Stephen “Steve” Corbett Hartery, age 67, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, December 22, 2023, surrounded by loved ones following a courageous battle with cancer.

Steve was born at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital on January 23, 1956 to Dorothy (Corbett) and William Hartery of North Reading, MA. He was the third of four boys and as such, Steve grew up to develop an unending love for sports, especially baseball. After graduating from North Reading High School in 1974, he went on to play college baseball (Mass Bay Community College 1975-76 and North Adams State College 1977-78). Steve’s dream of playing professional baseball became a reality in 1978 when he was signed to the Gulf Coast League to play for the Bradenton Cubs, an affiliate of MLB’s Chicago Cubs Organization. After pitching in 11 games with a 6-4 record, he transitioned to the Northwest League to play for the Victoria Mussels out of British Columbia where he played until 1979.

After hanging up his baseball cleats, Steve returned to Massachusetts where he met Gail (Johnson), fell in love, and they were married on September 8, 1984. Steve is survived by his wife of nearly 40 years and two of his children and their spouses, Christopher (Sara Hartery) and Brianna (Derek Allgaier). Steve was the beloved “Bumpa” to 5 grandchildren (Derek, Dylan and Amelia Allgaier & Nolan and Cooper Hartery) whom he adored more than anything. He was the brother of Andrew, Michael and Peter Hartery. Steve was preceded in death by both parents and one daughter, Catherine Marie Hartery.

Steve worked as a senior accountant for the North Reading Public School System for 29 years and was so excited for his well-earned retirement. To know Steve was to love him. And to love Steve meant a strong chance of conversing about any number of his favorite topics: baseball, woodworking, his “honey-do” list, sunbathing at the beach or the lake, his daily Numbers game, bowling, his hair, the weather or traffic patterns, his Camaro, home improvement projects, a good deal, a game of Scrabble, Hallmark Christmas movies, or the price of gas.

But in all seriousness, Steve was a people person through and through. Sharing conversations with people, friends and strangers alike, brought him so much happiness. He was equal parts gentle and masculine, funny and genuine, romantic and realist. His passing at this time of year feels bittersweet for so many reasons, because Christmas was his all time favorite. It’s not every day that you meet a man who adored Christmas like Steve did. He wore a different Christmas tie to work every day each December and dreamed of a home big enough for a “Christmas room” where he could set up his favorite decorations to view all year long.

There’s comfort in knowing that Steve was free from pain for Christmas this year. Family, friends, and loved ones who were touched by Steve’s life are invited to join us in celebrating his memory at calling hours on Thursday, December 28, 2023 from 4-7PM at Croswell Funeral Home in North Reading, MA. (www.croswellfuneralhome.com). In lieu of flowers, Steve asked that donations be made in his memory to the Tufts Cancer Center and Little League of America. https://giving.tuftsmedicalcenter.org/cancer https://www.littleleague.org/who-we-are/making-a-donation/

Richard  A. Carter – 63, of Tewksbury and formerly of Malden and North Reading, died on Sunday, December 17, 2023, at the High Pointe House in Haverhill, after a lengthy illness.

Born in Stoneham, MA on December 19, 1959, he was the son of the late Donald P., Sr. and Joan L. (Bugley) Carter. He was raised and attended school in Malden.

Richard was a School Crossing Guard for the City of Malden. He was an avid Boston Sports fan. Richard was a kind, loving and caring person. He loved his family very much. He enjoyed fishing, boating, puzzles and his pet cat.

Family members include his loving brothers, Robert Carter and his wife Debra and the late Donald P. Carter, Jr.;  his sisters, Linda McCullough and her husband Jim  and Ann Moniott  and her husband Ken. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

His funeral service will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Thursday, December 28 at 11:30 AM. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10:00 to 11:20 AM. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice.

https://www.croswellfuneralhome.com

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