Lloyd Reed
Lloyd Hubert Reed, a Somers resident, died Sept. 1 at home. He had celebrated his 98th birthday on July 31.
Reed was born and raised in Washington D.C. He came from a long lineage of academics who were on the cutting edge of medicine, as well as agricultural and space science. He attended Dunbar High School and earned his undergraduate degree in political science at Howard University. He served in Italy in the Army during World War II.
After his Army service, he was accepted to and enrolled in Harvard Law School, graduating in 1949. As an attorney, Reed was employed by the Mutual of New York Insurance Company and worked in the real estate department in New York City. He retired as a senior vice president.
Reed was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and a lifetime member of the NAACP. In his younger days, he was an active community member, serving on the Board of Education in Greenburgh, where he and his family lived, and many other organizations, including the Urban League. As a Heritage Hills resident for 31 years, he was a founding member of At Home in Somers, a group dedicated to helping town residents remain in their homes as they age. He was also involved with his condominium board in the past.
Reed was a lifelong learner and an avid reader until becoming legally blind. He loved classical literature and studying birds and nature. He also took many courses through The Great Courses company on a variety of subjects including physics, music and the universe. Lloyd also enjoyed gardening and plants. He loved all kinds of music – classical, jazz, big band and blues. Politics was a strong interest of his and he followed the news closely.
Reed, who was affectionately known as Poppy to family members, was adored. He was very family oriented, loving and generous. The family considers him a role model.
He was predeceased by his parents, Eleanor and George Reed; his sister, Phyllis; his brother, George Jr.; and his wife of 64 years, June. Left to cherish his memory are his children Rebecca Colby Walker (Jerry) and Lloyd Allan Reed (Karyn); his grandchildren, Jerome, Safiya, Leisa (Gaetan), Devin (Frehiwot), David (Lee-Sean), Jared and Olivia (Aaron); his great-grandchildren, Byron, Cynthia (Stephen), Jasmin, Imani, Jamil, Jayla, Jade, Angela, Tania, James, Jahai, Nyah and his youngest great-grandchild, Cameron; several nieces and nephews; and some special friends. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.
