North Reading Obituaries

A very outgoing woman known for her laughter and boundless love

Published June 10, 2021

NORTH READING — Dorothy H. “Dottie” Gillis, 84, of North Reading, died March 25, 2020 at MelroseWakefield Hospital.

Born in North Reading on May 21, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Vincent and Helen (Lyons) Sarcone.

Dottie was…

A Vietnam veteran who loved to travel, loved all kinds of animals

Published June 10, 2021

LEBANON, N.H.— David Thornton was born on September 11, 1949, in Lebanon, N.H. and passed away on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.

He was the son of Burt and Eleanor (Chesley) Thornton. He is survived by his wife of 20…

The biggest sports fan who loved to watch his kids and grandkids play

Published June 10, 2021

STRAFFORD, N.H. — John (Jack) Herrick Sr. passed away peacefully at the age of 74 on June 6, 2021, at his home in Strafford, N.H., in the presence of his loving family. Jack was born May 10, 1947…

Active in Big Brothers Big Sisters; enjoyed singing, theatre, traveling

Published June 3, 2021

SARASOTA, Fla. — Joyce (Greene) Sewall of Sarasota, Fla., formerly of North Reading, Mass., and Edgecomb, Maine, passed away May 23, 2021 after a long illness.

Joyce was born on July 30, 1948 in Framingham, Mass. She was the daughter of…

Devoted wife, mother, sister and friend

Published June 3, 2021

DALLAS, TEXAS — Margaret (Docherty) Crotty, who was born in Scotland and was a long-time resident of Charlestown, Mass., where she raised her six children, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2021 at the age of 85 in Dallas, Texas.

Margaret was the loving wife…

Retired GE machinist enjoyed golf, tennis

Published May 27, 2021

WAKEFIELD — Robert R. Hansen, 79, of Wakefield, formerly of North Reading, died at his home on Sunday, May 23, 2021.

Born in Lynn on November 30, 1941, he was the son of the late Robert and Alice (Hamilton) Hansen.

Robert was raised in Lynn…

Her strong will and dedication to her family was unmatched

Published May 27, 2021

VERO BEACH, FLORIDA — Kathleen J. (Parsons) Twiggs, 71, of Vero Beach, Florida and Brownfield, Maine, formerly of North Reading and Winthrop, died Monday, May 17, 2021 at the Cleveland Clinic, Indian River Hospital in Vero Beach, Florida.

Born in Winthrop on…

Published May 27, 2021

NORTH READING — Denis Joseph Pelletier, 91, of North Reading, died on May 21, 2021.

Born on December 14, 1929, he was the beloved husband of Nancy Louise (Dechene) Pelletier and the devoted father of Marc Pelletier and his wife Meg of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Monique Pelletier and her husband Michael…

Faith, family and friends were central to his life

Published May 20, 2021

OXFORD, MICHIGAN — David E. Gunning, 59, of Oxford, Michigan and formerly of North Reading, Mass., passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 13, 2021 after a period of declining health.
He finished his Christian race strong believing God was always in control of…

Decorated WWII veteran, physicist for Army Nuclear Weapons Dept.

Published May 13, 2021

LYNNFIELD — Leonard P. Grady, 94, of Lynnfield, died on Friday, May 7, 2021 at the Brudnick Center in Peabody.

He was born in Somerville on September 1, 1926 and was the son of the late Alexander and Elizabeth (Brignoli) Grady.

Leonard…