Reid, Richard H.

Dick was forever proud to be born in his beloved Bronx, NY and cherished his childhood friends and neighbors, many of whom he stayed in touch with up to his death. After graduating with a BS Fine Arts from Hunter College, he served his country in the US Army for two years. He retired from the Ford Foundation after a 20-year career as a stock analyst on Wall St. He moved from his beloved New York City to his equally beloved home in Green Township, NJ, in 1984. Dick was a serious and passionate painter; his work was selected for the jacket sleeves of two books, “Soulstorm Stories” and “Funeral Music for Freemasons.”

He was a member of the Arts Students League and served on the Board of Controllers from 1980-1982 and then was Men’s VP in 1983. His lifelong love of music led him to many years as a “penguin” in the Met Opera Club and then later to serving as a faithful member of the Good Shepherd Church Choir. He was also a fine cook, an extensive and adventurous world traveler, witty raconteur and genuine people-lover who had a magical gift for putting people at ease and drawing them out. He was very proud that he took up skiing at age 58!

The death of his beloved partner of 25 years, D. Laird Willott, in 1986 was the crucible for forging a long-term relationship with the Hyacinth Aids Foundation, where he was a long-time member of the Board of Trustees, serving as President and briefly as Acting Executive Director. In addition to Laird, Dick is predeceased by his parents, Charles E. and Beatrice M. (Buchner) Reid, his sister Joan Reid, and his brothers- in-law Ralph Mortensen, John Denner and Robert Willott.

He is survived by his partner of 24 years, James M. Hohman, his sister Betty Mortensen, his brother Charles and sister-in-law Arline, his sister Nancy Denner, his sister Bonnie McManamy and brother-in-law James, brother Donald and sister-in-law Patricia, and sister-in-law Marta Willott Newberry and husband Wally along with many cherished nieces, nephews, godchildren and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Thursday, August 30, from 4 to 8 pm at the Iliff-Ruggiero Funeral Home, 156 Main St, (Rt. 206) Newton, NJ.

A funeral Mass will be held at Good Shepherd RC Church, Route 517 Andover NJ, at 11 am on Friday August 31. In lieu of flowers, people may offer donations to the Hyacinth AIDS Foundation (317 George Street, Suite 203 New Brunswick, NJ 08901) or the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice (99 Sparta Avenue Newton, NJ 07860).

Online condolences to www.iliff-ruggierofuneralhome.com.