C. Alden Reese

REESE, C. Alden native son and lifelong St. Petersburg resident, died Friday, Nov. 16, of complications following surgery. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ruth O. (Keesler) Reese, and their three children S. Douglas, Terri J., and Paul G. Alden was born Aug. 25, 1924, the son of avid yachtsman and local businessman Paul V. Reese. After graduation from St. Petersburg High School, he entered the Navy in 1942 as a petty officer. He joked that his contribution to the war consisted primarily of guarding the mail at the U.S. base on Guam. After the war, Alden joined his father in the family business, Reese the Sign Man, Inc., founded in 1911. He was a master craftsman, expert in techniques including silk screen, airbrush, and gold leaf. He was active in various local civic groups, especially the Lions Club. Alden was the very model of a southern gentleman, a gentle man, unfailingly polite, soft spoken, and kind. He charmed everyone he met and was always a caring friend. Even animals instinctively trusted him and sought him out. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a sharp but never unkind wit (despite an unfortunate fondness for awful puns). This grown-up pixie always had a twinkle in his eye. He enjoyed all sorts of games, particularly online role-playing games with his adult children. Other interests and hobbies included reading naval history and finding and baking special recipes for family and friends. He was always extremely supportive of, and utterly devoted to, his wife, who returned to school to become a marine biologist. The couple always gardened together, raising everything from vegetables to orchids. Throughout years of serious medical problems and surgeries, he never complained and never gave up. Visit the online guestbook www.andersonmcqueen.com A Memorial Celebration of his life will be listed later on the website.