Rufina “Ruby” (Bautista) Batchelder – 94, of North Reading, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family on Friday, August 12, 2022. She was the beloved wife of the late Donald Batchelder.

Born in Pasay City, Philippines on February 28, 1928. She was the daughter of the late Aurelio and Corazon (Salvador) Bautista.

Ruby worked as a seamstress and a dress maker for many years. She was a dedicated and loving mother of seven children.

Rufina ”Ruby” Batchelder will always be remembered as a feisty, tenacious, strong woman about the  town. Raising 5 sons and 2 daughters in the Philippines and uprooting them to the US was no easy feat. A talented dressmaker Ruby quickly became the “go-to” person if you needed a wedding gown, prom gown, Sunday dress made or just an alteration.

Managing and feeding 9 people was a daily challenge. However, Ruby always welcomed anyone who needed a meal or a place to live .

Ruby loved parties and dressing up. Using any excuse to celebrate on Riverside Drive sometimes inviting as many as 100 people. She was an amazing cook. She is responsible for introducing flipino cuisine to many and is known for her “Pansit.”

Ruby also loved traveling. She proudly displayed her US and world map of her many travels such as; her memorable trip to Cuba with her late husband, her many trips to East Asia and annual winter drives by herself to Las Vegas.

Ruby could never keep still. She would often take trips to Boston just to take an aerobics class with her daughter Jacqueline . Travel to many dance performances by her daughter Claire. Watch her 3 older sons play in a band.  Cheer on her two younger sons at sporting events. She always made time to visit all her grandchildren wherever they may be.  Ruby never missed Sunday Mass and get togethers at the senior community center with her friends.

If you ask anybody to describe Ruby in one word, it would be “tough!” Ruby is the O.G. Warrior! We should all live life like Ruby.

Family members include her seven loving children, Geoffrey, Christopher, Stephen, Claire, Lothar, Jacqueline and Daniel; 20 grandchildren, Sean, Corey, Ian, Julie, David, Sophia, Jevon, Patricia, Donald, Christopher, Gabriel, Lothan, Isaac, Dylan, Calieh, Isabella, Selena, Marcella, Roman and Graciela and 15 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 16 from 4 to 7 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Followed by a brief service at 6:50 PM. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923, www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Daniel “Farmbo”  Leach – 64, of West Palm Beach, Florida and formerly of North Reading, died on June 21, 2022.

Born in Lynn, MA on February 9, 1958. He was the son of the late Frank H. and Margaret D. Leach. He was raised and attended school in North Reading and was a graduate North Reading High School, Class of 1976.

Dan was a mechanic and a Drummer. He has been a resident of Florida for the past 31 years. He was a member of the Treasure Coast Blues Alliance.

He was a talented Blues drummer, who played for the Back Alley Band, Delta Rockers, Lois Lane and Matt Murray, throughout New England. He then played in Florida for House Shakers, Shaun Rounds, and Low Down 13. His highlight was a U.S. tour with Blues greats Lucky Peterson and Ernie Lancaster.

Dan owned and liked Harley Davidsons. He played hockey and was a member of the 1972 Red Sox Pony League Champs.

Family members include his loving son, Joseph Leach; his brother, James Leach of Jupiter, Florida; sisters, Debra DeFranzo and Diane Green; he was the brother of the late Nancy Brooking and Rick Leach.

Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading on Wednesday, September 21 at 11:30 AM. Following a funeral Mass for his mother at 10:30 AM. Arrangements are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfunerarlhome.com

Sabatino (Dino) Fusco –  65, of North Reading, formerly of Prezza, Italy and Medford died at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital in Oak Bluffs, MA on Saturday, August 6, 2022.

Born in Prezza, Abruzzo (Province of L’Aquila), Italy on February 16, 1957. He was the son of the late Antonio and Concetta (Navarroli) Fusco. He was raised in Medford and was a graduate of Medford Vocational High School – Electrical Program. Dino worked previously at MITRE Corporation, Teradyne, Inc., Brandeis University and currently as an Electrician for MIT Lincoln Laboratory for 20 years. He was known to his co-workers at MIT as the “Daddy of Electricians” and was extremely proud of his profession. Dino’s world centered around his wife and three children. He went above and beyond for his family, friends, neighbors and co-workers and was always there to lend a helping hand. Dino enjoyed his cups of coffee with his wife every morning as well as nightly Espresso and also enjoyed reading and relaxing in the sun whenever he could.

Dino was the king of making his famous pizza, calzones, homemade pasta and pies and happily shared with all. Dino was passionate about making homemade red wine every Fall; it was his favorite holiday tradition to give the finished product to his family and friends.

Family members include his loving wife of 38 years, Ernestine (Corea) Fusco; his son, Alexandro (Alex) Fusco and his wife Kristi of Kennebunk, ME; daughters, Ariana Fusco of Malden and Kristina Fusco of Hermosa, Beach, CA; his brother, Peter Fusco of San Diego, CA and his sister, Claire Penta of Medford, MA; one grandson, Leonardo (Leo) Fusco and many nieces and nephews.    

His Funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Monday, August 15 at 8:45 AM, followed by a 10:00 AM Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street, North Reading. Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 14 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215. www.croswellfuneralhome.com 

John  J. Orben – 94, of Stoneham and formerly of Wakefield and North Reading, died Wednesday, August 3, 2022 at Life Care Center Nursing in Stoneham. He was the loving husband of 69 years to the late Mildred G. (Deveau) Orben, who died this past January.

Born in Andover, MA on June 19, 1928, he was the son of the late Lilley and Mary L. (Henault) Orben. He was raised in North Reading and attended North Reading Public Schools. John was a U.S. Korean War Veteran, he was a SFC and he served from 1952 to 1955.

John worked for Evans Shoe in Wakefield, he later worked for the Town of North Reading Public Works for almost 40 years as the Highway Supervisor. He retired in 1992.

He enjoyed playing cards and bingo. He loved taking long rides along the countryside stopping for a bite to eat with his wife Millie. They both enjoyed going to the North Reading Senior Center for many years, where John called bingo and he drove the Senior van.

John is survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Graveside service will be held in Forest Glade Cemetery in Wakefield on Tuesday, August 16 at 10:30 AM. There will be no calling hours. Arrangements are under the direction of 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

David M. Lopilato – 63, of North Reading, died unexpectedly on Monday, August 1, 2022.

Born in East Boston, MA on July 9, 1959. He was the son of the late Michael and Helen (Waydaka) Lopilato. David was a graduate of North Reading High School, Class of 1977 and studied engineering at the University of Lowell.

David was self-employed as an IT Professional over his forty-year career, where he led design and technology teams for some of the largest and well known financial and health institutions.

He was known to many and a friend to all, he loved people and loved to engage them in conversation. A funny, charming and gregarious man who was quick with a joke or a goofy expression. He loved to make people laugh or astound friends with his magic tricks.  David was a natural athlete who was an avid and exceptional skier, golfer and race car driver.  Above all, he was a loving dad who never tired of watching, supporting, bragging over and loving his two children. David was never happier than he was when coaching his kids on the ice and the field, watching his son play hockey and his daughter dance on stage.

Family members include his wife Michelle (Mounsey) Lopilato; his son Nicholas “Cole” Lopilato; his daughter Alexandra “Lexi” Lopilato; his brothers Michael and Mark Lopilato and his aunt Frankie Kamlot of Lynnfield.

His visitation will be held on Sunday, August 7 from 4 to 7 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street, North Reading on Monday, August 8 at 1030 AM. Everyone is asked to go directly to the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com