Frank John Merchel Jr. –  86, a 56 year resident of North Reading, MA passed away Sunday, October 11, 2020 surrounded by his loving family. Husband of Emily (Wisniewski) Merchel, with whom he shared 57 years of marriage.

Frank was born in Pawtucket, RI on December 23, 1933 to the late Frank Merchel and Mary Brod, who were both Polish immigrants. He was raised in Pawtucket, RI and a graduate of Pawtucket East High School class of 1952.  A member of the multiple State Championship Varsity Swimming Team under Coach Max Read and Pawtucket Boys Club Swim Team. Award of a full scholarship to North Carolina State University provided means for an advanced education. While member of the NC State Wolfpack Varsity Swim Team he received 300m Medley Relay All-American for 1956 and 100m and 200m Backstroke Men’s ACC Champion for 1958. A 1959 NC State graduate with an B.S. Degree in Park Management and further Turf Management education at University Rhode Island and Massachusetts Amherst.

Practical experience was gained from long term Superintendent Anthony (Tony) Caranci at the Ledgemont Country Club Seekonk, MA. Development of the Thomson Country Club, a vision of noted Golf Course Architect Geoffery Cornish, lured Frank to North Reading, MA in 1962. He supervised course construction and became the courses first Superintendent upon completion of the first nine holes. Frank enjoyed a lengthy career as a Superintendent for local Golf Courses Hillview Country Club, Indian Ridge Country Club and Kirkbrae Country Club Lincoln, RI. He also operated a Landscaping Business.

Frank was predeceased by brothers Marygn, Miczyslaw and sisters Helena, Gana Cole. He is survived by son Frank and his wife Kathy Hutchinson Merchel of Windham, NH, daughter Jennifer and her husband Jamie DiVola of Peabody, MA. Grandchildren Thomas Merchel and partner Rachel Leibowitz, Matthew Merchel, Robert Merchel, Ava DiVola and Vincent DiVola.

His funeral will be held on Friday, October 16 at 10:30 AM at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street (Rt. 62), North Reading. Visitation will be private. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. in lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to https://www.brightfocus.org/research/alzheimers-disease-research-program. Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Mary  Ann  Trabucco  – 74, of North Reading and formerly of Malden, died Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at Oosterman’s Melrose Rest Home.

Born in Stoneham, MA on December 25, 1945. She was the daughter of the late Albert J. and Carmella Louise (Siniscolchi) Trabucco. Mary was a graduate of Salem State College.

She was a teacher for forty years for the Malden Public Schools and has been retired since 2007. Mary was an active member of St. Theresa’s Church in North Reading. She enjoyed reading, decorating, writing, shopping, church and being with her nieces and nephews.

Loving sister of Ann Louise McTeague and her husband John, Nancy Kelleher and her husband John, Albert R.Trabucco and his wife Lisa and the late Paul Trabucco. “Mimi” loved her 11 nieces and nephews and 9 great nieces and great nephews.

Her funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, September 29, at 10:30 AM at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street (Rt. 62), North Reading. Calling hours will be private. Internment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street, North Reading. Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Judith M. (Anderson) Ash – 87, of North Reading, formerly of Lynn and Newton, died Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington.

Born in Boston, MA on July 6, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Walter A. and Elva S. (Ford) Anderson. Judith was raised in Newton and was a graduate of Newton High School, Class of 1951.

She worked as a secretary for Boston University, Service Systems in North Reading and Compugraphic in North Reading. Judith retired from Compugraphic as a Marketing Representative.

She has been a resident of North Reading for the past 61 years. She was a member of the Newcomer’s Club, Girl Scouts, Granite State Wheelmen Bicycle Club and East Coast Sidebanders Radio Club. Judith loved oil painting, rug hooking and knitting.

Family members include her loving husband of 68 years, Howard M. Ash; her son, Russell H. Ash and his wife Karen of Nashua, NH; daughters, Carolyn J. Ash of North Reading and Martha E. Hartery and her husband Owen of Chelmsford; 4 grandchildren, Brian, Laura, Shannon and Colleen; 3 great grandchildren, Alana, Austin and Julian; she was the sister of the late Warren C. Anderson.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Edwin H. Stiles – 89, of Peabody, formerly of North Reading and Malden, died at his home on Sunday September 20, 2020 with his family by his side. Edwin fought a valiant battle against cancer. He was the loving husband of 53 years to the late Norma J. (Sinclair) Stiles.

Born in Melrose, MA on April 10, 1931, He was the sone of the late Hollis E. and E. Marie (Hills) Stiles. Ed was a graduate of Essex Agricultural Technical High School and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Ed was a U.S. Air Force Veteran having served as Captain from 1955 – 1957. He was a member of the 804^th Air Police Squad JAC and was stationed in Morocco and Georgia, USA. He was a member of the Air National Guard from 1957 – 1969.

Ed was a manager for Whittemore Greenhouse from 1956 to 1972. He was Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds, for the North Reading Public School from 1972 until he retired.

Ed was a member of the North Reading Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star, a member of the Senior Echos Choir, North Reading High School Building Committee, the Stiles Family of America and the Brooksby Singers.

He has been a former resident of North Reading, for 53 years, and a resident of Brooksby Village in Peabody for the last 8 years.

Ed was a proud 4^th generation Baker’s Islander, who enjoyed spending time with his family, at the  cottage, or anywhere they happened to be. He always helped whomever he could, especially throughout his masonic career. Ed received the Joseph Warren Nettle Award for meritorious service. He also received the Past Masters 50-year certificate. He enjoyed sailing, boating, helping others, and discussing the days events, with his family, while sitting on the deck.

Family members include his loving sons, James E. Stiles and his wife Cindy and Russell H. Stiles; daughters, Gail K. Morrison and her husband John, Jane M. Colton and her husband Josh, 8 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren; he was predeceased by his sister Ruth M. Buck.

Private Family Funeral services will be held at Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to: Baker’s Island Wharf Co – Pier Project, c/o Treasurer, 19 West Main Street, No 16, Merrimac, MA 01860 www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Gerald  J.  Cronin – 71, of North Reading and formerly of Reading, died on Thursday, September 17, 2020 at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, after a brief illness.

Born in Ayer, MA on June 6, 1949. He was the son of the late W. Robert and Mayrita (Barry) Cronin. He was a graduate of Austin Preparatory School in 1969 and he received his BA in Sociology from Boston College in 1973.

Gerald worked as a Customer Service Agent for Delta Airlines at Logan Airport for 30 years. He was an avid reader and was a great fan of classic old-time radio, television and movies.

He loved to vacation in Maine with his family. He had a kind and generous nature and a great sense of humor. He has been a resident of North Reading for the past three years.

Family members include his loving brothers, Bob Cronin and his wife Elena of North Reading and Barry Cronin and his wife Karen of San Antonio, Texas; sisters, Kristene Adam and her husband Gabriel of Alpharetta, Georgia, Mayrita (aka “Bebe”) O’Neil and her husband Jim of Aurora, Colorado and the late Elizabeth Chinner and her husband Mark of Nova Scotia, CA. Also survived by eight nieces and nephews.

Interment will be held in Bailey Island Maine in the summer of 2021. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Joslin Diabetes Center at www.josiln.org  Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street in North Reading. www.CroswellFuneralHome.com