North Reading Obituaries

‘Diesel Don’ could fix anything

Published October 3, 2019

ANDOVER — Donald G. Hitchins, 68, of Andover and formerly of North Reading, died Friday, September 27, 2019 at the Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley in Billerica.

Donald was born in Chelsea on March 2, 1951. He was the son of the late Arthur P…

Town’s health agent for 35 years

Published October 3, 2019

SALEM — Martin W. Fair, 66, of Salem, beloved husband of Susan (Brockney) Fair, passed away Monday, September 30, 2019 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Framingham, he was the son of Janet (Intinarelli) Fair and…

Published September 26, 2019

Carpenter for A&A Windows many years

NORTH READING — Robert J. “Bob” MacDonald, 84, of North Reading and formerly of Malden, died Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington.

Born in Cambridge on October 23, 1934, he was the son of the late Charles and…

Talented artist, was longtime resident

Published September 19, 2019

NASHUA, N.H. — Gail I. (Fudge) Nelson, 76, of Nashua, N.H., formerly of North Reading and Lynnfield, died on Saturday, September 14, 2019 at Langdon Place in Nashua, N.H. She was the beloved wife of 53 years to the late Allan R. Nelson.

Born in St…

Lifelong resident; winner of Apple Fest Apple Pie contest

Published September 19, 2019

NORTH READING — Alice M. (Tarbox) Nickerson, 91, of North Reading, died Friday, September 13, 2019 at Hathorne Hill Genesis Healthcare in Danvers.

Born on September 11, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Theodore and Laura (Hamilton) Tarbox. Alice was…

Founder of Royal Air Systems; enjoyed summers at Sebago Lake

Published September 19, 2019

NORTH READING — Arthur A. Pickett, Jr., 76, of North Reading passed away at Lahey Hospital on September 13, 2019 after a courageous battle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Born in Malden on April 1, 1943, he was originally from Everett, the…

Enjoyed ballroom dancing, golf, painting

Published September 19, 2019

REVERE — Elizabeth (Ballerini) Mitchell, 81, of Revere, formerly East Boston, passed away at on Sunday, September 8, 2019.

Elizabeth was born on November 15, 1937, in Boston, to Andrew and Rose Ballerini. She graduated from East Boston High School in 1955. Elizabeth was devoutly religious…

Loved the outdoors

Published September 12, 2019

NORTH READING — Scott Anthony Welch, 33, passed away unexpectedly on August 8, 2019.

Scott grew up in North Reading until the age of 16 when he moved to Erie, Colorado. He moved to Alaska in May of 2017 to follow his adventurous side and love for the…

Lifelong volunteer in many North Reading organizations

Published September 12, 2019

NORTH READING — Longtime North Reading resident Billie Jean Skerrett, 88, passed away on August 29, 2019. She was the loving daughter of the late Catherine and Jack Eilers of Batavia, Ohio and was the devoted younger sister of Mary Hancock of Batavia, Ohio, and…

Former Wakefield selectman and BPW member

Published September 12, 2019

WAKEFIELD — James E. Good, 82, of Wakefield, died on Wednesday, September 4, 2019 at the Bear Hill Nursing Center.

Born in Boston on June 6, 1937, he was the son of the late James E. and Helen (Fleming) Good.

Mr. Good was a graduate of…

Flew his own plane and enjoyed hang-gliding

Published September 12, 2019

MELROSE — Francis J. “Jiga” Stamegna, 62, of Melrose, died unexpectedly on August 30, 2019. He was born and raised in Melrose and was a lifelong resident.

Jiga, also known to friends and family as Francis, Franny, Fran, Frank or Tabby, brought the party…

Union carpenter, worked on Boston’s Big Dig

Published September 12, 2019

MARLBOROUGH — Paul R. MacKenzie, 68, born on October 19,1950 passed away at his home on August 27, 2019 with his family at his side.

He leaves his sister Barbara Natali of Marlborough, his brother William MacKenzie Jr. and his wife Barbara of Andover; his…