Herbert E. Batchelder, Sr., 84, of Canterbury, NH, formerly of North Reading, passed away on Wednesday, December 6, 2023.

Born in Winchester, MA on January 26, 1939, he was the son of the late Lester E. Batchelder and Gladys A. (Schrow) Batchelder of North Reading. He was raised in North Reading, attending town schools until he went to Reading High School. He was in the last class of North Reading students to graduate from Reading High (1957). He attended college in Missouri and was drafted into the U.S. Army soon after he returned home in 1963. During part of his 4 years of service, he was stationed at Fort Zuma, Japan, where he was fortunate to play for the Army football and baseball teams.

Soon after discharge he married his wife of 58 years, Susan Bishop of Natick, MA. They made their home in the old Batchelder house on Park Street where they raised their three children.

Herb was a safety engineer for an insurance company for several years, but his life-long dream was to open his own sporting goods business. In 1972 his dream was fulfilled, becoming co-owner of Bucko’s Sporting Goods for 25 years. He catered to his customers, sharpening skates, re lacing baseball gloves, and selling shirts and uniforms for all youth sports in town. He even stocked worms for the fishing lovers. He loved serving his customers and supplying their needs.

Herb was deeply involved in his hometown, sponsoring and supporting various groups. Some of these include the Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation, Pop Warner football and his softball team, Bucko’s. He was a member of the Recreation Committee, served 2 terms as a Selectman, and was recognized in “Who’s Who” in 1975 as a distinguished citizen of the state of Massachusetts.

After leaving North Reading, he continued to operate as Bucko’s Team Outfitters, where he sold uniforms and sports apparel, t-shirts and jackets to many businesses and firehouses in the area. Never leaving North Reading in his heart, he commuted to Massachusetts almost daily, delivering completed goods to his customers. Business contacts became friends. Family, friends and sports fulfilled his life.

He is survived by his sons, Herbert E. Batchelder, Jr. and his wife Jackie of Canterbury, NH, Douglas Batchelder and his wife Justine of North Reading, MA, his daughter Jennifer Gilbert and her husband Keith of Norton, MA, 3 grandchildren, Melody Batchelder, Elizabeth Gilbert and Teddy Batchelder. He leaves his nephews Kris O’Donnell and his wife Karen of Florida, and Kevin O’Donnell of Georgia, and his special niece Cheryl Burns-Mullett and her husband Rob of Nashua, NH. He was predeceased by his sisters, June E. O’Donnell and Marcia Burns.

A wake will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home in North Reading, MA on Saturday December 16, 2023 from 1-4 pm. Burial will be held privately at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice.  www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Barbara A. (Robinson) Becker – 91, of Lynnfield and formerly of North Reading, passed away on Friday, November 17, 2023. She was the beloved wife of the late Ernest Becker.

Born in Boston, MA on March 14, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Beatrice (Brown) Robinson. Barbara was a graduate of Chelsea High School. She later graduated from Boston University and Bouve College of Health Sciences.

Barbara worked as a Medical Secretary for many years. She was a member of the Centre Congregational Church in Lynnfield. She was passionate about books and was the President of the Friends of the Library in Lynnfield. Barbara loved and cherished her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Family members include her daughter, Robyn Biagioni and her husband Michael; three grandchildren, Jennifer Small, Michael Bruce and Stephanie Biagioni; two great grandchildren, Michael and Ryan Small.

Services will be private and are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Edward J. “Ed” Gillespie – 87, of North Reading, passed away at his home on Monday, November 13, 2023.

Born in Chelsea, MA on May 13, 1936. He was the son of the late Joseph and Carmelita (Mullens) Gillespie. He was raised and attended school in Revere and was a graduate of Revere High School, Class of 1954.

Ed worked as a Telecommunications Supervisor for the One Beacon Insurance Company. He has been a resident of North Reading for the past twenty years. He was a member of the Andover Sportsmen’s Club, The North Shore Radio Association and the Sydney Amateur Radio Club.

Ed was Susan’s husband and best friend. He was a special friend to all who knew him. He lived for his two great grandsons. He loved Ham Radio and pistol shooting.

Family members include his loving wife of 48 years, Susan M. (Enos) Gillespie; his son, Michael Gillespie and daughter, Cynthia (Gillespie) Cochran, from his previous marriage to Myrna (Stevens) Gillespie; granddaughter, Shannon (Cochran) Hawkes and her husband Alex; two great-grandsons, Colden and Thomas.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday, November 19 from 3 to 7 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Peter  Michael  Czerwonka – 74, of Belmont, NH and formerly of Reading, MA, passed away peacefully at his home with his wife and daughter at his side on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.

He was born in Boston, MA on February 6, 1949.  He was the son of the late John F. and Celia (Perron) Czerwonka.

Since 1970, Peter has worked in the trucking industry. Peter was a Diesel Truck Mechanic at Malone’s Trucking, Spear Trucking, AMI Leasing, Penske, and was a Truck Driver at Ross Express wherein he retired in 2010.

Peter’s love for his family and friends is what made him so special. Peter resided for over 50 years in Reading, MA and grew up spending time at his family cottage on Lake Winnisquam. In 2000 Peter and his loving wife, Barbara, permanently moved to Belmont, NH on Lake Winnisquam where Peter said, “coming home after work was like being on vacation.”

Peter enjoyed his life on the lake and spent time sitting by the campfire, snowmobiling, fishing, and boating on his cherished 1992 Four Winns that he kept in pristine condition. Peter loved cooking on his Wolf stove, grilling in the summer or even during snowstorms, camping in the Kancamangus, and tending to his vegetable garden. Peter was a meticulous and patient man and would find joy spending hours on end watering his grass which was well-maintained and made him proud.

You could always find Peter tinkering in his garage rebuilding motors, tuning up his John Deere lawn mower and working on his antique Aries snowblower (nicknamed “the monster” by his neighbors).
Peter enjoyed spending time with his devoted wife, Barbara and his daughter, Lori, whom he affectionately called darlin’. Peter always looked forward to their father & daughter annual trips to the Nascar Race at Louden Speedway and Bike Weekend at Weirs Beach. He also enjoyed going to antique car shows with his best friend, George Lewis.

Peter always looked forward to going out with his wife and daughter whether it was to drive around on a scooter while shopping, going out to eat, or taking a ride along the Kancamangus Highway to reminisce. As Peter’s health issues progressed, he found comfort enjoying the warmth of the sunshine outside, sanding and refinishing his collection of canes, and coloring.
Some of Peter’s proudest moments over the past couple of years were passing down his vast knowledge to his soulmate Barbara and their daughter as he taught them how to “properly” mow and fertilize the lawn and how use his weed whacker. Peter loved teaching Lori how to change the lawn mower and boat batteries, jump start the truck, boat, and lawn mower, and how to use a drill and air compressor. These teaching moments were Peter’s gift to help Lori and Barbara prepare for when he was not well enough to do these things, and in order for them to be able to.
Peter was a genuinely witty and happy man, and never complained about his medical issues, doctor visits, and repeated stays at the hospital.  During his most recent admission at Concord Hospital, prior to Peter’s discharge, he was visited by many Nurses, Doctors and Specialists and received lots of hugs and well wishes from the hospital staff which is a testament of the impression Peter had on people.

Family members include his loving wife Barbara Mary (Sobocinski) Czerwonka; his daughter  Lori Ann Czerwonka and her partner Lisa Mazzone of Billerica, MA; sisters, Mary (Czerwonka) Smith and her husband Kenneth of Tewksbury, MA and Cheryl (Czerwonka) Andrews of Northfield, VT; his late brothers Paul and Michael Czerwonka; two grandchildren Alannah and Cody Biancuzzo; also survived by his son Michael John Czerwonka, many nieces, nephews, and fur babies, his dog Bella, and his cats Reese and Petey.

In lieu of flowers, kindly donate to Granite VNA, 30 Pillsbury Street, Concord, NH 03301.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, November 17 from 3 to 6 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading.

We would like to give heartful thanks to the Doctors, Nurses, Specialists, and Staff at Concord Hospital, and Granite VNA & Hospice who always took amazing care of Peter during his health journey.

“I will never stop missing you, I will never stop loving you. Therefore, I most certainly will never stop remembering, speaking of, and honoring you. You are more than a memory.”

Ann C. (Carlin) Connors – 90, of North Reading and formerly of Somerville, passed away on Monday, November 6, 2023 at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center. She was the beloved wife of the late William V. Connors.

Born in Boston, MA on July 28, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Francis J. and Mary M. (McLaughlin) Carlin. Ann was raised and attended school in Somerville. She was a graduate of Somerville High School, Class of 1955.

Ann worked for many years as a Keyboard Operator. She was a vibrant personality, that left a mark on everyone she touched. She loved traveling and spending time in Florida in the winter.  She always gave the most amazing gifts out of the goodness of her heart.

Ann loved going shopping to find deals and going to the Casino. Ann enjoyed her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also loved to dress up for all occasions.

She has been a resident of North Reading for the past 45 years. Ann was a member of St. Theresa’s Church in North Reading, the Auto-Inflammatory Alliance and St. Jude Research Hospital.

Family members include her loving son, William J. Connors and his wife Erna and  her daughter, Sheila Twohig and her husband Kenneth; her late daughter Mary Connors; her brother, Robert Carlin and her late sister, Ruth Carlin; 5 loving grandchildren, Erin Henning, Jillian Cerqueira, Alison Babineau, Jessica Wong and Alicia Oliver; 11 great grandchildren, Tatum, Victoria, Aayden, Bella, Austin, Gus, Conor, Eloise, Samuel, Kennedy and Dylan.

Her funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Wednesday, November 15 at 9:15 AM, followed by a 10:30 AM Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street, North Reading. Calling hours on Tuesday, November 14 from 4 to 8 PM. In lieu of flowers Ann would like memorial donations to be sent to the Auto-Inflammatory Alliance in honor of her grandson Samuel. (autoinflammatory.org)