North Reading Obituaries

Longtime, well-admired WHS boys’ soccer coach whose legacy will live on forever

WAKEFIELD — Richard G. “Dick” Kelley, 81, formerly of Wakefield and North Reading, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 22, 2026 in Concord, N.H. surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on January 27, 1944 in Boston. Richard was the son of the…

Known for his unsinkable good nature, kindness, and helpfulness to all

NEWTON, N.H. — William G. “Bill” Steph, 63, of Newton, N.H., formerly of North Reading, an award-winning auto body technician, passed away January 23, 2026 at Tufts Medical Center following a brief illness.

Born in Malden, he was the son of Rosemarie (Coviello) Steph…

Successful in business ventures, stock car enthusiast and consummate tinkerer

PLYMOUTH — Fred Hitchins, 76, of Plymouth, formerly of Abington and North Reading, passed away following a dignified battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Fred was born on March 22, 1949 in Chelsea, Mass. to the late Arthur and Philomena (Greico) Hitchins and grew up in…

Cherished time with family, sharing her creativity, and fostering and adopting dogs

PELHAM, N.H. — It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Shelley Law (Conron) Montanaro, age 68, of Pelham, N.H. Shelley passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on January 15, 2026 following a long and courageous battle with…

Loving wife, caring friend, devoted daughter and loving sister

NORTH READING — Julie E. (LaCoste) Di Meo, 59, of North Reading and formerly of Lynnfield, died unexpectedly on Friday, January 15, 2026.
Born in Melrose, Mass. on July 1, 1966, she was the daughter of the late Richard C. and Virginia E. (Stephan) LaCoste.

Julie was…

Loved hockey, football, gardening and cooking

TIVERTON, R.I. — Bruce A. Peoples, 75, of Tiverton, R.I. and formerly of North Reading, died on Monday, January 5, 2026.

Born in Boston on August 22, 1950, he was the son of the late Paul E. and Shirley M. (Chaplin) Peoples. Bruce was raised and attended school in…

WWII veteran; avid outdoorsman who enjoyed camping and hiking

HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colorado — Thomas Merriam Foster, aged 100, passed away on December 22, 2025 in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.

He was born on Christmas Day in 1924 in Reading, Massachusetts. He was raised in North Reading, where his father Harold was a carpenter and his…

A ‘Quiet Giant’ in Physics and Radiological Sciences who also enjoyed playing the trumpet

NORTH READING — George E. Chabot Jr., 85, of North Reading, died on December 21, 2025. He was the beloved husband of 63 years to Elaine (Briscoe) Chabot and the father of Mark Chabot and his wife Kim of Andover, Michelle…

Aero-thermo systems engineer, avid outdoorsman, sportsman and tinkerer

WEST PEABODY — Paul A. Gilleberto, 72, of West Peabody and Poland, Maine, died peacefully on Saturday, December 27, 2025 after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was the beloved husband of Maureen (Bedard) Gilleberto with whom he shared 48 years of marriage.

Born in Chelsea, Paul…

Her warmth and generosity were contagious

NORTH READING — Laura A. McLaughlin, 61, of North Reading and formerly of Woburn, died unexpectedly at her home on Friday, December 26, 2025.

Born in Winchester on July 31, 1964, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Ann Catherine (Glennon) McLaughlin.

Laura was a graduate of…

Had a keen Irish wit; enjoyed cooking, oil painting, gardening, and knitting beautiful sweaters

HAVERHILL — Marjorie Ann (Meagher) Sasso, 95, of Haverhill, formerly of North Reading and South Yarmouth, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2025.

Marge is survived by her daughters, Marcia (Bernie) McIntee and Marjorie (Charles) Slick; brother, John (Carol) Meagher; sister…

Cherished her family, cooking, gardening, traveling and hosting holiday gatherings

NORTH READING—Assunta (Pisano) Sementa, 68, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 following a courageous battle with metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Born in Pratola Serra, Avellino, Italy on September 22, 1957, to Felice and Maria (Brogna) Pisano, she resided…