Michael Lee Reed, 56, of Wiscasset, died May 20 at Midcoast Hospital in Brunswick of appendix cancer.
He was born July 5, 1956 in Boothbay Harbor to Robert and Judith (Rines) Reed. He was the second oldest of seven children. He grew up in Wiscasset and graduated from Wiscasset High School in 1975.
He enjoyed every aspect of the outdoors including boating, camping, and horseback riding and was an avid hunter, fisherman, and gardener. He loved spending time with family and friends at cookouts, horse races and parties. He also enjoyed traveling and spent several winters in Florida and recently traveled with his wife and good friends to the Dominican Republic.
His jobs included farrier, marine worm harvester, welder, Christmas tree sales and stable owner.
He was married to Carolyn Brewer for 17 years and they had four children.
In 2012 he married Ellee Lowell at their home in Wiscasset and was diagnosed with stage four appendix cancer shortly after. His battle with cancer was hard-fought and his optimism towards it was inspiring to those around him.
He was known as a hard-working, fun-loving person, who was full of life and a devoted husband, father, grandfather and a lifelong friend to many.
He was predeceased by his son, Joshua Hamilton Reed; father, Robert Sewall Reed Sr.; and brother, Robert Henry Standridge.
Survivors are his wife, Ellee (Lowell) Reed of Wiscasset; daughters, Jessica Reed of Fuquay-Varina, N.C., and Desiree Bailey and husband Josh of Wiscasset; son, Justin Reed of Wiscasset; granddaughters, Gabrianna Michelle and Emma Marie Bailey of Wiscasset; stepdaughters, Rory Buonadonna-Nathanson and husband Jason of Summerville, S.C., and Whitney Buonadonna and husband-to-be Anthony Leeman of Brunswick; mother, Judy Reed of Wiscasset; brothers, Robert Reed Jr. and girlfriend Shari Burbank of Edgecomb, John Reed and wife to-be April Koehling of Bath, and Bruce Reed and wife Sylvia of Wiscasset; sisters, Rebecca and husband Louis Mihalos of Wiscasset, Kathy and husband Richard Skelton of Bowdoinham, and Lori Reed of Wiscasset; and several nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held 1 p.m., Fri., May 31 at the Bath Senior Center, 47 Floral St., Bath.
To share your thoughts and condolences with the family, please visit www.desmondfuneralhomes.com.
