Thomas J. Laquidara – 79, of North Reading and formerly of Boston, died at his home on Saturday , May 9, 2020 after a short illness.

Born in Boston, MA on May 1, 1941, he was the son of the late Carmelo and Antoinetta (LaMacchia) Laquidara. He graduated from Hyde Park High School in Boston and worked For Camp Dresser and McKee until his retirement in 2011. Tom was a U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran, stationed in Orleans, France for three years.  He lived in Boston before moving to North Reading in 1976.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather/papa, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, friend and neighbor. The kids in the neighborhood loved him. He could figure out how to fix and build anything and was always willing to help out his neighbors.  He cheered everyone up with his happy warm smile and sense of humor. He loved his cars and racing his Dodge Challenger at New England Dragway in Epping, NH. He also enjoyed car shows, participating in the plumbing forum on his computer, playing pool, gardening, birding and walking his dogs, Molly and Teddy.

Family members include his wife of 55 years, Anne (Perroso) Laquidara; his sons, Thomas M. Laquidara and his wife Ann Jennifer of Billerica, Michael Laquidara and his wife Rachel of Wilmington; his brother William Laquidara of Franklin, his late brothers, John “Jackie” Laquidara and Charles Laquidara; sisters, Angela (Laquidara) Viecelli of Westwood, Anne (Laquidara ) Vitale and her husband Dennis of Canton and the late Josephine (Laquidara) Viveiros;  and his four beloved grandchildren,  Jacob, Shane, Andrew and Emily.

Memorial Donations may be made in his memory to the MSPCA at Nevins Farm, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844, the Animal Rescue League of Boston, or an animal rescue of your choice.

Services will be private. Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading is in charge of the arrangements.

Nelda A. Rouillard, 99

Famed Local Artist

 Nelda A. Rouillard – of Ft. Myers Florida, formerly of North Reading, died at the Shell Point Pavilion Nursing Center on May 5, 2020. She was the beloved wife of 58 years to the late Edwin A. Rouillard.

Born in Ephrata Pennsylvania on April 11, 1921, she was the daughter of the late Lester and Helen (Brunner) Keller. She was raised in a small farmhouse in Clay Pennsylvania relocating to Massachusetts after marriage to Edwin in 1949 and then to North Reading in November of 1953.

She was a resident of North Reading for 56 years before moving to Florida in 2009. During that time, she became a self-taught artist, painting New England landscapes and North Reading landmarks for over 5 decades, including her famous motif of the North Reading Common. The iconic oak tree, and the building on the common were captured on barrel staves, Christmas ornaments and many other keepsakes. Many of her paintings adorn the walls of residents and local buildings throughout the town. In addition to being an accomplished artist, she was a Pre-school teacher, a puppeteer creating her own marionettes and dolls for performances to local school children, and later became a published author writing a children’s book “Papa’s Red Britches” a legend of how a tract of land traded for Papa Upton’s red ridding Britches became what is known as North Reading today. After moving to Florida she continued to paint capturing the beautiful tropical beaches and landscapes of southern Florida. She was a calm and loving soul who took the nature and beauty around her and transformed them into keepsakes for generations to come. She was just a beautiful person who made a lasting impression on everyone who knew her.

She was the loving mother of Stephen E. Rouillard and his wife Teresa of Bonita Springs, Florida and Ronald L. Rouillard and his wife Jennifer of South Dartmouth Massachusetts. She was the cherished grandmother of Ryan, Stephanie, Joshua and Molly Rouillard, and a great grandmother of 8.

Due to the current situation a memorial service will be held on a later date. Croswell Funeral Home , 19 Bow St. , North Reading, MA is in charge of arrangements. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Mary C. (Pierce) Atkins – 89, of North Reading and formerly of Wakefield, died at her home on April 13, 2020. She was the beloved wife of the late James R. Atkins.

Born in Boston, MA on December 5, 1930. She was the daughter of the late Clarence Irving Pierce and Elsie (Lucas) Pierce. Mary was a graduate of Medford High School. She worked at the North Reading High School Cafeteria and as a Home Health Aide.

Mary was always laughing and smiling. She enjoyed the Middleton Art Association activities, she loved to travel, crochet, and sew. In her earlier years, she was a fantastic cake decorator – always creating wonderful birthday cakes!

Family members include her daughters, Barbara N. Atkins and Donna E. Atkins; her late son, Clayton S. Atkins; her late siblings, Clarence (Bucky) I. Pierce, Jr., Virginia (Ginny) Velmure, Margorie (Midge) Roberts and many nieces, nephews, friends and in-laws who loved her dearly.

Burial for Mary and her husband James will be at the Veterans National Cemetery in Bourne, Massachusetts. At this time due to the Virus, services will be delayed to sometime in the future. Donations can be made in her memory to Mystic Valley Elder Services, 300 Commercial Street, No. 19, Malden, MA 02148 and/or the North Reading Veterans Services, 235 North Street, North Reading, MA 01864. Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Dorothy B. “Dot” Paicos, died Thursday, May 7, 2020 at Sutton Hill Center Skilled Nursing Facility in North Andover, at the age of 93.

Born in Everett, MA on December 9, 1926. She graduated from Everett High School, Katherine Gibbs Business School, Harvard University Public Speaking course, and lived in North Reading at 22 Sunset Avenue, for over 40 years prior to moving to an assisted living facility in recent years.

During WW II she served as a volunteer member of the Air Spotter Corps and the Boston USO.

Dot was an Executive Secretary and worked for the Massachusetts Department of Education, Phillips Academy Andover and Raytheon Corp.

She was a past member of the North Reading Water Commission, President and long-time member of the North Reading Garden Club, an Arthur Murray Studio dance instructor, champion water skier, and received many juried awards for flower arranging and perennial gardening.

She organized several Garden Club fashion shows and was the North Reading Fund Raising Campaign Chairman for the construction of the Wilmington Regional Health Center.

Dot was married to Bill Paicos prior to his passing in 2003 and is survived by her son Kevin and Wife Ann, son Christopher and wife Molly and son Alex and her three grandchildren and two great grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly.

Dot also had many additional relatives and dear friends who visited with her in the last few months of her life and she expressed her desire that they know how precious they were to her.

Her funeral will be at graveside, Wednesday, May 15, 2020.

Due to Corvid-19 restrictions, only a small number of family may attend.

In lieu of flowers Memorial donations may be made in her name to the New England Home for Little Wanderers, by visiting their website at www.thehome.org. Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Kathleen (Krupa) Sullivan

January 26, 1933-May 6, 2020

Kathleen T. (Krupa) Sullivan,- 87, beloved wife of the late Lawrence C. Sullivan, died on May 6, 2020 at Winchester Hospital. Kathleen lived at Windsor Place of Wilmington for the past few years but previously had been a long term resident of North Reading and parishioner of St. Theresa’s Parish. Kathleen died surrounded by the spirit of love from her daughters and their families.

Kathleen was born on January 26, 1933 in Albany NY, the daughter of the late Frank and Frances (Zientek) Krupa. She grew up in Fall River, MA where she graduated from Durfee High School, Class of 1950 and the Nursing School at Newport Hospital, RI, Class of 1955.

Kathleen followed her passion working as an RN at Newport Hospital, RI, Yale New Haven Hospital, Connecticut and for many years at “Dr. Lou’s” OB/GYN practice in Melrose, MA.

She enjoyed playing the piano and oil painting. Later in life, other interests included being a “snowbird” spending winters at Melbourne Beach, FL; time in Newport, RI, Caribbean cruises, walking the track at NRHS, visiting casino’s, crossword and jigsaw puzzles, playing cards, reading, BINGO, listening to music and singing along. But her greatest joy throughout her life was that of being a mother and grandmother.

Surviving family members include three daughters, Sandra Conron, of Methuen, MA; Judith Gosselin and husband Jay of Deerfield, NH; Jacqueline Bonasoro and husband Gary of North Andover, MA; six grandchildren, Jeffrey and Jessica Conron, Renee and Alex Gosselin and Leia and Shawn Bonasoro; sister in law, Anne Mills of Newport, RI and nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com A private burial ceremony will be held at Riverside Cemetery in North Reading on May 11, 2020. A celebration of Kathleen’s life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Kathleen’s memory to the “Massachusetts COVID19 relief fund”, c/o Foundation for Business Equity, 265 Franklin Street, BOX 304, Boston, MA 02110 or MACovid19ReliefFund.org