Vietnam veterans receive long-awaited welcome home...

Aug 22, 2019 by

Published August 22, 2019 By MAUREEN DOHERTY NORTH READING — “Welcome home” and “thank you for your service” were phrases uttered frequently and with sincerity throughout the five-plus days that The Wall That Heals occupied the meadow at Ipswich River Park. From the time the three-quarter replica of the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial in Washington, D.C. arrived at the park last Tuesday afternoon until it was disassembled on Sunday afternoon, its presence transformed more than just the physical space it occupied. It gave a voice to all those who have remained silent about their service for decades. Veterans opened up about their experiences with those too young to remember or who weren’t even alive during the Vietnam era which spanned from 1959 to 1975. Family members who lost sons, brothers, fathers and husbands could...

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40B public hearing tonight

Aug 22, 2019 by

Published August 22, 2019 By MAUREEN DOHERTY NORTH READING — The second Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) public hearing on the 20 Elm St. Ch. 40B comprehensive permit application for 200 apartments will be held tonight, Thursday, August 22 at 6:45 p.m. The meeting location is the Performing Arts Center at NRHS (not Town Hall) where the board has allotted about 30 minutes to discuss and decide whether the town can invoke “safe harbor” under the “general land area minimum” (GLAM) exemption provision of 40B if 1.5% or more of the town’s land area is allotted to affordable housing. Under the state law the decision must be made by Friday, August 23, which is the 15th day after the board had opened the public hearing. At question was whether land area occupied by group homes in...

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The Wall That Heals: Thursday’s moving ceremony...

Aug 22, 2019 by

Published August 22, 2019 By ALLISON HASTINGS NORTH READING — This past week, local residents had the privilege of viewing a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Ipswich River Park in North Reading. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, a non-profit organization, designed the three-quarter scale replica of The Wall and a mobile Education Center, which travels to 34 communities throughout the United States each year. Last Thursday, a special POW/MIA ceremony was held to commemorate those who died in combat and honor the veterans still with us today. Master of Ceremonies and North Reading’s own Veterans’ Director, Susan Magner, opened the program by welcoming audience members and acknowledging the hundreds of volunteers who helped bring this exhibit into the community. Magner, along with many of the speakers, emphasized the importance of recognizing the...

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NR coaches lead USA team to victory in Italy...

Aug 22, 2019 by

Published August 22, 2019 By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI SALA BAGANZA, Italy — Earlier this month, North Reading’s Marco Vittozzi brought over his ages 15 and under baseball team to Italy to compete in the Sala Baganza International Baseball Tournament. This is the fifth time in the past seven years he had done this trip and, for the second time, his team won the title. “We had a group of about 35 when you count the parents and everybody enjoyed it,” said Vittozzi, who played in Italy back in 1987. “Along with the games we also get to do some sightseeing.” There are 12 teams overall in this tournament as there are two six-team divisions. Each team plays five games and the top two teams in each pool advance to the semifinal round. After the opening...

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Anthony Italo Lucci, 37

Aug 22, 2019 by

Loved all New England sports Published August 22, 2019 NORTH READING — Anthony Italo Lucci, 37, passed away unexpectedly at his home on August 18, 2019. Born and raised in North Reading, he attended North Reading schools and the Northeast Metro Tech. Survived by his loving daughter, Paige Lucci; his father, Anthony W. Lucci; sister, Clementina (Tina) Lucci and his brothers, Thomas and Wayne Williams.  He was predeceased by his mother, Ruthanne (Woods) Lucci. Tony’s presence on earth was larger than life itself; there aren’t many men like him and few will merely ever come as close. He was caring, sensitive and sweet. His proudest moment in life was the birth of his daughter Paige, who shares his button nose and warm smile. He was the life of the party, enjoyed being from a...

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Marie S. Duff

Aug 22, 2019 by

PublishedLongtime employee of Fifth Third Bank in Cincinnati Published August 22, 2019 NORTH READING — Marie S. Duff died peacefully Thursday, August 15, 2019 at Winchester Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Winchester. Born in 1929 in Springport, New York, Marie graduated from Union Spring Central High School in 1947. She married Orville Lee Duff in 1953. She was a longtime employee of Fifth Third Bank in Cincinnati. After her retirement, she moved to Melrose and then to North Reading. She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Melrose and active in the Thrift Shop there. She is survived by her brother, Cleon Salvage, and his wife, Eleanor, of Fairport, New York; her son, Scott Lee Duff and his wife Susan, of Greensboro, North Carolina; and her daughter, Shawn Duff Intorcio, and her husband,...

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