Reed, Dean

Dean E. Reed, age 51, of Wilmington, formerly of Lowell and Bedford, died unexpectedly on September 8, 2008 at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington.

Dean was the dear son of Audrey (Flewelling) Reed and the late Clarence Reed of Wilmington. He was born on June 10, 1957, in Puerto Rico, where his family was stationed. They moved to Bedford in 1965, where Dean attended grammar school. Dean went to high school at Shawsheen Valley Tech in Billerica. As a young boy, Dean was involved in Boy Scouts, played softball, and was a member of the Drum & Bugle Corp. Following High School, Dean enlisted in the United States Army and served his country from 1978 until he was honorably discharged in 1982. Dean had a unique sense of patriotism and he proudly wore his uniform.

Dean lived in Lowell for many years and had been a resident of Wilmington since 1993. He was employed as a truck driver at Old Dominion Freight Line for many years and more recently was an instructor at the New England Tractor Trailer School. In his spare time Dean enjoyed being a scout leader for his son and a member of the Wilmington Minutemen. He loved remote control airplanes, golf, and playing his harmonica and guitar. Dean will be remembered for his laughter, music, love of life, and dedication to his family.

Dean was the beloved husband of Linda W. (Waterman) Reed of Wilmington, devoted father of Dean, Jr. & Nicole of Lowell, Lorraine, John, Jake, & Ann Marie all of Wilmington, loving grandfather of Jason & Freddie, dear brother of Mark E. Reed & his wife Ruth of Wilmington and Gary E. Reed & his wife Lisa of Bedford, son-in-law of John Waterman of Wilmington, brother-in-law of Robert & John Waterman both of Wilmington, and Carrol Rexrode of Stoneham. Dean is also survived by many nieces, nephews, & friends.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 13th, at the Wilmington Congregational Church, 220 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington, at 10:00 a.m. Interment Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington. Visiting hours at the Nichols Funeral Home, Inc., 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, on Friday, September 12th 4-8 p.m.

Memorial donations in Dean's name may be made to Local Heroes Inc., P. O. Box 536, Wilmington, MA 01887.

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