William B. Birkmaier, Jr. – 79, of Wayland and formerly of Lebanon, NH and North Reading, passed away at his home on Saturday, September 16, 2023.

Bill was born on April 13, 1944. He was the son of the late William B. and Catherine (Witham) Birkmaier. He was raised in North Reading and was a graduate of North Reading High School and the U.S. Naval Academy.  He received his master’s degree in Computer Systems Management from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. Bill retired as a U.S. Navy Captain, while in the role of Chief of the NATO Headquarters Situation Center in Brussels, Belgium.  He served his country for 30 years, and was a Vietnam Veteran.

Bill enjoyed life to the fullest.  Throughout his life, he sought out new experiences and adventures, whether through travel, restaurants, music or art. He instilled in his children an appreciation for other cultures and encouraged them to try new foods, listen to new music and learn new languages.  His navy career allowed Bill, his wife and his children to travel all over the world, and to experience life in places such as Hawaii, Washington State, Germany and Belgium. He valued education and insisted his children learn as much as possible, experience many things, and find joy everywhere. He was well known for his sense of humor.  He especially loved a good “dad joke”.

He had a unique ability to care deeply about others.  He was a proxy dad to many others, and could always be relied upon to provide thoughtful and wise advice.  He had a tremendous capacity for remembering facts. Before the internet existed, one could ask him any question about science, politics or history, and he would know the answer.  He was the best and most loving father, husband and grandfather to his wife, his three children, and his 5 grandchildren.

Bill is survived by his beloved and beautiful wife of 53 years, Laura (Lebron-Lopez) Birkmaier; his son, William Birkmaier; daughters, Sherry Calderon and Cristina Birkmaier; sisters, Lori O’Rourke and Lynne Heywood; grandchildren, Skyler, Liam, Oliver, Nicolas, and Luca; daughter and son-in-law, Christelle Birkmaier and Harold Calderon; many nieces and nephews. Loving brother to Karl and Mark Birkmaier.

A public graveside service is being held at the veteran’s section of Riverside Cemetery, 171 Elm Street in North Reading, at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 30^th.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in WA.  Link: plantatree.fs.usda.gov/tree-donation www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Robert (Bob) W. McGrath –  age 72, of North Reading passed away on September 12, 2023. Bob was raised in North Cambridge by his parents William and Ethel McGrath (Henderson), both lifelong residents of North Cambridge. Bob married Lorraine McGrath (Bizelia) of North Reading, formerly Cambridge, and celebrated 38 years of marriage this year. Bob was lovingly proud of their son Rory D. McGrath, who grew up in North Reading, graduated from UMass Amherst, earned his MBA from Northeastern University, and is employed by Nike. Many of Bob’s favorite memories were of family vacations with his wife and son to the coast of Maine. Rory lives in Portland, Oregon with his fianceé, Erin Milligan, who was raised in Rumford, Maine. Their wedding is planned for September 2024 in Maine.

Bob was a classic car enthusiast and he would have kept every car he owned if possible. For those he couldn’t keep, he enjoyed creating model versions to put on his shelves. He drove a variety of cars throughout the years including a VW Beetle, 1955 Corvette, and 1972Dodge Charger; most recently he enjoyed his 2008 Cadillac, 1975 Corvette, and 1956 Harley Davidson.

Bob is predeceased by his parents William and Ethel, and his (man’s) best friend, Doggie. He is survived by his wife Lorraine, son Rory and fianceé Erin, sisters Elizabeth (Betty) Hayes of Naples, Florida and Dorothy (Dottie) Hosterman of Orange City, Florida.

Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading.

In Loving Memory of Barbara Johnson Hilton Fohlin

Barbara Johnson Hilton Fohlin, a remarkable woman of compassion, strength, and boundless love, passed away on September 16, 2023. Born on December 28, 1928, in Andover, MA, Barbara’s journey through life was one of unwavering dedication to her loved ones and a deep passion for caring for others.

She graduated from Punchard High School (1946) and the Nursing School of Lawrence General Hospital (1949). Later that same year, she proudly became a Registered Nurse, a profession she would grace with her compassion for many years.

In 1952, Barbara married Don Hilton, embarking on a journey of love and partnership that would last for nearly two decades. Their early years together saw them residing briefly in Lawrence, MA, before settling in North Reading in 1957. The couple became proud parents to three children and lovingly opened their home to her mother, Mabel (“Mimi”), and mother-in-law, Eliza (“Nana”), exemplifying her selflessness and devotion to family.
In 1971, Barbara’s husband, Don, passed away suddenly, leaving her to raise their three children: Sue, Jim, and Beverly. Barbara’s unwavering love and resilience guided her through these challenging times. For the following ten years, Barbara’s focus was on her children. She was an active parent, engaged in supporting many of her children’s interests and activities. Her love, guidance, and nurturing spirit laid the foundation for her children’s success and the legacy she leaves behind.

In 1981, Barbara married Hal Fohlin. Barbara and Hal shared a love for adventure, traveling all over the world. It was Barbara’s love for family that inspired them to drive across the country on multiple occasions to visit their children and grandchildren, often making the long drives while knitting and listening to a good book.

The couple retired to a renovated 1840s farmhouse in Marlow, NH, and later to a condo in Keene, NH, where they resided until 2006 when they moved to Brooksby Village in Peabody, MA. All along the way, she forged friendships, touching the lives of many. They shared 39 wonderful years together until Hal’s passing in December 2020.
While she moved several times in her life, church was a constant in her life. Here she found community and many opportunities to share her love. Her faith played a significant role in her life and inspired her to spread kindness and love wherever she went. Her focus always remained on serving others, finding countless opportunities to volunteer.

Barbara’s creative spirit found expression through knitting and quilting, with her handmade quilts adorning the homes of friends and loved ones. She found solace and joy in gardening, nurturing beautiful blooms, and baking delicious treats. Many an overnight guest awoke to the smell of freshly baked blueberry muffins. She never tired of a good game of Yahtzee or completing a jigsaw puzzle with her many grandkids.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, Mabel and Ernest Johnson, her brother, George Johnson, and her husbands, Don Hilton and Hal Fohlin. She is survived by her three children, Sue (Mark), Jim (Michelle), and Beverly (Jeff), and her stepchildren, Jim, Sylvia (Rob), Marybeth (Mark), Caroline (John), and Howard. Her legacy lives on through her 18 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Barbara Johnson Hilton Fohlin’s life was a beautiful tapestry of love and care. She leaves behind a legacy of inner strength and a deep appreciation for the simple pleasures in life. Barbara’s passing leaves a void in our lives, but her spirit of love, compassion, and devotion will continue to guide us all. Her memory will be one of love and kindness.

A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held at 11:00am on November 14, 2023 at Union Congregational Church, North Reading, MA. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Brooksby Village Student Scholarship Fund, Philanthropy Office, 300 Brooksby Village Drive, Peabody, MA 01960 (elm.convio.net/BrooksbySCH) or in the spirit of caring for others a donation to the donors local food shelf.

Patricia E. (Spinelli) Romeo – 87, of North Reading and formerly of Revere, passed away on Sunday, September 17, 2023, at Ashland Farms in North Andover. She was the beloved wife of the late Frank J. Romeo.

Born in Everett, MA on September 2, 1936. She was the daughter of the late Remo and Edith (MacLeod) Spinelli. Pat was a graduate of Revere High School, Class of 1954 and later attended Boston University from 1955 to 1957.

She has been a resident of North Reading for the past 62 years. In her early years Pat worked for the Revere Public Library and Filene’s Basement in Sales. She was an organist, soloist and Music Director for many local area churches for over 45 years, including St. Agnes Church in Middleton, St. Thomas Church in Wilmington, St. Patrick’s Church in Lawrence and St. Theresa’s Church in North Reading. She served for the Archdiocese in Boston. Her years of being a musician and soloist for the Archdiocese lead her to a career highlight of traveling to Italy with a chorus and singing for the Pope.

Pat was a Special Police Officer and Auxiliary Policewoman for the Town of North Reading for 25 years and was the crossing guard at the Hood School for many years.

Pat was very involved in North Reading for many years, she was a member of the North Reading Planning Commission, the North Reading Historical Society for 52 years, where she served as President for two years and the North Reading Historical District Commission. She dedicated her life to the restoration and preservation of the Rev. Daniel Putnam House. Pat was House Director and Board Member. She later spent many years giving tours of the Putnam House to local school children and sharing about the history of this community. She helped organize the town celebration of the Bicentennial in 1976 and was instrumental in the installation of the band stand on the town common. Pat was a member of St. Theresa’s Church, a Girl Scout Leader, member of the Colonial Chorus, she was a Merrimack Valley Guild Organist, Director of Music for Boston Catholic Television and was in the special Cardinals Choir at Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston.

She was the loving mother of Lisa Romeo DiSanto and her husband Lewis, David Romeo and his wife Kelly, Christine Romeo, Daniel Romeo and Thomas Romeo and his wife Anastasia; her sister, Norma Vito; 11 grandchildren, Frankie, Johnny, Ariana, James, Elizabeth, Benjamin, Abbey, Nicholas, Shelby, Brittany and Danielle, and one great grandchild, Orion Duffy .

Her funeral will be held on Saturday, September 23 at 10:15 AM, from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading, followed by a 11:30 AM Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street, North Reading. Calling hours will be held on Friday, September 22 from 4 to 8 PM. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to the North Reading Historical & Antiquarian Society, PO Box 354, North Reading, MA 01864

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Phillip John Hoyt – 84, of Fountain, FL and formerly of North Reading, passed away Friday, August 25, 2023, at his home.

Phil was born on December 31,1938 in Wilmington Hospital, Wilmington MA to Alfred & Anna Hoyt. He was the 5th child of 10 and lived in North Reading MA. Phil worked on a chicken farm while attending Essex Agricultural School and would ride his bicycle up & down the hills in the cold just to get to school. He earned the nickname “Jake the farmer” from his brother-in-law Paul Sweeney. He dropped out of school but went back and graduated in 1959, the same year as his brother, Richard. He met his first wife during his tour of duty in the National Guard. They raised their 3 children in Newton, MA before their divorce.

He worked as an Electrical Technician at BLH Electronics for several years before he was laid off. He bought a house in Readville before moving to Blountstown, Florida to get out of the cold & snow, and where he met his wife, Patricia. Other than his parents Phil is predeceased by his sisters, Arline Lumb Garlington, Barbara Enos and Cathy Cartwright and brothers, Alfred Hoyt Jr. & Richard (Dick) Hoyt, and his son Michael Hoyt. He is survived by his wife of 35 years Patricia; his daughters from his first marriage, Marie Hoyt-Pariury (Bob) of Norwood, MA, Laura Henderson (Roger) of Marlborough MA and son Jay Hoyt (Mary) of Hingham, MA; his 3 stepchildren; Andy Bailey, Gay Richards & Randy Brantley of Florida, one grandson, 4 step granddaughters, and 7 step great grandchildren. His siblings, Alice Sweeney of Maine, Ruth Ross of Massachusetts, Herbert Hoyt of Massachusetts & Jason Hoyt of NH; His one special Aunt Gladys Jaworski of NH.

There will be a private memorial service at his home in Florida with a private burial at Riverside Cemetery in North Reading, MA, at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading (www.croswellfuneralhome.com). Online condolences may be made at Adamsfh.com (850-674-5449