Robert (Bob) Mascola – of North Reading, age 88, beloved husband of Jean Mascola, passed away in his sleep on January 17, 2023.

Bob was raised in New Haven Connecticut by his parents John and Mary Mascola and doted on by his four adoring sisters. His mother lovingly referred to him as “my son, my son”.

As a teenager, Bob worked at his father’s barbershop every day after school and was able to quickly learn how to cut the latest hairstyles earning him considerable tips every week and being considered “well off” by his high school friends standards.

Bob graduated from East Haven High School and Fairfield University. He was nicknamed “Doc” as he had planned on becoming a doctor. He soon realized that medicine was not his calling and pursued his education in science and theology. After graduation, he was offered a position with Avco Corporation and moved to Massachusetts and had a long and successful career as principal scientist specializing in thermodynamics at Textron Defense Systems (formally Avco Corp) for over 38 years. He worked on the Apollo Space Program, consulted for Lincoln Labs and was a winner of the Independent Research and Development (IRAD) Program as well as the Excalibur Award for outstanding performance.

Bob was an extremely intelligent and compassionate man, who was happiest when spending time with family and friends. Bob was an avid reader who owned and read over one hundred religious books, including reading the bible from cover to cover 3 times.  He enjoyed spending hours working in his yard, meeting up with family members at Kitty’s restaurant and going out to the “99” on Friday nights with Jean. Most days he could be found at The Union Congregational Church in North Reading doing whatever needed to be painted, hung up, washed or moved.  Bob considered his church his second home and participated with his church family by regularly being at Sunday worship and serving on several ministries including House, Care, Lobster luncheon team, rummage sale, Frosty’s Fair and Associate Pastor Exploration Committee. Bob traveled several times out of state with youth group members to assist with rebuilding homes. He enjoyed several spiritual retreats to Weston Priory in VT.

He also volunteered as Warden at Precinct #3 during elections in North Reading and Big Brother Big Sister of Greater Lawrence.

Bob will be dearly missed by his wife of 29 years Jean (DiFraia) Mascola of North Reading, His son John Mascola and his wife Lucy, son Michael Mascola, daughter Maria Mascola and husband Jim Donahue , son Robert Mascola and his wife Beth. Bob also had step-children who considered him family from day one. Kathy DiFraia and her wife Kathy Brunelle, David DiFraia and Kris Bellino and her husband John. Bob also leaves behind his former daughter in law Nancy Morneault and her husband Claude and his former wife Mary Mascola.

He will also be missed by many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Paul Mascola, Madeline Mascola, Andrew Mascola and his wife Allison, Jessica Szulaks and husband Jake, Brian Mascola and his wife Rachel. Sam Donahue, Ben Donahue, Adam Donahue, Daniel Mascola, Ariana Mascola. Nicholas Bellino, Sophia DiFraia, Vincent DiFraia and Leo DiFraia. Great grandchildren Rielyn, Aubrey, Kinley and Colton Mascola. Bob’s two beloved sisters, Laurie Esposito and Gail Gaffney.

A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at the Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill St, North Reading at 11am on Tuesday, January 31. The service will also be live-streamed on the church’s You Tube channel, NRUCC. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Bob’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) or The Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill St., North Reading, MA 01864 for major repair fund.(https://www.nrucc.org).  To leave an online condolence please visit: www.croswellfuneralhome.com

A luncheon will be served after the service. Come and share your memories of Bob and to say your goodbyes. Arrangements are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading.

Columbia “Millie” Lytle – 96, of North Reading, passed away at her home on January 20, 2023. She was the beloved wife of the late Robert B. Lytle.

Born in Everett, MA on March 31, 1926. She was the daughter of the late Francesco and Stephanina (Napolitano) Vetrano. She was raised and attended school in Everett and was a graduate of Everett High School. She attended Mass School of Art and Wilfred Academy.

Millie was a U.S. Navy Korean War Veteran, she was a Dental Technician and served from 1950 to 1953. After the war she worked as a self employed hairdresser and a school bus driver for many years for the North Reading Public Schools.

Millie has been a resident of North Reading for the past 61 years. She was a member of the North Reading Senior Center. She was also an active member of St. Theresa’s Church, where taught CCD and was a member of the Legion of Mary.

She was a selfless woman, who put herself last and everyone first. Family was the most important thing she instilled in all her children and grandchildren. She was always there if you needed her no matter the time of day.

Family members include her loving sons, Bobby Lytle and his wife Donna, Michael Lytle, Stephen Lytle and his wife Sandy and Richard Lytle and his wife Lori; her loving daughter AnnMarie Heckman and her husband Jimmy; 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Her Funeral Mass will be Celebrated on Thursday, January 26 at 10:30 AM, at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street, North Reading. Visitation will be held prior to the Funeral from 9 to 10:00 AM only at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Interment will be in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverly Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452, www.alz.org        croswellfuneralhome.com

Ruth E. (Hall) Welch – 89 of North Reading, MA passed peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family and friends, Thursday, January 19, 2023.

Born in Stoneham, MA on July 18, 1933, she was the daughter of the late George W. and Dorothy M. (Pike) Hall.  She was born and raised in Reading, MA before moving to North Reading in 1960 where she resided for the remainder of her life.  Ruth attended Reading schools and was a 1952 graduate of Reading High School and also earned worthy advisor status at Rainbow Girls in Reading, MA.

She worked at the Reading Telephone company as an operator before marrying the love of her life, L. Donald Welch, October 15, 1955.  Ruth and Donald enjoyed 67 years of marriage together.

Ruth enjoyed ceramics, gardening, dancing, horseback riding, spending time at the family cottage on Balch Lake in Maine, and loved all kinds of animals.  She was such a kind and loving person with a heart of gold.  Ruth would welcome everyone into her heart and home with open arms and a big smile with her beautiful blue eyes beaming bright.  She was always up for an adventure, was extremely witty and always liked to have fun.  We will always remember her smile and her laugh.  Most of all, Ruth cherished her entire family and dear friends, especially her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

We are all heartbroken, however, comforted knowing she is now at peace after battling Alzheimers for many years.  Ruth leaves her husband L. Donald Welch of North Reading; son Bradford Welch and wife Cheryl of Salem, NH; daughter Sheila Welch-Miller and husband Don of Townsend, MA; granddaughters Alycia Welch, Arielle Williams, Nicole Welch and partner Benny Guilfu, and Amber Eaton.  Grandsons Stephen Welch, Shane Miller, Bradford Welch and Andrew Welch. Great grandchildren Malyia, Sierra, Kip, and Eliana. Sisters Dorothy M. (Hall) Knowles of Reading, MA and Nancy L. Hall of Lakeworth, FL.  Ruth was predeceased by her son Stephen D. Welch, daughter Darlene R. Welch, and brother George W. Hall Jr.

Ruth’s family will receive visitors at Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading, MA 01864 on Tuesday, January 24 from 4:00 – 7:00 pm. A funeral service will be held at the Trinity Evangelical Church, 105 Haverhill Street, North Reading, MA 01864 on Wednesday, January 25 at 10:00 am. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to Care Dimensions, Suite B102, 75 Sylvan Street, Danvers, MA 01923 or caredimensions.org/donate. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Paul  F. Steed, Jr. – 68, of Billerica and formerly of Chelsea, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. He was the husband of the late Kathleen A. (Burke) Steed.

Born in Chelsea, MA on July 20,1954, he was the son of the late Paul F., Sr. and Theresa Loretta (Crowley) Steed. He was raised in Chelsea, he attended St. Rose School and was a graduate of Chelsea High School. Later he received his LADC License for Alcohol and Drug Counseling. He has been a resident of Billerica for the past five years.

Paul worked for the Pine Street Inn for 34 years. He started as a counselor in the Men’s locker room and became further invested in his work. He served at the Men’s Inn and Holy Family Inn as a full-time Counselor, Guest Service Specialist, and a Shift Supervisor. He also performed similar work helping people while employed at St. Francis House. He mentored dozens of employees and supported thousands of shelter guests in his time at the Inn.

Paul was special for so many reasons. He was the most compassionate and patient man. He lived his life helping the less fortunate. He worked countless hours to make sure others had a safe place to sleep and eat. He also lived his life for his family. He enjoyed seeing his 3 daughters and his 9 grandchildren as often as he could. His best days were spent watching the grandkids having fun.

Paul enjoyed golfing, going to a Red Sox game, watching the Patriots from his recliner, and going to see a good movie. Whenever you saw Paul, he was wearing some type of Boston sports gear. He was an avid sports guy! He enjoyed taking his grandkids to the zoo, the farm, bowling, to the movies and to the park. He was happy as long as everyone else around him was too.

Paul was the most laid back “one day at a time” kind of guy, and his patience and grace for the chaotic world around him was a strength. This is what made him a perfect fit for his job and role as a Pa to his grandkids.

Family members include his loving daughters, Kelly (Steed) DeSousa, Paula (Steed) Dwire and her husband Jesse and Lisa (Steed) Levine and her husband Joel; sisters, Ann Marie (Steed) Scott and her husband Warren and Mary Ann (Steed) Williams; niece, Lianne Martin and nephews, Dennis and Michael Williams; grandchildren, Ashley, Lucia and Noah DeSousa; Addison, Jack and Luke Dwire and Max, Jace and Zoey Levine.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 27 from 3:00 to 5:45 PM, followed by a Memorial service at 5:45 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to: Pine Street Inn Shelters, 444 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118. https: //pinestreetinn.org/ www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Joyce E. Loud – 92, of Wilmington, Tewksbury and formerly of North Reading for many years, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at Bear Mountain of Andover.

Born in Wakefield, MA on August 25, 1930, she was the daughter of the late George L. and Jessie G. (Flanders) Loud. Joyce was raised in North Reading, she attended the L.D. Batchelder School and was a graduate of Reading Memorial High School.

Joyce worked for many years as a teller for the former Middlesex County Bank and BayBank, she also worked as a receptionist for Dr. Hoyt, all in North Reading. Joyce was a longtime member of the Union Congregational Church and the Eastern Star in North Reading. She also was a member of the Grange in North Reading and Billerica. Joyce enjoyed knitting and various home crafts.

Family members include her loving sister, Peggy L. Surrette; her nephew, Peter Surrette and his wife Jane; her grandnephew, Paul Surrette; her grandniece and Godchild, A.J. Surrette.

Her Funeral will be held on Friday, January 20 at 11:00 AM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, prior to the service. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com