Known for his quick wit, dramatic talents and devotion to his family

NORTH READING – David Earl Reed, 75, of North Reading, moseyed through the pearly gates on January 4, 2025 after a long and courageous battle with Huntington’s Disease.

The son of the late Floyd and Mildred (Gates) Reed, he hailed from Barre, Vermont, attending Spaulding High School where he excelled in academics as well as in the dramatic arts. His numerous awards and accolades included a scholarship to Northeastern University, where he met the love of his life, Mary Morelli.

n addition to earning a B.A. in History, David obtained an M.A. in Education from Suffolk University and an M.B.A., also from Northeastern University.

David and Mary settled in North Reading to raise their family, where David became involved in youth softball, serving as a coach and board member for several years. Always active in the community, he helped build the original KidSpot playground on Chestnut Street.

He continued his love of theater, performing as Colonel Pickering in “My Fair Lady,” and as one of the Gangsters in “Kiss Me Kate,” both with North Regional Theater Workshop. His greatest performance, as he loved to tell, was as Firefrorefiddle, the Fiend of the Fell.

As a 32nd degree Mason, David served as Worshipful Master of North Reading Lodge AF & AM, High Priest of Waverly Royal Arch Chapter, District Deputy Grand High Priest of the Seventh Capitular District, Illustrious Master of Melrose Council – Council of Royal and Select Master Masons, Commander of Metro North Commandery #20, High Priest of St. Paul’s Royal Arch Chapter, Master of the 13th Lodge of Instruction, and a member of the Degree Team for Mt. Moriah. In 2011, he was awarded the coveted Joseph Warren Medal by The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.

David combined his love of public speaking with his gift of storytelling, serving as a tour guide for the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in Boston.

He had a quick wit, with a love of Dad jokes and puns. His competitive spirit emerged around all games, especially Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit.

In addition to his wife of 51 years, Mary, he is survived by his daughters, Meredith (Reed) Cailler and her husband Craig of Tewksbury and Jillian (Reed) String and her husband Andrew of Lynnfield; his grandchildren, Ava Cailler, Neal, Noah, and Nathan String; his sisters, Margaret (Reed) Newhall and her husband Douglas of Manchester, N.H., and Eleanor (Reed) Gaudette of Rutland, Vermont; his brother, James Reed of Berlin, Vermont, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Calling hours will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading on Saturday, January 18 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with a public Masonic funeral service from 1:30  to 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America at www.hdsa.org or Huntington’s Disease Society of America, 505 Eighth Avenue, Suite 1402, New York, NY 10018.

To leave online messages of condolence please visit croswellfuneralhome.com.