James M. Reed, 79, a longtime resident of Londonderry, NH died Sunday April 11, 2010 in the Parkland Medical Center, Derry, NH. Mr. Reed was born in Alfred, ME on October 8, 1930, son of the late Harold D. and Evelyn F. (Fowler) Reed. He served with the US Navy during the Korean Conflict. He retired after 32 years from Alvirne High School in Hudson, NH where he was employed as a industrial arts teacher department head. Voted teacher of the year in 1974-75, he even assisted a student build the largest slide rule gaining admission in the Guinness Book of Records. He also worked tirelessly to help rebuild the school after a fire destroyed much of the building in the 1970’s. He was described as a “gentlemen’s farmer”, a woodworker who tinkered and enjoyed remodeling old houses. He was also a bee keeper and a member of the Merrimack Valley Bee Keepers Association and a member of the NH Farm Museum in Milton, NH. Most of all he enjoyed family, especially his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary “Polly” (Perley) Reed of Londonderry, two sons, James Reed II and Yvonne of Londonderry, Eric Reed of Hudson, three daughters, Gretchen Reed of Manchester, NH, Dottie Guzowski and her husband Ed of Londonderry, Becky Thurston and her husband Scott of Barrington, NH, five grandchildren, Jim, Karlee, Emily, Patrick and Abby, one brother, Edward F. Reed of N. Olmstead, OH, and his niece, Cindy Lussier.
Following cremation, calling hours were held on Wednesday April 14, 2010 from 6 - 8pm with a service at 7:30pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Rd., Londonderry. In lieu of flowers, memorials donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 249 Canal St., Manchester, NH 03101-2316 or to the NH Farm Museum, P.O. Box 644, Route 125, Milton, NH 03851.