David  H.  Wilson – 62, lifelong resident of North Reading, died of COVID on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 with his wife of nearly 40 years by his side.

He was born in Winchester, MA on June 19, 1958 to the late Rodger and Clara Wilson of North Reading, MA. He was raised in the house his father built and graduated from North Reading High School in 1976. While David worked in the automotive business most of his years, he was a jack-of-all-trades who could quite literally fix anything.

David liked to be in the background and tried to tell everyone he met that he was a grumpy, old man. But beneath what he thought was a tough exterior was the most generous and loving man. He was a true servant and lived his life to serve God and others, extending beyond his wife and 12 children. He became Papa Wilson to countless, taking them into his home and including them in the many Wilson events. No matter the time of day or how tired he might be, he never hesitated to give of his time, money, skills, and love to anyone who needed it – even strangers he might never see again. In addition to his typical acts of generosity, such as getting under a hood of car in a suit and tie or taking his vacation time to help a friend or church put a roof on their house, he also volunteered his time and van to transport people to his church from various nursing homes and homeless shelters in Boston. He occasionally ran the kitchen for a homeless food service in Haverhill and for years met with guys in local prisons to encourage them and give them hope.

His family was everything to him, especially the love of his life, “Mrs. Wilson” as he affectionately called her. He loved to spoil her however he could and would delight and embarrass his kids by often and randomly pulling her into a dance in their tiny kitchen. He poured his heart and knowledge into his family and taught his kids to love God and each other and, in no uncertain terms, respect and love their mama. He taught them how to work on their own houses and cars. His favorite times were when all his family was together, taking cross-country road trips or a spontaneous day trip to his favorite spot in the White Mountains of NH when his kids were younger, or pool parties and bonfires in the backyard in later years.

He was Grampy – or “Bumpy” – to 18 grandchildren who broke through his attempted grumpy, outside shell and exposed the gentle bear that he was. He went to their ball games, watched their movies, read them books, and toted them around while he was working on a project.

He was a simple man who dreamed big. He loved wide open spaces and dreamed of buying a big RV and exploring the US with his family. He loved to go to the Elks or The Dog and play pool with his daughters or sons or really, anyone who would play with him. He loved to tell dad jokes and would talk to anyone who would listen.

He will be missed greatly by his loving wife of 39 years, Lyn Wilson, his 12 children; Elizabeth (Wilson) Evans and her husband, Greg Evans; Jared Wilson and his five children, Isaiah, Luke, Zachery, Natalia, and GraceLyn; Joshua Wilson, his wife Alicia and their daughter Adalina; Andrew Wilson, his partner Mel Hartrey and their six children, Alexandra Hartrey, Andrew Jr, Chrystopher, Alexis, Haley, and Savannah; Patricia (Wilson) Marchese, her husband Chris Marchese and their four children, Emily, Timothy, Rosalie, and Jonathan; Timothy Wilson, his wife Alexis Street and their son Christian; Daniel Wilson and his son Jackson; Jonathan Wilson; Carolyn Wilson and her partner Rob Leaster; Caleb Wilson, his wife Anna and their daughter Sophie; Nathanael Wilson; and Hannah Wilson, his mother-in-law Margaret Hardy; and his brother-in-law and best friend, Steven Michael Hardy. He also is survived by his three brothers, Gary Wilson and his late wife Gail; Franklin Wilson and his wife Ruth; and Rodger Wilson and his wife Diane. He also leaves behind many aunts, uncles, sisters and brother-in-laws, nieces, nephews, and countless friends and “children” who call him Papa Wilson. He is pre-deceased by his parents Rodger and Clara Wilson and his father-in-law Noel Hardy.

A celebration of his life will be held at Trinity Evangelical Church,105 Haverhill Street, North Reading, MA on Saturday, June 5 at 2PM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you would honor David by donating to a cause of your choosing.  Till we see you again… RIP David, “hun”, Dad, Grampy, Bumpy, Mr. or Papa Wilson.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Richard E. “Dick” Hoyt, Sr. – 80, of Holland, MA and formerly of North Reading, MA, died unexpectedly at his home on Wednesday, March 17, 2021.

Born in Winchester, MA on June 1, 1940, he was the son of the late Alfred G., Sr. and Anna M. (Jaworski) Hoyt. He was raised and attended school in North Reading and was a graduate of North Reading High School.

Dick served for 35 years in the Air National Guard and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.

He was one half of Team Hoyt. Dick was well known for his many marathons, he raced with his son Rick, pushing him in his wheelchair in over 1,100 races. Dick and Rick were the first duo to complete the Boston Marathon, which they completed an amazing 32 times. They were also the first duo to complete the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii in 1988. Dick and Rick biked and ran across America covering 3,735 miles 45 consecutive days in 1992.

Family members include his loving sons, Rick Hoyt of Leicester, Rob Hoyt and his wife Zaida of Holyoke and Russ Hoyt and his wife Lisa of Billerica. He was predeceased by his former wife and mother of his three sons, Judith (Leighton) Hoyt; brothers, Phillip Hoyt, Herbie Hoyt and Jason Hoyt, he was predeceased by his brother Alfred G. Hoyt, Jr. ; sisters, Arlene Lumb- Garlington, Alice Sweeney, Barbara Enos, Ruth Ross and Kathy Cartwright; grandchildren, Cassie, Jayme, Cam, Ryan and Troy; great grandson, Parker. Also survived by many nieces and nephews and his long time companion Kathy Boyer of Holland.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, services will be held private. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to: The Hoyt Foundation at: http://wwhttp://www.teamhoyt.com/The-Hoyt-Foundation.htmlw.teamhoyt.com/The-Hoyt-Foundation.html

Arrangements are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Ronald A. Silva – 82, of Fremont, NH, formerly of Kingston, NH and North Reading, died Sunday, February 28, 2021 at Exeter Hospital. He was the beloved husband of the late Margaret A. (Kneeland) Silva.

Born in Cambridge, MA on October 11, 1938, he was the son of the late Domingos and Marion E. (Brown) Silva. Ron was raised and attended school in North Reading. He later served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves.

Ron worked for many years as a metal machinist for United Machine and Tool in Brentwood, he was a former welder for A.O. Wilson Structural Steel in Cambridge and at one time had owned a donut shop in North Reading.

Ron was a devoted brother, friend and husband. A very caring and generous person. If a family member or friend needed help, whether it was helping doing a job or with money matters, Ron would be there to lend a hand. He didn’t boast about doing things for others, but did it out of kindness and caring. Ron always looked at life in a hopeful way. He didn’t look back and was never bitter about the past. Ron just took the simple things in life and enjoyed each day as the best he could. He was a devoted husband to his late wife Maggie who depended on him for her care. They took rides every day, most to the beach, where they would sit and enjoy the view and stop along the way for lunch. Ron also loved to fish. In the past, he had owned his own Lobster boat.

Ron truly loved playing his guitar and would sometimes bring it with him to entertain us when he visited. He and Maggie with their friends looked forward to the outdoor concerts in Hampton every summer. He was helpful in a lot of ways, whether it was an electrical or vehicle issue.

Family members include his loving sister, Florence Forbes of Fremont, NH; sister-in-law, Jacqueline Silva of Derry, NH; brother-in-law, Doug Lipert of Northborough and many nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Gerald Brown, Rosalind Arsenault, Dominic and Victor Silva and Marianne Lipert.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 6 from 10 to 11:45 AM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading, followed by a funeral service at noon. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

William  J.  Wilson, Jr. – 43, of Everett and formerly of North Reading, died unexpectedly at his home on Friday, February 19, 2021.

He was born in Boston, MA on November 14, 1977. He was raised and attended school in North Reading and was a graduate of North Reading High School.

He worked as a self-employed painter. Bill always said, the best things he had in life were his children and family. He enjoyed bike riding, drawing, fishing, he loved his body art and music.

Family members include his loving children, William and Lila; his parents, William J., Sr. and Juanna G. (Garcia) Wilson; his sisters, Carrie Ann Wilson-Long, Juanna C. Wilson-Prochilo and Jamie M. Wilson-Henderson; also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Thursday, February 25 from 4 to 8 PM. There will be no funeral service. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Robert “Bob” Greenwood – 67, of Medford, passed Sunday, February 14, 2021, after a brief illness. Born on May 25, 1953, he was the eldest son of the late Richard and Zoa Smith (Greenwood) of Medford, MA.

He was a long time member of the Knights of Columbus and Medford Police Auxiliary. Bob was a man with a big heart who would selflessly put everyone else’s needs above his own. He was well known for his sense of humor and lighting up a room, his kindness in treating everyone he knew like family and his unlimited generosity to those he loved. He was a true gentleman who wore a full suit to every family gathering. Nothing meant more to Bob than his family and friends that have surrounded him throughout his life.

He was a caring husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. Family members include his loving wife of 44 years, (late) Leona Greenwood, their son, Robert and Diana Greenwood; daughter, Nancy and Bill Newhall; grandchildren, Kyle, Jarryd, Caitlyn and Madisyn; brothers, (late) Ralph Smith and Rick and Luann Smith; sister, (late) Ruth Smith; in-laws, (late) Charlie, Eddie, Johnny and Laura, Terry and Kim Lanteigne, Priscilla (Kitty) Lanteigne and Jimmy Keefe, Betty and Bob Geist, Mary and John Putis. Bob also leaves behind many nephews, nieces and grandnephews and grandnieces.

Visitation will be held at Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 from 4-8 PM. Funeral services will begin at Croswell Funeral Home on Wednesday, February 24, 2021, at 10:30 AM and will conclude at Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com