Thomas F. Reid

Thomas F. Reid, 80, of Plum Borough, died Tuesday, Aug. 1, at the VA in Aspinwall after a 23-year battle against Parkinson's Disease. He was born May 31, 1937, in Pittsburgh, son of Alfred D. Reid and Martha Beck Reid. He was a graduate of Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh and went on to attend Georgetown University, where he studied military science and became a commissioned officer upon graduation. He was a veteran of 10 years' service in the Army, where he attained the rank of major. During his military service, he was commander of Company D, Third U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard) from 1963-1964, during which time he helped plan the state funerals of President John F. Kennedy and General Douglas MacArthur. He also served in Vietnam in 1968. Following his military service, he attended Temple University at night where he studied law. After obtaining his law degree, he was employed by Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corp. and Koppers Co., both of Pittsburgh. After retiring from the practice of law in 1995, he moved to Ligonier and became an active volunteer with SCORE, counselors to America's small businesses, where he was the chairman of the Westmoreland chapter at St. Vincent College for two years. He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Ligonier for many years before moving back to Pittsburgh. He and his wife were active members of the Parkinson's Foundation in Greensburg and helped organize annual retreats over the course of seven years for Parkinson's patients and their families. He loved military history, traveling and photography. He was known for his irreverent sense of humor and love for his family. He will be missed by the many friends and caregivers who became a part of his life during the time he was a resident of the VA. He made an impact everywhere he went. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Alfred D. Reid Jr., and by a granddaughter, Angela T. Reid. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Carol Fellenz Reid; a sister, Lucy Reid-Krensky (Rob), of Woodside, Calif.; a son, T. Michael Reid (Marianne), of Plum Borough; two daughters, Cathleen R. Velke (Robert), of Columbia, Md., and Monica Rader (Rusty), of Ohio Township; and four grandchildren - Mary Elizabeth Reid, Benjamin Rader, Daniel Reid and Morgan Rader. 
A memorial gathering will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at BASH-NIED FUNERAL HOME, 152 Abbe Place, Delmont, 724-468-8381. A funeral Mass and cemetery interment for Mr. Reid will be held privately for the family.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation of Western Pennsylvania, 575 Lincoln Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15202; or VA Hospital in Aspinwall, Hospice Unit, Volunteer Services, 1010 Delafield Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15215. For directions and online expressions of sympathy, please refer to the funeral home website, www.bash-niedfuneralhome.com.

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