Earl Florence Passes Away

Earl E. Florence, 90, of Londonderry, NH and formerly of North Reading, died unexpectedly on Monday, Feb. 19 at the Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, NH.

Born in Winchester, MA on November 19, 1927, he was the son of the late Earl E. and Evelyn K. (Flaherty) Florence. He was a graduate of Mitchell Military Boys School in Billerica and the Emerson School for Boys in Exeter, NH, Class of 1944.

Earl worked for and was a member of the Pipe Fitters Union Local 537 for 72 years and was a former resident of North Reading for 89 years. Earl was former Grand Knight for the Knights of Columbus in North Reading, a member of the Middlesex Pigeon Racing Club for forty years.

He loved his family and animals. He was an avid football and baseball fan, he enjoyed stock market and politics. His favorite quote was “I am left handed but I am always right”.

Family members include his loving wife of 67 years, Doris A. (Peck) Florence; his son, Dana Florence of Amherst, NH; daughters, Erlene McSweeney and Kathleen Willett, both of Tewksbury, Morene Jacklin of Raymond, NH and Christine Tower of Tewksbury; his sister, Evelyn Doran of North Reading; 13 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Robert Florence.

Calling hours will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Friday, February 23 from 9:30 to 11 a.m., followed by a 11 a.m. funeral service. Interment will be in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Peabody. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice.