James Francis REID

REID James Francis James Francis Reid died at the age of 93, on Saturday, January 8, 2011, in his home surrounded by family and friends. He was known as a good friend, father, grand-father, great-grandfather, business owner, story-teller and so much more. Jim Reid was born in 1917 to James Orrin Reid and Frances Kiene Reid in the city of Toledo, Ohio. After the death of his mother, his father married Elizabeth Schneblin, a second mom Jim held in high esteem. He attended Good Shepherd Parish Grade School, Nazareth Hall (Intermediate) Military School, and he attended and graduated from Waite High School. His business career began with an entry level position at Superior Casket Company in Toledo where he became a sales man and eventually was an owner. Little did he know at the time, he would spend a lifetime in that industry. He left briefly during WWII to do his patriotic duty and work as a foreman at Willys-Overland Jeep, overseeing the manufacture of fighter plane cockpits. When the war ended he went to work for several casket companies in Illinois and Indiana before joining the prestigious Chicago Casket Company. During this time, Jim developed Northwest Ohio and Lower Michigan as his territory while keeping Toledo as his home base. In 1968, Jim and his son, Thomas Reid formed James Reid and Son Casket Company, known today as Reid Casket Company. The company expanded and moved to their present headquarters at 3240 Monroe Street. Jim grew his company from father, son and one station wagon to nine employees and four delivery trucks in a 15,000 square foot facility. The motto of his company is "serving those who serve the community". According to Jim, "this is our family helping a family business help the families who call them in time of need". He served the industry full-time for 70 years but continued to visit customers occasionally, with his son Tom and daughter Judie, until recently. Since the early '60s Jim has lived in the home he and his wife built near the Ottawa River, in the Shoreland/ Riviera area. Jim is a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus. As a K of C member, he served mass in the St. Charles Hospital Chapel until the age of 70. He is a long time member of the Point Place Business Association. Jim is survived by his dearest friend, Margie Rose. Also surviving are his four children and their spouses, Judith (William) Aubry, James Jr. (Carol), Bobbie Reid (Steven De Lucchi) of Union City, CA and Thomas (Sandra) Reid. Jim has eight grandchildren, including Beth Raczko Lodzinski, David Tansey, Margie Tansey Walter, Joy Tansey Peter, Justin Reid and Anne Reid Gerber. His great-grand-children total 14. He also has 12 step grandchildren, William Jr., Daniel, John, Timothy and Patrick Aubry, Peggy Tressler, Janet Lankey, Adrienne Castellanos, Debbie Hall, Mark Marczewski, Danielle Wright and Michael DeLucchi; 30 step great-grandchildren also survive. Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Emeline Petsche Reid. He will be shown at Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Road, 2 to 8 p.m., Friday, January 14, where a Knights of Columbus Scripture Service will begin at 6:30 p.m. The funeral will be held on Saturday, January 15, at St. John the Baptist Church, at the corner of Summit and 124th Streets, at 10:30 a.m., with a visitation in the Narthex beginning at 9 a.m. The family requests donations be sent to Hospice of Northwest Ohio or St. John The Baptist Church. Please view an sign the "on-line" guest register at: CoyleFuneralHome.com