Mr. Charles E. Reid

1963                                            1966

October 2, 1925 - May 15, 2015

Charles E. Reid, Sr., 89, of Kennebunkport, died Friday morning, May 15, 2015, at his residence after a brief illness. 

Charles was born on October 2, 1925 in Palisades Park, New Jersey, the son of Wilfred C. and Grace (Frear) Reid, Sr., both deceased. An active citizen of his country, Charlie served in the US Navy during World War II in the European Theater on the Escort Carrier the USS Core CVE13. 

Charlie was a longtime resident and well respected developer and builder in New Jersey. While residing there, he served as a Paramus (Bergen County) public library trustee for 35 years. In 1971 he was appointed by President Richard Nixon a member of The National Archives Advisory Committee, while also serving New Jersey as president of the State Library Trustee Association. In 1988 President Ronald Reagan appointed Charlie to the National Commission on Libraries and Informational Science and in 1991 President H. W. Bush appointed him to Chairman of the White House Conference on Library and Information Services. 

The newest branch of the Paramus Public Library is named in his honor, The Charles E. Reid Branch Library. Charlie served three terms as mayor of Paramus and six years as Bergen County freeholder followed by his successful bid for election to the New Jersey State Assembly. 

Moving to Kennebunkport in 1994, he owned and managed the Green Heron Inn and, subsequently, the Fontenay Motel, both on Ocean Avenue, and served as a member of the Kennebunkport Planning Board and Kennebunkport’s Growth Planning Committee. 

He is predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Elizabeth (Betty) Bampton, an infant son, Bruce, and his two older brothers, Wallace (Wally) of Kennebunkport and Wilfred (Will), of Kennebunk. 

Charlie is survived by his wife, Carol, his three sons, Charles (Chuck), David (wife Paula) and Greg (wife Lynn) Reid, three step-children (Scott, Susan and Christine), thirteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Interment with military honors in Arundel Cemetery, Kennebunkport. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Charles E. Reid Branch Library, 239 West Midland Ave, Paramus, NJ, 07652, or to First Congregational Church, 140 North St. Kennebunkport, ME 04046.

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