Jeremy Thomas REID

1931 - 2022

JEREMY THOMAS REID August 27, 1931 - February 11, 2022 It is with great sorrow that we announce the death of Jerry Reid, a cherished husband, father and grandfather, on February 11, 2022. Jerry started life in Toronto. It seems he was born to be an engineer. According to his mother, he was already repairing taps and taking apart clocks by age seven. With good reason he was known to many as the 'fix-it' guy. He graduated from McGill University as a mechanical engineer, and shortly after working in England with Rolls Royce for two years, joined the Continental Can Company. He had a long productive career with the company, where he was well- liked, valued and respected. He was always busy, fixing something or working on a project. He taught his family to leave things a bit better than they found them. Jerry was generous with his time, helping family, friends and neighbours with cars that wouldn't start, sump pumps that were flooding, electricity that wouldn't work, and a myriad of other problems. At age twelve Jerry moved to Montreal. Six years later a new family with two girls arrived next door. In time, Jerry and Anne became more than neighbours. They spent many courting hours in a cold garage, with Anne handing Jerry the tools needed to fix his parents' car. The rest is history. Anne and Jerry married in 1956 and had 65 happy years together as husband and wife. Jerry was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, always involved, supportive, encouraging and positive. He loved life: he was a musician, a sailor, a builder, an inventor. He was always learning and sharing his knowledge with others. He used computers long before they were common household objects. He was open to new ideas and would listen to opposing opinions. His interests were wide-ranging. He had many maxims; if anything went wrong he'd say, 'Think of it as an adventure!' During one of his last conversations with his son, when he was very ill with very little strength, he concluded by saying, 'All in all, it's been a pretty good day.' That attitude exemplifies Jerry. The last four years of his life were not easy. Following his diagnosis of interstitial lung disease in December of 2017, he not only accepted that he would need supplemental oxygen for the rest of his life, but continually found ways to adjust in order to live life to its fullest. The supplier was constantly surprised by his enquiries: what was the longest length of hose available with the capacity to deliver the oxygen? What was the lowest outdoor temperature the portable oxygen machine could withstand and still function? No one had ever asked such questions before! But Jerry explained that he needed to be able to reach all corners of the house, (including his workshop in the basement), and to walk his dog in the winter. For the next several years he was able to work in his garden, tend to his fish ponds, use his workshop, putter at the family cottage, and travel! As his health declined last fall, Jerry continued to live with grace, accepting his limitations with equanimity, while continuing to do as much as he was able. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by family. He leaves behind Anne, his loving wife of 65 years; his daughter, Sue and her children, Emily (Thor), and Meredith; and son, Rob (Sheri) and his children, Jonathan (Mehria), Rebecca, Julia and Charlotte. He was predeceased by his brothers, Edmund and Andy (Sue). As Jerry loved all his dogs, most especially his loyal rescue dog Brandy, donations to the Humane Society would be welcome. Alternatively, donations to Saint Cuthbert's Church or a charity of your choice would be appreciated. A private funeral will be held. 'Death is not extinguishing the light. It is putting out the lamp because the dawn has come.' - Rabindranath Tagore Online condolences at www.koprivataylor.com.