Allan C. Reed

Allan C. Reed, 94, of Pottsville, formerly of Port Carbon, passed away Jan. 23, 2024, while in the care of Green Valley Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Pottsville.

Allan was the loving husband of Marie I. Reed, who passed away in May 2021, as well as the loving husband of Gertrude Reed, who passed away in 1967.

Born in Middleport, Allan was a son of the late Irvin Richard and Mabel (Smith) Reed.

Following his graduation from Blythe Township High School, Allan entered military service with the Army. From April 1951 through April 1953, he served with the Army as an active duty soldier stationed in Korea.

Following his honorable discharge from the Army, Allan returned to the U.S. in order to find employment.

Throughout his life, Allan was employed in a variety of positions throughout the region. He worked as an over-the-road trucker for Pepsi Cola as well as a truck driver for Pottsville Bleach & Dye, Port Carbon. Following his employment as a truck driver, Allan was eventually hired as a boilermaker, a career that spanned well over 22 years. In this position, he and his teams were responsible for the construction of the Berwick Nuclear facility, the construction of the Limerick Generation station, including multiple refueling sessions, as well as work at the Peach Bottom and Martin's Creek facilities.

Perhaps Allan's true calling as a boilermaker occurred following the partial meltdown of the Unit 2 reactor at Three Mile Island, near Harrisburg. His team and others assisted engineers to develop the appropriate tools necessary to safely start the process to disassemble, clean up and deactivate the reactor. For these efforts, Allan and his team appeared in a Life Magazine article outlining their work at TMI.

Following his retirement as a boilermaker, Allan enjoyed all his free time with his family.

Allan was an active member of the Masons. He was a 64-year member of Pulaski Lodge 216, Pottsville. He served as worshipful master of Lodge 730 in 1965 as well as the leader of Lodge 730 in Pottsville.

Allan was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Marie; his wife, Gertrude; as well as son, Daniel Callaghan. He was also predeceased by his siblings, Leafie Reed Stephens, Irvin Reed Jr., Donald Reed, Lamar Reed, Russell Reed, Carl Reed and Marilyn Mengel.

Allan is survived by a son, Patrick Callaghan, husband of Ingrid, Middletown, Delaware; daughters, Denise Webber, wife of Robert, Pottsville, and Debra, wife of Charles D. Donahue Jr., Oley; and grandchildren, Michael Callaghan and his spouse, David, of Odessa, Delaware, Robert Webber Jr., Cumbola, Danielle Cushman, wife of Travis, Fleetwood, and Stephanie Donahue, Oley. He is also survived by his three great-granddaughters, Grace, Molly and Madeline Cushman, of Oley.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, at St. Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church in Saint Clair, with the Rev. Monsignor William Glosser officiating. Relatives and friends are invited to a viewing from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Allan will be interred in Schuylkill Memorial Park Cemetery in Schuylkill Haven following his funeral Mass. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to St. Clare of Assisi Church or any veterans organizations in the area.

A kind, thoughtful, generous and quiet man who always believed family came first. A true gentleman. We will miss him.