Obituary of Bradley O. Reed

PITTSFIELD MA: Bradley O. Reed, 79, of 59 Sherwood Drive passed away Saturday at his home with his family by his side. Born September 24, 1930 in Ticonderoga, the son of Clarence W. and Gladys Oliver Reed, he attended a two-room schoolhouse in North River for grade school and was a graduate of the North Creek High School (presently Johnsburg Central School), in North Creek. Brad received a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Syracuse University in 1953. While at Syracuse he was active in the Army ROTC and the ATO fraternity. He served in the US Army Ordnance Corps, with the 9332nd Technical Service Unit, as a 1st LT; he received a commendation ribbon with metal pendant for meritorious achievement at Santa Margarida, Portugal. Upon his return from his service for his country, he was employed at General Motors in Indianapolis, IN, as an engineer trouble shooting transmissions which involved extensive traveling. He was then employed at General Electric Ordnance Division in Malta, NY and then in Pittsfield, MA. While working there he received 13 US patents and some 70-80 foreign patents and he also served on a NATO committee to make armaments more compatible for all members of NATO. He retired in 1990 after 25 years of service at General Electric. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Pittsfield. Brad was an avid deer hunter, belonging to a multigenerational hunting group in the Adirondacks. He enjoyed researching genealogy and volunteering at the National Archives. He leaves his wife of 47 years, the former Julane Lyman whom he married October 13, 1962. He met Julane while on a business trip in San Jose, CA. He is survived by his children Michael Reed and his wife Ronda of Yorktown, VA, Amy Cernava of Asheboro, NC, Rebecca LaColla and her husband Domenic of Simpsonville, SC, Patrick Reed and his wife Julie of Franklin, MA; sister Barbara R. Douglas of North River; along with eight grandchildren, and sister-in-law, Dr. Corinne Lyman. He is predeceased by a sister, Virginia R. O’Connor. Funeral services were conducted on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 in Pittsfield, MA. Bradley was laid to rest following the funeral service in the Pittsfield Cemetery. Donations in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society. Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guest book and condolences.