Salvatore F. “Poochy” Freda – 77, of Reading, passed away on Friday, March 1, 2024 at the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington.

Born in Somerville, MA on October 26, 1946. He was the son of the late Joseph and Alexandria R. “Nikki” (LoPresti) Freda. He was a lifelong resident of Reading and a graduate of Reading Memorial High School, Class of 1964. He later attended Berklee College of Music. He was a retired self employed Music Teacher, he taught guitar, piano and voice lessons.

Poochy always walked around with a big smile, whistling and singing. He was kind hearted to everyone. He always wanted to have fun and he loved music! He used to build all different structures for his kids, nieces and nephews to play in the yard on like a small rollercoaster, treehouse, a swing with a giant platform to jump off. He even built his daughter a human size doll house for herself. He loved spending time with family and especially his grandson.

Poochy was a lifelong tennis player, he was a Regional Doubles Champ in the 80’s. He enjoyed guitar, singing, piano, basketball, soccer, carpentry and had a passion for food and cooking. He also loved the casino and always kept busy.

Family members include his loving daughter, Heidi Freda and his son, Erik Freda; his grandson, Jordan S. Washington-Freda; his brothers, Joseph Freda, Jr. and James Freda; his sisters, Ines Height and the late Deborah DeFeudis.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 12 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to the National Alliance on Mental Illness or to the American Heart Association.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Rudolph A. Perron, Jr, – 68, of Hampstead, NH and formerly of Andover, passed away at his home on Saturday, February 24, 2024, after a lengthy illness.

Born in Methuen, MA on June 16, 1955. He was the son of the late Rudolph A. Perron, Sr., and Beverly (Marden) Perron. He was raised in Andover and was a graduate of Andover High School, Class of 1973. He has been a resident of Hampstead, NH for the past 22 years.

Roddy worked for Kendrick & Hall HVAC out of high school, then joined the Town of Andover Department of Public Works as a Heavy Equipment Operator for 38 years. He also spent time working for O’Hagen Trees part time.

Roddy loved his family and had a sense of humor like no other. His facial expression said it all, his forever nickname was “Face”.  And all his friends were “Al”.

Roddy was a triplet, with his sisters Randi and Ronda. When they were young, their dad would take them skiing every winter to Haystack, VT, Bolton Valley, VT and the Lodge at Granny Grunts, VT. In the 80’s he did Banding of the Birds for the Birds of Prey.

Roddy enjoyed skiing, his most memorable trip with his dad was to Alta, Utah in the early 90’s. He excelled at golf, darts, disc golf and card games Hearts and 45’s. He enjoyed trips to “Little Island Pond” swimming and ice boating with his family when he was young. He was the life of all the parties. He loved his Budweisers and hot wings!

Family members include his loving wife, Eileen (Capillo) Perron; sons, Colton R. Perron and his fiancé Jennifer Jordan, Rudolph “Rudy” A. Perron, III and his long-time girlfriend Mia Cotroneo and was predeceased by his son, Chandler J. Perron; his brother, David Perron and his wife Dede; his sisters, Ronda McKible and her husband Gary, Randi Dudley and her husband Ray and Janna Perron. He also leaves behind many loving brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

His Funeral will be held on Saturday, March 2 at 1:00 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Calling hours will be held prior to the service from 11:00 AM to 12:50 PM. Casual attire.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to Amedisys Hospice Bedford, 8 Commerce Drive, Suite 101, Bedford, NH 03110.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Alexander J. Melanson – 72, of North Reading and formerly of Lynn, passed away on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, surrounded by his wife and children.

Born in Lynn, MA on October 12, 1951, he was the son of the late Lester and Nellie (Galatis) Melanson.

He was raised in Lynn and was a graduate of Lynn Vocational Technical Institute and Boston University, where he received his Associates Degree in Engineering. He was the President of North Atlantic Refrigeration for 40 years.

Al has been a resident of North Reading for the past 49 years. He was a member of St. Theresa’s Church and IIAR. He was also a member of the U.S. Army Reserves from 1970 to 1975.

He was selfless, kind, generous and gentle. He was a wonderful and loving husband, father and grandfather. Al was hard working, resourceful, honest, was referred to as the “gentleman”, always prepared, successful and was always learning.

Al was an avid newspaper reader, he enjoyed watching sports, fishing, loved the outdoors, gardening, organizing, he loved sci-fi movies and shows.

He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Rosemary (Ginivan) Melanson. Devoted father to his son, Michael Melanson of North Reading, daughter Erin Federico of Pembroke and her husband Jason. Loving Grandpa to Camden, Weston, Alexandra, Cara, Siena and Grace. Dear brother to Janet Ray, Peter Melanson, Marie Mancinelli, Carol Landry and the late Lester Melanson;

Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 24 from 9:30 to 11:00 AM, followed by a 11:00 AM Funeral Service at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Elisabeth “Bette” (Merriman/Grant) Correlle – of Gilmanton, NH, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 7, 2024, her 92^nd birthday at Peabody Place in Franklin NH.  Bette was born in North Reading, Massachusetts the daughter of Harry and Hildred (Eisenhaure) Merriman.  She lived on the Eisenhaure Farm where they operated both the local school buses as well as grew hot house tomatoes that they sold to Boston restaurants. She graduated from Reading High School in the Class of 1949 and then went on to Framingham Teachers College and Andover Junior College.  She married and raised three children with her late husband Richard Grant in the neighboring town of Andover, Massachusetts.

Bette then married the late Bernard Correlle and moved south to be part of the endless summer sunshine of Kissimmee, Florida where they lived and worked for many years.  At 60, she attended the University of Central Florida where she received an adult education teaching degree.  She taught many to be safe school bus drivers for the Osceola School District Transportation Center where she then retired.  In retirement, they both loved being snowbirds by following the sun from North to South, back and forth. They made many, many good friends along the way each year.  They eventually decided to stay permanently in the North to be close to family in Massachusetts and New Hampshire area.

At her home on “The Hill”, Bette with her friend Cliff enjoyed tending the vegetable garden and the many different varieties of flowers growing on her porch with a beautiful mountain view.  She loved to feed and watch the wild birds and the deer that visited, reading the Parade section of the Sunday newspaper, completing word searches and putting together jigsaw puzzles.

Last year, Bette moved into a lovely, assisted living apartment at Peabody Place in Franklin NH.  She met lots of new friends; Ed thank you for your patience and guidance, Sophie for your social fun gathering skills, Betsy for your smiles and Terri for your daily “Hello Bette” and your get-well cards.  She loved playing and winning at BINGO and received the best of care from the whole staff; Nurses, LNA’s, everyone: reception desk staff to maintenance crew.  They all knew at mealtime, she wanted her soup first with the appropriate spoon, her special coffee cup and a big dish (or two) of classic vanilla ice cream for dessert!  Thank you to all on the 2^nd floor and to everyone at Peabody Place.

Bette is survived by her children, daughters Catherine Raulick and Sandra Grant and her son Peter Grant and their spouses.  Bette also leaves Bernie’s children; Bernadette, Sandra, Leona, Patricia, Mary, Anne Marie and Paul as well their combined families full with many Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.   In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her brother Richard Merriman.

A celebration of Bette’s life will be held on Monday, March 18 at 11:00 AM to Noon, followed by a service at Noon at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Immediately followed by a graveside interment at Riverside Cemetery in North Reading, alongside her late husband Bernie Correlle.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made in her name to the Sunshine Activity fund for The Peabody Place Assisted Living residents in Franklin NH.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Judith A. McMenimen, November 16, 1953 – February 6, 2024

Judy, of North Reading, MA, passed away on February 6, surrounded by her family. The daughter of the late William and Mary. Truly a generous soul, Judy hosted family and friends at her home on East Sandwich Beach for many years. Her family will always cherish the memories made there on the beach.

Judy is survived by her sisters Susan Beaumont (late Reginald), Peggy Sousa (George), Jeanne McMenimen (Ray Aguliar), Pammy Johnston (Dave), and brothers Billy McMenimen (Debbie) and Jimmy McMenimen.

Loving aunt of William, Joseph, and Michael Bowman; Jacqueline, Matthew, and Benjamin Sousa; Kelly Wu, Amy Barrett (Michael), Katie Burbine, and Joshua Johnston. Her cherished 27 great-nieces and nephews and 1 great-great niece also survive her.

The family will hold a private dedication and burial.