All posts by Carol Croswell

Phillip John Hoyt

Phillip John Hoyt – 84, of Fountain, FL and formerly of North Reading, passed away Friday, August 25, 2023, at his home.

Phil was born on December 31,1938 in Wilmington Hospital, Wilmington MA to Alfred & Anna Hoyt. He was the 5th child of 10 and lived in North Reading MA. Phil worked on a chicken farm while attending Essex Agricultural School and would ride his bicycle up & down the hills in the cold just to get to school. He earned the nickname “Jake the farmer” from his brother-in-law Paul Sweeney. He dropped out of school but went back and graduated in 1959, the same year as his brother, Richard. He met his first wife during his tour of duty in the National Guard. They raised their 3 children in Newton, MA before their divorce.

He worked as an Electrical Technician at BLH Electronics for several years before he was laid off. He bought a house in Readville before moving to Blountstown, Florida to get out of the cold & snow, and where he met his wife, Patricia. Other than his parents Phil is predeceased by his sisters, Arline Lumb Garlington, Barbara Enos and Cathy Cartwright and brothers, Alfred Hoyt Jr. & Richard (Dick) Hoyt, and his son Michael Hoyt. He is survived by his wife of 35 years Patricia; his daughters from his first marriage, Marie Hoyt-Pariury (Bob) of Norwood, MA, Laura Henderson (Roger) of Marlborough MA and son Jay Hoyt (Mary) of Hingham, MA; his 3 stepchildren; Andy Bailey, Gay Richards & Randy Brantley of Florida, one grandson, 4 step granddaughters, and 7 step great grandchildren. His siblings, Alice Sweeney of Maine, Ruth Ross of Massachusetts, Herbert Hoyt of Massachusetts & Jason Hoyt of NH; His one special Aunt Gladys Jaworski of NH.

There will be a private memorial service at his home in Florida with a private burial at Riverside Cemetery in North Reading, MA, at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading (www.croswellfuneralhome.com). Online condolences may be made at Adamsfh.com (850-674-5449

Carla Jean Langtry

Carla Jean (Jacques) Langtry, 71, of Alton, NH and formerly of North Reading, passed away Sunday, September 10, 2023 at the Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, after a long illness with her loving family by her side.

She was born October 8, 1951 in Melrose, MA, the daughter of the late Carl and Helen (McCarthy) Jacques.

Carla has resided In Alton for the past 30 years where she worked as a waitress for Johnsons Restaurant previously known as the Station. Before this she was a resident of North Reading for many years. Carla worked at Kelley’s Seafood and Steakhouse before bartending at the Moose Hall. She was an avid fan of Patriots, Tom Brady and of course she never missed an episode of General Hospital. Her hobbies included Her garden which she loved, traveling the country, reading, and riding the motorcycle with her husband Tom. But most of all, Carla loved spending time with her family and friends.

Members of her family include her husband Tom Kenny, Her son, Kevin Wulleman and wife Kristen; daughters, Jennifer Wulleman and her Fiancé Leonard, Danielle Adair and her wife Wendy; Step daughters Prudy and Paula Langtry; 7 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; sisters, Sally Sanborn and her late husband Richard; Jo Marie Allen and her husband Bert; Bonnie McDonald and her husband Carl; several nieces and nephews and her best friend Lynne Roberts Stone. Carla was predeceased by her son, Reginald Adair Jr.

This is an informal celebration of life, please come in patriots gear especially if you have a TB12 shirt.

Visitation will be on Sept. 25, 2023 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading, MA. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Kevin B. Freeman


Kevin B. Freeman – 67, of Waltham and formerly of North Reading, passed away at Newton-Wellesley Hospital on Thursday, September 14, 2023.

Born in Lynn, MA on February 29, 1956, he was the son of the late Albert J. and Marion V. (Pontius) Freeman. He attended North Reading public schools and graduated from Northeast Metropolitan Regional Technical Vocational High School in Wakefield.

Kevin worked as a chef in several restaurants over the years, including Kelly’s and the Barnside in North Reading, 99 restaurants and also several others in the Worcester area.

Kevin loved all sports and he followed all the Boston teams.

Family members include his loving sister Alison J. (Freeman) Casey and her husband James of North Reading and the late Karen A. (Freeman) Rooney; he was the father of the late Lauren (Freeman) Viall. Also survived by 2 nieces and nephews and many wonderful friends (especially Shawn).

Services will be private at a later date.  Arrangements are under the direction of Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading.  www.CroswellFuneralHome.com

Lyman Everett Fancy, II

Lyman Everett Fancy, II – North Reading legend, passed away on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at the age of 94.

He was born and raised in North Reading and was the son of the late Lyman (Sr.) & Bernice Fancy. He was a graduate of Reading High School, Class of 1947. He was a lifelong resident of North Reading for 92 years.

Lyman was a Veteran of the U.S. Army (Korean War) and a retiree of Local 283, where he had a long successful career in plumbing and pipe fitting. He served as a former Assistant Plumbing Inspector for the Town of North Reading. On October 4, 1953, he married the love of his life, Barbara. They shared many memories living in a home he built for her and his family.

In his retirement, Lyman became an avid farmer best known for the sweet corn he sold at Turner Farm.

Lyman is predeceased by his wife Barbara Hamilton Fancy, his daughter Lauren and her husband John Wissler, his son James Fancy, and grandchildren, Matthew & Jessica Parrish.

He is survived by many friends and family including his children; daughter Sharon (David) Parrish, his son Lyman “Butch” (Maria) Fancy, III, his daughter in-law Cheryl Fancy, grandchildren; Jared Parrish, Phuong Bui, Amanda (Evan) Fancy, Sarah (RJ) LoPresti, Tiffany (Ray) Henderson, and Kristina (Anthony) Agganis and great grandchildren; Jimmy Bui, Alex (Bailey) Bui, Sienna & Sylas Craig, Elias, Anthony, and Daniella Agganis, and Roxanne Henderson.

In his final years he enjoyed living up in the White Mountains in New Hampshire with his son and daughter in-law. He attended Mount Washington Valley Adult Day Center, and he would always praise the great people who worked there and loved being a part of their family.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Betty C. Ketchum Foundation. This foundation founded and operates the Mount Washington Valley Adult Day Center. It’s purpose is to support those with memory loss as well as their caregivers.

His funeral will be held on Saturday, September 16 at 11:00 AM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Calling hours will be held on Friday, September 15 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Janet M. Comerford

Janet  M. (Zizza) Comerford – 92, of North Reading, passed away on Friday, September 1, 2023, at the Lawrence General Hospital. She was the beloved wife of the late Thomas J. Comerford.

Born in Boston, MA on July 15, 1931. She was the daughter of the late Alphonse and Constance (Marenna) Zizza. Janet was a graduate of Christopher Columbus High School in Boston’s North End and Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School in Boston.

She was an Administrative Assistant for many years for NELCO (New England Lead Company) in Woburn. Janet was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who loved cooking, reading, traveling and most of all, spending time with her family. She loved art, photography and the local North Reading Public Library Book Club.

Family members include her loving son, Thomas J. Comerford, Jr. and his wife Brenda (Zingapan); daughters, Karen M. Sullivan and her husband Timothy and Lauren J. Ream and her husband Ben; late brothers, Joseph J. and John A. Zizza; sisters, Constance Smith and the late Marilyn A. DiFonzo; seven grandchildren, Daniel, Connor, Isabelle, William, Madeleine, Matthew and Caroline.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 7, from 9:00 to 10:30 AM, at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Stret, North Reading, followed by an 11:00 AM Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street, North Reading. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to: Friends of the Flint Memorial Library, P.O. Box 576, North Reading, MA 01864, or the Alzheimer’s Association @https://act.alz.org/

www.croswellfuneralhome.com