Timothy M. Wood – 50, of North Reading and formerly of Melrose, died unexpectedly at his home on Sunday, April 2, 2023.

Born in Stoneham, MA on September 10, 1972. He was a graduate of the Northeast Metropolitan Vocational School in Wakefield. Tim was an Ironworker and a member of Local 7 Ironworkers.

He was always the life of the party and he loved his family and friends. Tim loved motorcycles, cars and spending time with his grandkids. He has been a resident of North Reading for the past 7 years.

Family members include his loving wife Merrijane (Bourque) Wood; his daughter, Robin Modugno and her husband David; his parents, Larry and Jean M. (Doucette) Wood; his sister, Laura Queenan and her husband Pat; two grandchildren, Anthony and Arianna Modugno.

Visitation will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Thursday, April 13 from 9:00 to 11:00 AM, followed by a prayer service at 11:00 AM. Interment will be held in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Clara “Betty” (LaVigne) Reppucci, formerly of North Reading and Falmouth, Massachusetts, passed away on March 16, 2023. She was born to Lyman and Bertha LaVigne of Chazy, New York, and is survived by her children, Judith Reppucci of Cotuit, Claire Reppucci of Wakefield, Cathy and Alan Croswell of Palm Coast, FL, Stephen and Margaret Reppucci of Newbury, Paul and Sarah Reppucci of Falmouth, and Susan Reppucci and Mike Boussy of Dover. Her grandchildren include Christopher Croswell, Matthew Croswell, Michael Reppucci, Andrew Croswell, Amanda Pisano, David Reppucci, Rachael Alionheart, Leah Reppucci, Madelyn Reppucci, Sadie Reppucci, Justina Reppucci, Luciano Boussy and Mirabella Boussy. Her great-grandchildren include Connor Croswell, Sarah Croswell and newborn Roman Pisano.

Betty’s family moved from New York to Massachusetts at the start of WWII, when her father obtained work at the Charlestown Shipyard. A tall slip of a young woman, she graduated from Cheverus Catholic High School in Malden, and held various secretarial positions in the Boston area, including at the shipyard.

She met her brother Jerry’s friend, Giustino (Chet) Reppucci, a handsome veteran attending UMass Amherst for electrical engineering, and after his visits to see her, the young couple would often ride the train together into Worcester before Betty returned to Boston. They married in 1953 and raised six children on a wooded homestead in North Reading before retiring to Falmouth, where they’d walk around Jenkin’s Pond every morning, often hand in hand and saying the rosary. They were active parishioners at Christ the King in Mashpee and devoted volunteers with the church’s St. Vincent de Paul Society. Betty was an energetic and vivacious presence who loved nothing more than taking care of others. She especially enjoyed cooking for family and friends, and fellow volunteers fondly remember her treats of pizza, calzoni and baked goods. Always upbeat, she delighted in keeping her family, care attendants and fellow residents at Atria entertained with cheerfully off-key renditions of songs from her youth.

Betty enjoyed a full and happy life and often told her family, “Don’t cry for me when I die. Have a party and enjoy yourselves.” On Friday, May 5, her family will greet attendees at Christ the King Church in Mashpee prior to the funeral mass at 11:00 a.m., which will be followed by a collation in the church hall. The following day, Saturday, May 6, visitation will be held at Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street,  North Reading, from 10 a.m.  to 11:30 a.m., followed by a private burial. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

James M. Keefe – 66, of Reading passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Friday, March 24, 2023.

The son of the late Frederick and Eleanor (Smith) Keefe, Jim was born in Winchester and lived in Reading his entire life. He was a graduate of Reading Memorial High School.  Jim was a veteran of the United States Marines.

Jim was an avid sports fan. He loved all New England sports teams.

He will be missed by everyone that knew and loved him.

Jim is survived by his wife, Priscilla (Kitty), his siblings Nancy Booth (Jamie) and Susan Pearsons. He’s also survived by his nieces Jennifer Griffiths (Rich) and Angela Pearsons and his nephew Bradd Pearsons. He also leaves great nieces, great nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and in-laws.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 1st at Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation In Jim’s memory to American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023. Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Gerard  C.  Hery – 66, of Danvers, formerly of Wilmington and North Reading, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Monday, March 20, 2023. He was the beloved husband of the late Therese A. (Steeves) Hery.

Born in Everett, MA on January 7, 1957, he was the was the son of the late Louis R. and Marjorie F. (Shine) Hery. He was raised in Everett and was a graduate of Everett High School, Class of 1976. He has been a resident of Danvers for the past three years.

Gerard was an avid carpenter who built many beautiful homes in his lifetime.  He took pride in his work and every detail mattered.

He was the life of the party and known for his DIY attire. He was a loving father and grandfather “Grampy”. Gerard spent his summers at his family cottage on Ossipee Lake (HHH).

Family members include his loving daughters, Margo and her husband John Rensink of Wilmington, Marianne and her husband John Camire of Danvers and Gillian and her husband Ryan Sullivan of Bedford, NH; Gerard is survived by seven siblings, four brothers, Lou, Bill, Paul and Peter and three sisters, Marie, Margie and Michelle. He was predeceased by his brother Fran, whom he worked very close with for many years; six grandchildren, Ella, Camden, Mila, Maci, Shaylyn and Gavin. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 23 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. His Funeral will be on Friday, March 24 at 10:30 AM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Followed by a Luncheon at Kitty’s Restaurant in North Reading. He will be laid to rest with his late wife at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett at a later date.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Pan Mass Challenge donate.pmc.org/MC0825, in support of his daughter, Marianne Camire, raising money for cancer awareness.

On Friday, March 3, 2023, Roberta Jean Covert (Heintz) of North Andover, formerly of North Reading, beloved wife, mother, and Mimi passed away unexpectedly at her home. She was seventy years old. Born on September 28, 1952 in Sanger, California to the late Dorothy J. Heintz (Boyce) and Fred E. Heintz. Roberta or Robbie as most called her, graduated from Burlington High School in 1970.

She was a former bank teller, stay-at-home mother, and medical biller for countless years before her retirement in 2020. She was an avid reader and loved watching all sports, mostly the Bruins, Patriots and Red Sox. Her favorite thing above all was spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Robert J. Covert. They were high school sweethearts and have been together for 53 years, marrying in 1974. Family members include her son, Robert J. Covert Jr. of Andover and his partner Heather Nutter (Wood) and their children Cameron and Chloe. As well as her daughter, Danielle Callahan (Covert) of North Andover and her husband Michael J. Callahan and their children, Emily and Jack. She is also survived by her two loving brothers, Fred Heintz and his wife Janice of Chester, NH and Clark Heintz and his wife Jennifer of Bow, NH. She was also the aunt to many nieces and nephews.

A private gathering and celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Kristin M. Callahan Foundation (www.kristincallahan.org). Arrangements are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com