Verne J. Slack of Reading passed away peacefully on Monday, January 13, 2014 at
Woodbriar of Wilmington.
Born in Winchester, MA 10/5/29 the youngest of 7 children. He was the son of
the late Harold J. and Grace Slack. He graduated from Winchester High School and
always loved sports. He was an athlete who played hockey, baseball and football.
In his Junior year he became Captain of the football team. He was known as being
fastest on the squad. He threw one of the longest passes recorded at that time. He
was later inducted into the Winchester Sports Foundation Hall of Fame.

Also, an Ace pitcher for the WHS baseball team he pitched at Fenway Park against
Keith Academy in Class A Quarter-final. Scouted by pro baseball teams he went to training camp for the White Sox but was unable to continue because of a football injury.

He served in the Korean War as a Medic, attaining the rank of Sergeant. He was twice wounded in action and received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for bravery. He graduated from Springfield College where he continued playing college sports.
He later, took up golf and tennis and played both for many years.

Verne spent many years selling real estate in Lexington, Winchester, and Reading. He
was manager at Bjorkman and Lann Real Estate in Reading before opening his own agency.

He was the beloved husband of his wife Shirley, devoted father of his children Jennifer Castracane and her husband Claudio of Wenham and Jeremy Slack of Woburn, and his stepchildren, Leslie Bailey and her husband Graham of North Reading, Eric Steeves and his wife Tammy of Wilmington; Amy Sweeney and her husband Dan Faucon of Reading and Patrick Sweeney and his wife Dominique of Cleveland, Ohio. He enjoyed all of his grandchildren, Ian and Mary Castracane, Kate and Vincent Faucon, Justin and Tyler Bailey, and Eric Jr., Zachary and Megan Steeves of Wilmington.

He was the brother of Barbara Zaino of Wilmington, MA and Charles Slack of California. He also leaves a large family of nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours at Douglass, Edgerley and Bessom Funeral Home 25 Woburn St. (corner of Woburn St.) Reading, from 4 to 8pm on Wednesday, January 15th. His funeral will be held at the First Congregational Church 25 Woburn St., Reading, at 11 am on Thursday, January 16th. Burial with military honors will be held in Charles Lawn Cemetery, Reading. For directions and on line guest book visit johnbdouglassfuneralhome.com