Mark E. Reading

Reading, Mark E, taken too soon at the young age of 68, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2024, surrounded by his family. Born in Needham, MA, on December 1, 1955, Mark was the eldest child of Eugene and Eileen Reading. Mark graduated from Dover-Sherborn High School in 1974, excelling on the football and baseball fields. Mark went on to attend college at Northwood Institute in Michigan where he played football and left early, eager to move back to MA and start a business, and his family.

Capitalizing on his entrepreneurial spirit, he opened Mark's Sandwich Shoppe in Wellesley, MA, in July 1983. Mark's was famous in town and continues to be a favorite memory of many Wellesley residents. In addition to Mark's, he opened JJ's Café in 1995 with the goal of not only providing excellent coffee for residents, but a place for the local youth to gather and enjoy live music. Mark's passion for sports persisted throughout his life, coaching his children's teams, and most recently being the biggest fan on the sidelines at his grandchildren's games. Mark's enthusiasm for travel opened his world to some of his favorite adventures in Costa Rica and Saint Lucia, however his favorite place to travel was locally at Gooserocks Beach in Maine, where the entire family has enjoyed over 60 years of memories. Mark will be best remembered by his loved ones for his positive spirit, mentorship, resilience through hard times, work ethic, laughter, and love of life.

He is survived by his partner, Therese Gigliotti of Burlington, MA and their beloved dog Lucy, his children, Jennifer Minor of Newton, Sarah Salerno and her husband Michael Salerno of Hanover, Nicole Reading of Quincy, and Mark Reading and his wife Caroline Reading of Whitman. He is also survived by his seven grandchildren, his pride and joy, Ryan Minor (11), Andrew Salerno (8), Catherine Salerno (6), Liam Orlando (4), Owen Orlando (2), Parker Reading (4), and Nolan Reading (6 months); his sister Kate Egner of Newcastle, WY, brother Stephen Reading and family of Needham, and his sister Susan Samson and family of Belgrade, ME. Family and close friends will be gathering to celebrate Mark's legacy in a private ceremony. For those that wish to honor Mark's life, please consider donating to Mark's charity of choice, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which serves to assist Gold Star and fallen first responders' families. Finally, hold your loved ones close. You never know what life will throw your way, and how much time you have in this world. Like Mark, live life to the fullest, laugh loud, and love unapologetically.