Albert B. Reed Jr., 92, of Newcastle, died peacefully on Aug. 1 at Miles Memorial Hospital. He was born in Boothbay Harbor on May 23, 1919, the son of Albert B. Reed Sr. and Elizabeth Bridges Reed.
He was a direct descendent of Col. Andrew Reed, who was instrumental in establishing the first permanent settlement in Boothbay in the mid-1700s. Mr. Reed served his country during WWII, and was with Gen. Mark Clark’s Fifth Army, which landed at Anzio Beachhead in January of 1944, and went on to capture Rome in June.
After the war, he returned to Maine and married the former Vera Dodge of Newcastle. He entered the automobile business, owning and operating Reed’s Auto Sales in Newcastle for many years. The love of a good horse was an important part of his life, and he was well known in harness racing circles throughout the state.
He was a longtime Mason and member of the Alna Lodge, as well as a member of the Kora Temple Shrine of Lewiston. In his younger years, he was very active in Lincoln County politics.
He is survived by his son, Dr. Stephen D. Reed of Wiscasset and his longtime companion, Shari Vigue; grandsons, Christopher D. Reed of Portland and Matthew S. Reed of Boston; former wife, Vera Lincoln of Newcastle; nieces, Beverly Rawson-Dibble of Florida and Shirley R. Chadbourne of Damariscotta; nephews, Cecil Reed Jr. of Wiscasset, Wayne R. Abbott of Boothbay Harbor and Larry H. Reed of Walpole; and close friends, Jeff Kenniston of Warren, Michael Grindell of Wiscasset, Walter Hilton of Damariscotta and Muriel (Tessa) Teirila of Warren.
A private family committal service will be held at the West Bristol Cemetery in Walpole.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
