Calvin Coolidge Reed, 91 of Saranac Lake passed away at the Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake on Monday, February 15, with family by his side.
He was born in Keene, NY on January 3, 1925 the son of Benton and Mae (McFarland) Reed.
He graduated from Keene Valley Central School as valedictorian of his class in 1943. The summer following graduation he worked with a team hired by the U.S. Geological Survey to put benchmarks on the 46 high peaks of the Adirondacks. In October of that year he entered the United States Army serving during World War II and the Korean War.
Following World War II he went to Hartford Connecticut to learn the insurance business. Upon course completion he returned to Keene and worked in the insurance business. During this time he met the love of his life, Delores Vosburgh. They were married on November 28, 1953 at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church in Keene. He then moved to Saranac Lake where he worked for the United States Post Office until his retirement in 1982. During his tenure at the post office he gave federal civil service tests. Following his retirement he worked for 14 summers at the Charles Dickert Wildlife Museum in the Saranac Lake Free Library.
He served as secretary on the board of the Northern New York Chapter of the American Diabetes Association for several years. He was an active member of the VFW volunteering for many years at Friday night bingo and placing flags on the graves of veterans for decades up to and including this past year. After 40 years of doing this he was granted an honorary lifetime membership in the American Legion.
He is survived by four children Karen Kenison of Lake Placid, Colleen Reed-Hough of Saranac Lake, Kevin (Melody) Reed of Liverpool, and Christine (Scott) Mock of Newton, NJ, five grandchildren Kristy Kenison Arroyo, Joseph Kenison, Sarah Reed, Patricia Reed and Ryan Reed. He is also survived by five great grandchildren Charles, Lauralynn, Morgan, Cameron and Tyrese and by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by wife Delores, his brothers Ralph, Richard and Royce, sisters-in-law Elizabeth, Gertrude and Argenta Reed, brother-in-law Gordon Vosburgh, Jr., mother-in-law Elise Vosburgh, father-in-law Gordon Vosburgh, Sr. and a son-in-law Donald Hough.
Calling hours will take place at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home on Friday February 19, 2016 from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM. A memorial service will immediately follow at 5:00 P.M. at the funeral home, with Rev. Wilbert Gamble officiating. Burial will take place at Corey’s Cemetery at a later date.
Friends wishing to remember Calvin C. Reed may make memorial contributions to American Diabetes Association or the Alzheimer’s Association in care of the funeral home. Family and friends can also share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.