Beloved founder of North Reading Youth Basketball
Published December 12, 2019
NORTH READING — Lawrence A. Dysart Jr., 78, of North Reading, died peacefully at his home on Monday, December 2, 2019.
Born in Pittsfield, Maine on March 12, 1941, he was the son of the late Lawrence and Mabel Irene (Clough) Dysart. He was a graduate of Maine Central Institute and Boston College, and he received his Ph.D. in Mathematics from Northeastern University.
Larry moved to North Reading to teach math at Merrimack College. He later went on to work 30 years as a Software Engineer at Parametric Technology (formerly Computer Vision / Prime Computers).
He had been a resident of North Reading since 1970 and was a member of St. Theresa’s Church. He founded the North Reading Youth Basketball program in the 1970s and nurtured it for the next 45 years. If you’ve been involved in any way, Larry had an impact on you. He was also involved with the North Reading Recreation Committee, Little League and Youth Softball. He also gave his time to many other programs in town (including music and theater in the schools), volunteering too many hours to count. Larry always had a smile; he was a great conversationalist and a terrific basketball player. Larry also traveled on Middle School trips, including the famous Charlie Jones trips for years, even after his own children had moved on.
At a recent Select Board meeting at the Town Hall, which included Select Board members, State Senator Bruce Tarr, State Representative Brad Jones and a room filled with many old friends who came to honor Larry, family members accepted, on his behalf, many heartfelt accolades and tributes for his 40-plus years of dedication to the youth of North Reading, particularly as a coach, mentor and founder of North Reading Youth Basketball.
Family members include his loving wife of 55 years, Mary Lou (McClelland) Dysart; sons, Lawrence A. “Lad” Dysart, III and his wife Susan of Haverhill and Peter B. Dysart and his wife Jan of Richfield, Minn.; his daughter, Elizabeth “Buffy” Rymill and her husband Jerry of North Reading; sisters, Mary Quint of Pittsfield, Maine and the late Nancy Veilleux; grandchildren, Amanda Dysart of Haverhill, Andrew Dysart and his fiancée Trixie Vazquez of Manchester, N.H.; Patrick and Kate Dysart of Richfield, Minn., and Declan and Ainsley Rymill of North Reading; and practically family, the MacTaylors of Salem.
His funeral will be held on Monday, December 16 at 11 a.m. at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street (Rte. 62), North Reading. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, December 15 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to a community program of your choice or: Voices Of Hope, c/o Ed Siegal, 171 Park Street, Stoneham, MA 02180. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.croswellfuneralhome.com.
