The life of the party who loved Boston sports and the Special Olympics
READING — Robert J. Heselton, 54, of Reading and formerly of North Reading, died on Monday, April 1, 2024 at Bear Mountain at Reading, after a lengthy illness.
Born in Melrose on March 18, 1970, he was raised in North Reading and was a graduate of David Prouty High School in Spencer, Class of 1991. He worked for Stop & Shop and Market Basket as a grocery clerk. He also worked for the Barnside Restaurant in North Reading as a dishwasher.
He always had a positive attitude, a smile that lit up the room and his pure innocence. Rob was always willing to help others and was always there to support and cheer on his nephews and niece. He was always the life of the party; he loved all the Boston sports teams and especially enjoyed working at the grocery store.
Rob loved Special Olympics softball and basketball, for which he was a Gold Medalist and a Medalist for the flag football team. He was an assistant coach for Saugus Pop Warner Football and also earned a Brown Belt in Judo. He was a resident of Reading for the past 10 years and was a life volunteer of the Jimmy Fund.
Family members include his loving mother, Sharon Ann (Knight) Heselton of Reading; his brother, Fred Heselton and his wife Grace of Newbury and their son and daughter, Joshua and Madison Heselton; and his sister, Laura Cole, and her husband Michael of Saugus and their sons, Patrick and Shawn Cole. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins here in Massachusetts and Florida. He was the son of the late Frederick M. Heselton.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 16 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Special Olympics. To leave an online message of condolence please visit croswellfuneralhome.com.
