Douglas H. Reed

1939 - 2022

Douglas H. Reed
August 24, 1939 – January 22, 2022
Newfane, VT
From the moment he took his first paper route as a kid, Doug Reed always knew he was going to be in the newspaper business. His love for journalism took him throughout the world. His readers lived vicariously through the stories he told whether it was flying with the Blue Angels or visiting with heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey opining about a young fighter named Rocky Marciano, Doug had the talent to bring any story to life. The last chapter has been written in the life of a man whose love for the written word has enabled him to leave a lasting legacy. Douglas Herbert Reed passed away Sunday, January 23, 2022, at the Bennington Health & Rehabilitation Center. He was 82-years old.
Born in St. Albans, VT on August 24, 1939, he was the only son to Herbert and Gladys Driver Reed. His work ethic was established at an early age as his father left the family to serve with the US Marine Corps during World War II. Completing daily chores and helping the family was expected. That upbringing served him well throughout his life. A graduate of Bellows Free Academy in St. Albans, Doug attended Boston University, where he studied journalism for a year before following in his father's footsteps and enlisting in the Marine Corps. During a brief but distinguished military career that brought him to the Carolinas, California, and Okinawa, where he served as editor of the newspaper for the 3rd Marine Division newspaper. He was discharged as a Lance Corporal in 1964 and returned to St. Albans, where he worked as a reporter for the St. Albans Messenger. His next stop would be Keene, NH where he worked for the Keene Sentinel as a reporter and photographer for several years.
His journey brought him to Attleboro, MA where he was called upon to serve as managing editor as the North Attleborough Chronicle and Attleboro Sun merged. He spent about 15 years there before leaving. He later founded the North Attleborough Free Press, where he worked as Editor and Publisher until his retirement in 2005.
Doug was a family man and together he and his wife raised three children. He never met a "Dad joke" he didn't like and had a firm grasp on the obvious as he was credited with such sayings as, "When it's all gone, there won't be anymore." He was also known to add his own lyrics to songs, which could be heard on many a Saturday evening when he busted out the 45s and listened with his family, although he never actually played one song in its entirety.
He loved sports, especially baseball and football. He was a season ticket holder of the New England Patriots for years. It didn't matter that it was during the 1970s and that Schaeffer Stadium didn't offer the comforts of Gillette. There was no place he'd rather be than freezing on the aluminum seats on the 30-yard line. His love for baseball was spawned in childhood when he played Little League and had occasion to venture to Fenway Park in Boston and see the Red Sox. Of course, it would be many years before he saw them take home the pennant. He later confessed that on that fateful night in 2004, he considered hopping in his truck and heading to St. Louis to be there when the Sox won the World Series for the first time since 1918.
Community was important to Doug and he spent time volunteering throughout his life. He was a founding member of the Hillside Adult Daycare Program in Attleboro. He coached Little League baseball in Attleboro for years and also served as umpire and was a member of the Board of Directors. Years later he would spend many a summer traveling to Cooperstown, NY to watch his grandsons play in baseball tournaments. He was involved with his church and sang with the choir at the Brattleboro United Methodist Church, at which he was a member for more than three decades. He was a member of the Marine Corps League of Brattleboro, VT and was a member of the color guard, often attending events honoring veterans. He regularly donated blood and platelets to the American Red Cross and had done so for more than three decades.
Doug won numerous awards and accolades throughout his career from the Associated Press and New England Press Association (NEPA). He was inducted into the freshman class of the NEPA Newspaper Hall of Fame. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal by the US Marine Corps, and on his 80th Birthday, Doug was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Marine Corps League.
Doug is survived by his three children, son William Reed of Attleboro, MA, and daughters Kellie Reed McCarthy and her husband Jay of Foxborough, MA, and Jennifer Reed of Wilmington, NC. His grandchildren, Rachael Lentz of Norton, MA, Cameron Fiorentino of Manchester, NH, and Colin Fiorentino, of Wilmington, NC, Shane McCarthy of Foxborough, MA and Meaghan McCarthy of Fall River, MA. Five great grandchildren and a niece and nephew. He was predeceased by his sister Gwen White of Rutland, VT, and his granddaughter Chelsey Reed of Pawtucket, RI.
Funeral services will be private and arranged at a later date. Doug will be interred at the Vermont Veterans Cemetery in Randolph, VT. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the American Red Cross in his honor.