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

Douglas Arthur Russell – age 75, of Plymouth, formerly of Wakefield, formerly of Lynnfield, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on August 29, 2023.

Born July 6, 1948 in Lynn, MA. Doug was the eldest son of the late Jean (Dearborn) and Arthur Russell.  He was raised in Lynnfield and graduated from Lynnfield High School.  He would return to the Lynnfield school system as a teacher after graduating from Salem State College and earning a Masters of Education from Boston University.   He served as an educator in Lynnfield for his entire 35-year-career, starting as a teacher in the Huckleberry Hill School in 1970 and ultimately retiring as the principal of Lynnfield Middle School in 2005.  He loved teaching and positively impacted the lives of countless students over his career.

Doug is survived by his loving family: he was happily married to his loving wife Mary (McFarland) Russell for over 51 years; his son Jonathan Russell of Pacific Grove, CA and daughter-in-law Blake (Phillips) Russell, grandson Quin (14), and granddaughter Liv (10); his daughter Jaime (Russell) Balsis of Mattapoisett, MA, son-in-law Brian Balsis, grandson Samuel (18), and granddaughters Callan (16) and Abigail (14); and, his son Andrew Russell of San Luis Obispo, CA, daughter-in-law Bianca (Kissel) Russell and granddaughters Isla (8) and Delaney (3).

He is also survived by his sister Ellen (Russell) Dolan of Tewksbury, MA and brother-in-law Thomas Dolan. He is predeceased by his late brother Robert Ivan Russell.

“Uncle Doug” was loved dearly by his thirteen brothers and sisters-in-law and his twenty-two nieces and nephews.  He treasured his many friendships from his colleagues in Lynnfield to his neighbors on Paon Boulevard to his newest friends at the Pine Hills.

Doug was deeply passionate about education and especially those issues that improved the opportunities of young people.  He was quick with a joke, empathetic, humble, dedicated, and had a huge smile.  He was always the first to offer help and had an artistic side that only those close to him knew well.

Most important to him was his family.  He worked tirelessly to make sure his kids enjoyed every opportunity and he never missed any milestone, race, performance, or game.  He especially loved spending time with his seven grandchildren.  Affectionately known as Buppy, his Sammy, Callan, Abby, Quin, Livy, Isla, and Laney meant the world to him and he would brag about them to anyone who would listen.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the numerous nurses, caregivers, and specialists that treated Doug with such love, dignity, and tenderness over his final months.

Visitations will be held on Monday, September 4th from 4 PM to 7 PM at Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com.  Funeral Services will likewise be held at Croswell Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 5th at 11 AM with Interment to follow in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation in Doug’s honor to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Save the Children, or another worthy charity of your choice.

John Albert DeRosa – 45, of North Andover, died unexpectedly at his home on August 22, 2023. He was born in Stoneham, MA on August 21, 1978.

John was a graduate of Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School. He worked as an independent hardwood and tile contractor.

John Albert DeRosa was a man who marched to the beat of his own drum, even if that drum was occasionally out of tune. He had a knack for doing things his way, which, to be frank, wasn’t always the easiest route. But what he might have lacked in shortcuts, he compensated for with sheer ingenuity and relentless endurance. If something broke, it should’ve been dubbed “Johnny-rigged” rather than “jerry-rigged,” a skill undoubtedly passed on from his grandfather. His prowess in fixing things was almost as renowned as his knack for acquiring broken items in the first place. And if you ever had the privilege (or challenge) of laying a floor alongside him, you’d quickly realize that “good enough” wasn’t a phrase in his dictionary. Precision could’ve been his middle name, if not for the family’s overuse of the names “Albert” and “John.”

He possessed a natural talent for fishing. Anyone who recalls fishing with him might feel a tad inadequate in comparison. Yet, that feeling often spurred you on to keep fishing. He was too nonchalant to let on if that was his intention.

In John’s world, love came with ease. If he loved you, you felt it deeply. You could always expect some momentary discomfort but it was always eclipsed by the immense joy he infused into our lives. His heart, ever expansive, consistently outpaced his means, but that never deterred him from giving his all.

John DeRosa didn’t merely exist; he lived life on his terms. So, here’s to a father, brother, son, cousin, nephew, and friend who left an indelible imprint on all our hearts. John, you will be deeply missed, but it’s evident in the way we live and love that your spirit endures in each of us.

John A. DeRosa is survived  by his mother, Mary Ann Donahue (Arsenault) and her partner, Bill LaVergne; his father, Albert J. DeRosa and his wife, Vickey; his four children: Matthew Ritter, Ariana, Jack, and Josh DeRosa; his brother, A.J. DeRosa and his wife, Sabrina; his life partner, Angelique (Nick) DeRosa; his stepbrothers: David Donahue and his wife, Mellissa; Joel Donahue; and Dave Stankiewicz and his wife April; his aunts and uncles: Joanne and Mike Herook, Donna and Paul Martell, Bill DeRosa and his partner, Mike Smolak, John and Kate DeRosa, and Uncle Bob; his cousins: Zachary Herook, Josh Bruno, Scott Bruno, and Chris Bruno and his wife, Nicole. He was predeceased by his stepfather, Paul Donahue; his uncle, Peter Bruno; and his grandparents, James and Nancy Arsenault, and John and Ruth DeRosa.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 29 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM and his funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 30 at 10:30 AM 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

Donald F. Gonzalo – 97, of North Reading and formerly of Cambridge, died at his home on Friday, August 18, 2023. He was a retired 27 year Firefighter for the CIty of Cambridge.

Born in Boston, MA on July 20, 1926, he was the son of the late Frederick and Elizabeth (Miller) Gonzalo. Donald was a U.S. Navy Veteran of World War II, he was a Seaman 2^nd Class and served from January 9, 1945 to November 29, 1946.

Donald loved building or repairing something. He enjoyed music and going dancing. He has been a resident of North Reading for the past 60 years.

Family members include his loving wife of 72 years, Theresa M. (Silva) Gonzalo; his son, Bob Gonzalo and his daughters, Donna DeMarco and her husband Charlie and Terry (Longo) Gaffney; he was the father of the late Donny Gonzalo; brothers, Steve and John Gonzalo, the late Ricky and Fredie Gonzalo; sisters, Do Gonzalo, Gracie  McDonald, Chickie Meyers, Marci Loeher, Eve Conway, Geraldine Perry, Patti Warner and Terri Smith, the late Connie Symonds and Marci Loeher; 5 grandchildren, Bill and Dave Longo, Stephanie and Michael DeMarco and Nicole Abruzzese; 14 great grandchildren, Will, George, Chloe, Jack, Chris and Angela Longo, Evan Abruzzese, Cody and Marielle Finn, Sonny Fitzgerald, Gabe Medina, Aria and Octavia DeMarco and Camren Carson.

His Funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 24 at 10:30 AM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 23 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Philip C. Spencer – age 75, of North Reading and formerly of Woburn, passed away peacefully at VA Hospice in Bedford on August 17, 2023.

Born January 15, 1948 in Woburn, MA, Phil was the son of the late Celeste (Dickie) and Robert H. Spencer.

Phil is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Peg (Mullaney) Spencer, 4 children; Charlotte, Shaun (Deb), Michael (Jenn) and Ryan (Christine); 4 grandchildren, Sam, Sarah, Claire and Kelly; his brother, Robert and sisters, Celeste, Dorothy, Cathy and Chris.

Phil served his country in the Army and was a Vietnam Veteran, he was a SP5 and served from 1967 to 1970.

Phil worked in the Technology Field for 40 years and has been a resident of North Reading for the past 40 years

Phil loved golfing, travel, antiquing and sports, both watching and playing/coaching.  He loved spending time in the NH mountains, Seacoast of Maine and Disney World with his family. He will be be missed by his family and friends.

Service will be private and under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com