Allan Thomas Reading

(Courier News)

ALLAN THOMAS
READING
AGE: 63
NORTH PLAINFIELD
Allan Thomas Reading, 63, died Thursday, May 6, 2010, at The University of Medicine and Dentistry Hospital, Newark, due to complications following a bicycle accident while training for the American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure, a fund-raising bicycle race scheduled for June 13. Mr. Reading had been a special education teacher at Somerset Intermediate School in North Plainfield for the past eight years. He was the school's drama coach and also taught robotics to all 6th graders in the district. Mr. Reading was born Jan. 18, 1947 in Somerville and the son of Wiley L. and Roberta Reading. He grew up in Flemington and graduated from Hunterdon Central High School in 1965. Mr. Reading earned a BA from Pfeiffer University, an MA from Seton Hall University and an M. Div from Drew University. Mr. Reading later took courses at Kean University to qualify for a New Jersey certification in special education. He had previous careers in social services, construction, and municipal government. Mr. Reading was active in community theatre, particularly Parish Players and ACT IV, and enjoyed both directing and acting in various productions. He was a professionally trained tenor and loved singing anywhere and everywhere. He was a member of the First Unitarian Society of Plainfield choir for 33 years and performed in various concerts over his lifetime.
Mr. Reading is survived by his wife, Martha; their five children, Emma, Annie, Carolyn, Robert and Matthew, all at home; and his daughter, Frances of Metuchen. He is also survived by four stepchildren, Michael Goodnough, Cynthia Martin, Wendy Swanson and Eric Swanson; his three brothers, Wiley L. Reading Jr. of Gualala, Calif., David R. Reading of Alexandria, Va., and John G. Reading of Broomfield, Colo.; and four grandchildren, Madeleine and Campbell Martin, Dylan Goodnough and Nora Swanson.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 6 at the First Unitarian Society of Plainfield, 724 Park Ave., Plainfield. Condolences should be addressed in care of Martha Reading at the church. Memorial donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association, the First Unitarian Society of Plainfield Building Fund or a charity of your choice.