Reverend Robert J. Reed, resident at Holy Family Villa for Priests, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, died on Tuesday, 11 September 2012, at the age of 82.
A native of Allentown, Father Reed was the son of the late Robert J. and Anne (O’Neill) Reed. He is survived by a brother, James Reed and wife Karin of Greencastle, Pennsylvania; sisters, Lois Daday and husband Bert of Colesville; Carol Doyle wife of the late Eugene of Moorestown, New Jersey; Mary Reed of McDonough, Georgia; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased in death by a brother, John.
Father Reed attended Allentown public grade schools and graduated from Allentown High School. He studied for the Priesthood at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook, Pennsylvania, and was ordained to the Priesthood on 13 May 1961 by Bishop Joseph M. McShea, at the Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena, in the first Ordination Class of the Diocese of Allentown.
Father Reed’s first Priestly assignment was Parochial Vicar, Saint John the Baptist Church, Pottsville, followed by Parochial Vicar, Saint Ursula Church,
Fountain Hill, and the former Saint Joseph Church, Easton. He was also Professor, Allentown Central Catholic High School, and Parochial Vicar, Saint Ann Church, Emmaus. Father Reed’s first Pastoral assignment was at Saint Nicholas Church, Walnutport, followed by Pastor, Saints Simon and Jude Church, Bethlehem, where he remained for nearly twenty-four years.
During the course of his Priestly Ministry, Father Reed held the following Auxiliary Diocesan Assignments: Diocesan Director, Cursillo Movement; Regional Director, Family Life Bureau, Northampton County; and Regional Director, Project H.E.A.D., Lehigh County. He was a 3rd degree member of Trinity Council 313 Knights of Columbus of Bethlehem, and a 4th degree member of the Bishop Welsh Assembly 931, Bethlehem.
Upon his retirement, Father Reed was named Pastor Emeritus, Saints Simon and Jude Church, Bethlehem.
Previously, he was an avid pilot, member of the National Aircraft Pilots Association, Experimental Aircraft Association, and Chaplain for the Civil Air Patrol. He sponsored families and was very active and instrumental in involving the Vietnamese Community with Saints Simon and Jude Church.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Father Reed will be celebrated at Saints Simon and Jude Church, Seventh Avenue and West Broad Street, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on Friday, 14 September 2012, at 11:00 AM. His Excellency, the Most Reverend John O. Barres, Bishop of Allentown, will be the Main Celebrant.
The Vigil Service will be on Thursday, 13 September 2012, at Saints Simon and Jude Church, Bethlehem, at 7:00 PM.
Calling hours will be at Saints Simon and Jude Church, Bethlehem, on Thursday, 13 September 2012, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and on Friday, 14 September 2012, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
Private Interment will be in Saint Joseph Cemetery, Limeport, Pennsylvania.
Arrangements care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc. Bethlehem, PA.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Holy Family Villa 1325 Prospect Ave Bethlehem, PA 18018.
Gerard Reagan
Gerard P. Reagan, 85 of Bethlehem passed away January 4, 2012 in St. Luke’s Hospital.
He was the husband of the late Mary Ellen (Evans) Reagan.
Gerard served in the Navy during WWII, and is a graduate of Wagner College. He was a member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem. He retired from Bethlehem Steel where he worked in the accounting Department. After retirement he enjoyed working at Wegman’s.
Survivors:
Daughter Jean L. Fries and husband Ted R. of Fleetwood.
Daughter-in-law, Dr. Laura Reagan
5 grandchildren, Kelly, Jamie and Maggie Fries, Gerard Fox and Gabriel Reagan.
He was predeceased by his wife, son Dr. Gerard A. and siblings, Vincent, Ray, Roy and Marie Mildred Shubert.
Services are Private, arrangements care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc. Bethlehem.
Sylvia M. Reed
Sylvia Marie ( Brosious) Danko Reed, 79, of Bethlehem died on August 20, 2011 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem. She was the wife of the late Andrew Danko and the late James Reed. Born October 12, 1931 she was the daughter of the late Charles and Cora Brosious. She was a founding member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church where she made vestments and baptism gowns. She was employed at Roller Smith South Mfg. and WMD Corp as well as an independent Amway retailer. She was a devoted supporter of the Democratic Party and was a Democratic Committee Woman for many years and was very proud of never missing an election. She was a member of Voters Hall of Fame. Her greatest joy was helping to raise children and she gave 4 generations of family her unconditional love. She is greatly missed by many.
She was the mother of 4 sons and 3 daughters, Andrew, Kevin, Mark, step-son Robert, Andrea Marie Vresicis, foster daughters Ferrir Rose and Syu Syu. She had 14 grandchildren and a large number of nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two sisters- Patricia and Jane and brothers- Charles, Edward, Daniel, James, Richard and George.
Services:
A viewing will be held on Thursday evening from 6-8PM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018 and Friday morning 10-10:45 AM in Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church 1861 Catasauqua Rd. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11AM in the church. Burial in Holy Saviour Cemetery.
Sara Reith
Sara Dolores Reith, of Bethlehem, passed away Saturday, July 16, 2011, at Holy Family Manor. Born in Coatesville, PA on April 3, 1914, she was the only child of Dr. Frank and Anna (Brennan) Carden, RN. She was raised by her widowed mother and paternal grandfather in the coal regions of Pennsylvania, graduating from Mahanoy Township High School where she excelled in art and theatre, sang alto in chorus and played the piano and first violin in the school orchestra. She entered Temple University, Phila in 1932 for a innovative all female 2-year program in Medical Technology/ Phlebotomy. She worked for 13 years at the former Locust Mt. State. Hospital in Shenandoah with Dr. Emmett Hobbs, the county Pathologist, and ran the laboratory during the WWII years. Married in Dec. 1944 to Carl Reith of Pottsville, who was then employed by Bethlehem Steel, they settled in West Bethlehem in 1946. They were married for 52 years at the time of his death in 1997. She was a member of SS. Simon and Jude Catholic Church, the BVM Sodality and was a life-long Democrat.
Survivors:
One Daughter- Sally Reith, cousins and a godson
Services:
A viewing will be held Thursday 12:30-1PM with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 1PM all in St. Anne’s Chapel in Holy Family Manor 1300 Prospect Ave Bethlehem. Burial to follow in Holy Saviour Cemetery.
Contributions can be made in Sara’s memory to the Holy Family Manor Residents Fund or to the Bethlehem Area Public Library- ROOM TO GROW. Arrangements care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc.