Memorial Service

In the days after Reid passed away, we were blessed by an incredible outpouring of respect and sympathy.  Friends flew in from homes, colleges, and vacations out-of-state to be with us and to say 'good-bye' to Reid.  Our home was flooded by friends and family who quickly took to the task of helping arrange a fitting Memorial Sevice.  On April 21, 2005 we held a combined Memorial Tribute and Funeral Mass. 

For the procession, Reid's pallbearers rode in three vintage Saabs, including Reid's beloved '91 Saab Turbo, following the flower car.  The procession was escorted by an officer on a motorcycle and by squad cars from two towns.  At one point in the journey, a sudden gust of wind blew in from nowhere, and released a spectacular shower of red rose petals from the flower car onto the long procession of cars behind it.  The way we see it, Reid was looking down at us,  embarrassed by all the fuss, but unable to resist adding his own perfect touch.   

Five clergy from four parishes served the mass.  Fourteen pallbearers escorted Reid into the church and then later to his final resting place at Forest Hills Cemetery in Lynnfield. 

The Tribute, entitled "Reid's Life:  A Celebration", featured live music performed by a number of talented musicians and ensembles, each in some important way connected to Reid's life.  Twelve guests, each having a unique relationship with Reid, shared stories about Reid and recalled how he touched their lives.  These presentations were remarkable in their emotion, sincerity, eloquence, and heart.  Click on the names in the list below for the texts of these individual tributes.

Tributes

Eulogy (from the closing of the Funeral Mass)