Gloucester, MA; granddaughter Malyiah Welch-Menicocci of Gloucester, MA; brother Bradford Welch and his wife Cheryl of Stoneham, MA; sister Sheila Welch-Miller and her husband Donald of Townsend, MA, nieces Nicole Welch, Arielle Williams; nephews Stephen Welch, Shane Miller, Bradford Welch, and Andrew Welch. Along with many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.  Darlene was predeceased by her brother Stephen D. Welch.

Darlene’s family will receive visitors practicing social distancing at Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading, MA 01864 on Sunday, July 26^th from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. All current Covid-19 protocols and restrictions are in place and funeral home capacity will be limited to a maximum of 50 people at one time.  A funeral service will be held at the Trinity Evangelical Church, 105 Haverhill Street, North Reading, MA 01864 on Monday, July 27th at 11:00 am. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Association.  www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Agnes J. (Miles) Foster – 85, of Chester, NH and formerly of North Reading for many years, died at her home on Wednesday, July 15, 2020.

Born on July 24, 1934 in Sydney, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. She was the daughter of the late  Albert and Agnes (Craine) Miles.

Agnes was a member of Union Congregational Church in North Reading for many years.

Family members include her loving son Brian Campbell and wife Denise Campbell; she was the mother of her late beloved daughter Debbie Fournier; loving brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews from Canada;  grandchildren Jennifer Gardner and husband Scott, Scott Campbell and fiancé Cyndie Moffett, Bonnie Hanlon and husband Paul, Shannon Fournier and fiancé Shawn Kelley, Chris Fournier and fiancé Erika Lessard; great grandchildren Eric Gardner, Kyle Gardner, Bryan Campbell, Bryce Campbell, Chase Campbell, Jordan Hanlon and Connor Hanlon.

Graveside services will be held at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Peabody on Friday, July 24 at 11:00 AM. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are by Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com