North Reading's Norman Baxter Passes Away

Norman M. Baxter, longtime North Reading resident and 50 year employee of HP Hood & Sons passed away. He was 88.

Born on October 29, 1930 in Somerville where he was a graduate of the Class of 1948. Son of the late Melbourne R. & Ada P. (Whooten) Baxter, and is survived by his wife of 60 plus years, Caroline M. (Downey) Baxter, 6 children: Glenn N. Baxter and his wife Patti of Melrose MA, Gail A. Middleton and her husband Bruce of Pembroke NH, Gary K. Baxter and his wife Donna of No. Reading, MA, Gay L. Luoto and her husband Rick of Hampstead NH, Genell R. Pike and her husband Robert of Bolton Landing, NY, Grant W. Baxter and his wife Sharon of No. Reading, 13 Grandchildren, and 5 Great Grandchildren.

Norman served in the US Marine Corps during the Korean War. Norman was a 44-year resident of North Reading before moving to Hampstead, NH. He was a member of the Union Congregational Church where in the early days he served as President of the Men's and the Couple’s Clubs. He was an adviser to the youth group for two years and chaperoned memorable youth trips to Washington D.C. Norman was elected in the 1950’s as a Fence Viewer for North Reading, serving 2 years. He was an honorary 50 year member of the NR Masonic Lodge AF&AM, serving 15 years as secretary. He was also a member of the Mt Carmel Chapter of Eastern Star. He served as Chairman of Most Worshipful Fred K. Bauer’s reception when he became Grand Master of Mason for MA.

HP Hood employed him for 50 years both active and retired. He began as a driver, then attended the management training program while managing a chain of Penguin Ice Cream stores until he was promoted to the Hood Personnel Department. He served as the President of the Hood Mutual Benefit Assoc. 1974 – 1975, Director of the HP Hood Federal Credit Union for over 20 years as well as being the past president of the NE Assoc. of Suggestion Systems, and then Human Resource Manager at HP Hood until he retired in 1987.

Norman didn’t know the meaning of the word retire and continued working another 18 years for HP Hood as a college recruiter, Quarter Century Club functions, as well as serving on the Charles H. Hood fund board of directors for four years. He worked as a part-time sales person for Meltzer Furniture in NR and as a Maître-d, part-time at the Kernwood Restaurant in Lynnfield. After surviving and recovering from a brain aneurysm at age 70, you could see him in later years taking care of Ipswich River Park, NR during the early morning hours always in his shorts, until the first snowfall. He drove for Liberty Chevrolet parts department for many years into his 80’s.

He and his wife enjoyed a summer home in Kennebunkport, ME for many years while raising their family. After retirement they wintered in Venice, FL as well as traveling to Canada a few times a year. He was a hardworking, devoted husband father and grandfather always there to lend a hand washing a car or two or three! He will be remembered for his work ethic, his love for family, landscaping, chopping firewood, driving, and loved cars, old and new. He will be sorely missed and never forgotten.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the North Reading Masonic Lodge A.F. & A. M or Constellation Health Services of MA & NH. A Memorial service will be held at a later date to be announced. Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com