CDR Joseph Marotta, U.S. Coast Guard, Ret. – 84, passed peacefully surrounded by his family and friends, on Friday October 12th, 2018. He resided in North Reading, with his soulmate Annette, his wife of 53 years.

Joseph was born in East Boston on August 13th, 1934, son of Mary (Russo) and Bert Marotta.
He is survived by his wife Annette (Marcucella), his daughter Kristine O’Rourke and her husband Joseph, and his son Joseph Marotta, all of North Reading. He leaves four loving grandchildren, Marisa, Rachel, Spencer O’Rourke, and Manuel Vlaun. He is also survived by his sisters Ann Jablonski, Claire Brush, and his predeceased sister Florence McGuire.

Joe grew up in East Boston, where he had a special love for his community and was very proud of his Italian family heritage. He worked at the Seville theatre as a young man, which inspired his passion for the arts and opera.

He graduated Boston English High School in the class of 1952. Joe was then appointed to West Point Military Academy. He went on to attend the Coast Guard Academy where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering in 1960. This led to a very distinguished career as a commissioned officer in the United States Coast Guard. Joe was an honored and decorated veteran that served in the Vietnam War.

The sport of deer hunting led him to North Reading. He so greatly enjoyed the outdoors and nature, that he and his wife Annette decided to make North Reading their permanent home after they were married in 1965. He enjoyed summers on Silver Lake in Hollis N.H., woodworking in his garage, and spending time with his lifelong friends and family. Joe had a great sense of humor, and always had a joke up his sleeve. He had a nickname for everyone.

He guided his family with integrity and led by example. He was a gentleman and a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. He was the favorite uncle to many. Joe enjoyed making people happy, whether it was a trip to Disney with the grandchildren, or a big Italian dinner around the table with his friends. He made friends wherever he went and found most of his happiness when he was giving or helping others.

“When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”
― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

Family and friends are invited to calling hours from 4 to 8pm on Friday, October 19, at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home on Saturday, October 20 at 8:45 AM, followed by a 10 AM Funeral Mass at the St. Athanasius Parish, 300 Haverhill Street, Reading. Interment will be at the Riverside Cemetery, 171 Elm St., North Reading.

In lieu of flowers the Marotta Family is requesting that donations be sent in memory of CDR Joseph Marotta to Homes For Our Troops, 6 Main Street Taunton, MA. 02780.

Reginald “Reggie” Adair, Jr.,- died unexpectedly on October 5, 2018 at age 43. He fought a long battle with addiction and addiction won.  Reggie was a graduate of North Reading High School, Class of 1994.
  He was a skilled craftsman who loved seeing the outcome of his projects. He had a relentless desire to help others. Reggie had this way about him to be the class clown. As he got older he joked, he missed his calling to be a standup comedian. He loved spending time with his family, especially his son Jacob.  He enjoyed playing poker, he was a motorcycle enthusiast and was happy when riding with his crew. Reggie was a dog lover.

He leaves behind a son Jacob Adair and a daughter Jordon Adair, his mother Carla (Jacques) Kenny and her husband Tom, his father Reginald L. Adair, Sr. and his companion Florence Lops, his siblings, Kevin Wulleman and his wife Kristin, Jennifer Wulleman and her fiancé Leonard Dortch,  Angel (Adair) Miller and her husband Jim, Danielle Adair and her wife Wendy, Matthew Adair and his wife Sam, Bryan Adair and his wife Jessica, his companion Melissa Nunes, many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. We would like to acknowledge Ken Edwards who was a big part of Reggie’s life, best friend and business partner.

His funeral will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Friday, October 12 at 7:00 PM. Calling hours will be held prior to the service from 4:00 to 6:45 PM.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to: The Bridge House, 20 Summit Street, Framingham, MA 01701. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Donald  K.  Roberts, 89, of Boxford and formerly of North Reading for many years, died Thursday, February 16, 2017, in Vero Beach, Florida. He was the husband of Ana Alvarado of Costa Rica and husband of the late Sally Ann (McPartland) Roberts, who died in 1999, after over fifty years of marriage.

Born in Winchester, MA on March 11, 1927, he was the son of the late Harold and Ruth (Elting) Roberts.

Don was a U.S. Army WWII Veteran, he originally tried to enter the Army at age 15. He was a former Chairman of the Board of Selectman in North Reading and served as President of the Board of Trade. Don was a local business owner in town for many years and was a member of the North Reading Masonic Lodge. He was entrepreneur, a private pilot, world traveler, T.V. and Ham Radio Operator and Grand Snapper of International Association of Turtles.

Family members include his loving children, Ruth Zarach of Boxford, Lynne Stone of Alton, NH, Dawn Roberts of North Reading, Keith Roberts of Bedford, NH and Todd Roberts of North Andover; 8 cherished grandchildren, Wendy Zarach Marresse, Dylan Roberts, Alicia Dewey, Shawn Casey, Madeline DeNault, Nicholas, James and Ben Roberts; five great grandchildren, Alma, Jake, Sara, Emily and Brayden; step grandchildren, Elena, Karla and Diego and many loving nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Thursday, April 20 from 4 to 7 PM. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice.

Hector N. Araniz – 57, of Amherst, NH, and formerly of North Reading, MA, died on Tuesday, October 11, 2016 surrounded by loving family.

Born in Argentina on June 6, 1959. He is the son of Lucy Araniz and the late Hector Araniz. He was a graduate of Waltham High School, Class of 1977 and Bentley University, Class of 1981. Hector worked as a Financial Advisor for many years.

He loved spending time with family and friends.  He was an avid golfer and was a member of the Sky Meadow Men’s Golf Association.

Family members include his loving son, Justin A. Araniz, daughter-in-law Kate and grandchildren Ava and Evan of North Reading, MA, his daughter, Jessica E. Araniz of Manchester, NH, former wife Janis Araniz of Manchester, NH, his brother, Rick Araniz, sister-in-law Margaret and niece and nephew, Christiana and Alex of Medway, MA and his partner, Cathy DiMartino and daughter Mary-Kate of Amherst, NH.

Calling hours will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading, MA on Saturday, October 15 from Noon to 4 PM. There will be no funeral mass and interment will be private.

Hector was ever grateful for the care he received from nurses and medical staff over the many years of his battle with cancer.  It was his wish to give back to those who showed him care and compassion during this journey.  As such, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory to: Hector N. Araniz Memorial Fund, c/o Charles River Bank, PO Box 740 Medway, MA 02053