Harry L. Larkin – 82, of Reading, died peacefully at his home on Thursday, July 11, 2024.

Born in Stoneham, MA on January 19, 1942. He was the 2nd of 4 boys to the late Herbert M. and Ethel D. (Griswold) Larkin, and was raised in North Reading, MA. Harry was also a resident of Chester, NH for 20+ years.

He was predeceased by his two brothers, the late Edson “Ned” of North Reading and the late Robert “Bob” of South Yarmouth, MA. He is survived by his baby brother Dr. Richard “Doc” Larkin and his wife Emilia of North Reading, his loving children Toni Lynn Larkin of Saco, ME, Sean Larkin of Reading, and Amy Larkin-White of Windham, NH who together gave him 8 grandchildren Jordan and Logan Matthews; Samantha, Tori and Leo Larkin; Cameron, Lexeen and Juliet White; and 1 great grandchild Dakota. He was loved by many nieces and nephews, leaves his ex-wife Janet Larkin of Methuen, and long-time friend, companion and caregiver, Charlene Phillips of North Reading.

Harry was raised and attended schools in North Reading, He was a 1960 graduate of North Reading High School. He later served in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Harry was an owner and mechanic magician of Larkin Lawnmower of North Reading for many years. He was a member of the North Reading Moose Lodge, North Reading Masonic Lodge, the Shriners and Massachusetts Charitable Mechanics Association. Harry loved snowmobiles, motorcycles and drag racing (in his more youthful days), and Sunday breakfast. He was a proud man, and often would be the first one to lend his hand to someone in need. He was one of many snowmobilers who rescued stranded motorists on Route 128 during the “Blizzard of 78.” Harry liked to travel; special trips included Sturgis, South Dakota (on motorcycle), across Quebec, Canada (on snowmobile), and numerous trips to Nova Scotia. He was most happy working, watching western movies, or listening to his “country oldies.”

His funeral will be held on Thursday, July 18 at 11:00 AM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading, Calling Hours for friends and family will be held on Wednesday, July 17 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. The family requests all who attend to bring a story of Harry to share. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Shriners, or the charity of one’s choice.

Patricia  A. (Luther) Brooks – 93, of North Reading, died at her home on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. She was the beloved wife of the late James W. Brooks, Sr.

Born in Medford, MA on November 13, 1930. She was the daughter of the late George P. and Mildred W. (Krohn) Luther. She was a graduate of Dorchester High School and Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School.

Pat worked as a secretary for the Green Grove Convalescent Home in North Reading and for the General Electric Company.

She was a resident of North Reading for the past 67 years and an active member of St. Theresa’s Church, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister. Pat loved traveling and playing cards with her friends.

Family members include her daughter, Deborah Hall and her husband Jeff; sons, James W. Brooks, Jr. and his wife Maureen and George Brooks and his wife Nancy; 9 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Her funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Tuesday, July 16 at 9:15 AM, followed by a 10:30 AM Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street, North Reading. Calling hours will be held on Monday, July 15 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading.

Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice.www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Steven A. Gallant – 65, – of North Reading, died Sunday, June 30, 2024, at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers.

Born in Dighton, MA on April 9, 1959, he was the son of the late Arthur E. and Dorothy M. (Barry) Gallant. He graduated from North Reading High School, Class of 1977 and later received an Associate’s Degree from New England College. Steven resided in North Reading most of his life. He worked in the building trades for many years, his last employment was  Foreman at Paglia Plastering.

Steven was a kind, caring and generous person to all his family and friends. He was an avid motorcyclist. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed traveling, he had visited most of the National Parks across the country, hiking, exploring and taking pictures. Zion was his favorite.

Steven was very proud of his son Michael who was the joy of his life, they had been working on a goal of traveling to all the Major League Baseball Parks in the U.S.  Steven also loved hockey, they attended many Bruins games together with friends.

He is survived by his loving son Michael C. Gallant of Stoneham; his brothers Michael  of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and Mark of North Reading; his sister Dawn  and her husband Larry George of North Reading; also many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Arrangements by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Services were private. A Celebration of Stevens’ life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to: American Cancer Society P.O. Box 6704 Hagerstown, MD 21741.

www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Robert F. Swenson – 72, of Pickens, South Carolina, formerly of North Reading and North Andover, died on June 17, 2020, in Easley, South Carolina.

He was born in Stoneham, MA on September 4, 1947.  He was the son of the late Alfred A. and Isabelle C. (Millar) Swenson. He was raised and attended school in North Reading.

Robert was a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran of the Vietnam Conflict, he served at age 17, from 1965 to 1969. He was a Lance Corporal and he received the Purple Heart Medal in combat.

When he came back from serving in Vietnam for the U.S. Marines, he worked for the Hood Milk Company and then he bartended for the Horseshoe Restaurant in North Reading for a number of years. His nickname was  midnight.

He was loved for his humor and had an infectious laugh. He had a great voice to sing his favorite country songs with any Gordon Lightfoot song, especially playing his Harmonia to the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. He loved bowling and was on the TV show Candlepins for Cash in the late 70’s and early eighties. He said on the show, “I work for Hood Milk and I have the longest route in town”. He also  played in the  North Reading Men’s Softball League for several years.

He loved the outdoors, fishing, golfing, BBQ’s  and he loved to garden and grow his own fruits and vegetables. He was very proud to serve our country. He especially loved animals, over the years he had many dogs and too many cats to count.

Family members include his sons, Ryan Legrow and his wife Patricia and Robert Swenson, Jr.; daughters, Amy Swenson and Sara Swenson; his sister Helen M. (Swenson) McNabola; grandchildren, Heather, Emma, Ryan and Aiden, Denise Risacher and Casey Riviera; great grandchildren, Grace and Brayden. He was the brother of the late Alfred and Thomas Swenson.

Calling hours will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Friday morning, July 12 from 9:30 to 11:30 AM, followed by a graveside service in Riverside Cemetery, North Reading at 11:50 AM. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

John Puglia – 81, passed away on Monday, June 17, 2024 in his home in North Reading.  He attended Reading High School and later North Reading High School when the town opened its first high school.  While in school he participated in sports and was a member of the first North Reading Hornets football team.  He also met the love of his life Joan Puglia whom he married in 1964 and celebrated 60 years of marriage earlier this year.  He attended Lowell Tech (now UMASS Lowell)  where he received a degree in electrical engineering.  He served 2 years in the National Guard before embarking on a 40 year career of engineering and later as a sales director for Cooper Power Systems.

John had a gift for all things mechanical.  He loved to work on cars and household projects for family and friends.  He was a devoted family man and raised his two sons in North Reading where he was always active helping them and their friends along the way.  He had a love for football and enjoyed watching his sons play as well as later enjoying the Patriots dynasty.  He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years Joan Puglia.  Also survived by his 2 brothers, Kenneth and Carl Puglia; his sister Laurice Haines and his 2 sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and wife Dawn of Reading and Matthew and his wife Megan of North Reading.  He is also survived by 5 grandchildren, Katelyn and Lauren of Reading and Jason, Brooke and Makenna of North Reading.

Calling hours are 9:30-11:00 AM on Monday June 24, 2024 at Croswell Funeral Home in North Reading, followed by a service at 11:00 AM. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com