Obituary for Les Reid
LES REID
Les Reid was born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina on November 18, 1952 and was a much beloved son of the late Helen Johnson Reid. Les was raised in the Bronx, New York with his sister and two brothers. He graduated from the High School of Music and Arts, now known as Fiorella LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts, where he learned to read and write music and play several instruments.
In many ways Les was a renaissance man. He developed a passion for music early in life and became an accomplished musician. Les also had very diverse interests including traveling, spending time with family and friends, collecting cars and later in life, home improvement.
Professionally, Les began working at an early age in a range of industries including as a seamstress, musician and songwriter. It was his work with the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) however, where he spent over 20 years working in various capacities. He ultimately retired as a bus driver in 2008 after having a successful career and developing countless friendships that lasted a lifetime. Following his retirement, Les ventured out of New York spent his remaining years in Virginia where he made a home for himself.
Les was charming, a great conversationalist, had a sense of humor and always had a word of advice to give a listening ear. He was a loyal friend to those who were lucky enough to know him both in New York and throughout the country. To his family he was a constant presence and generous beyond words. For those that knew Les, his gentle presence, intellect, infectious laugh and especially, his very distinguishable voice - hello - will forever be etched in their hearts and never forgotten.
On December 15, 2020 Les was unexpectedly called home to be with the Lord. He will sorely missed and forever cherished by those who loved him. Les was predeceased by his mother Helen and younger brother Robert, He is survived by his sister Giovanna (David, deceased), his brother Donald (Linda), his nieces and nephews Angela (Douglas), Karige Emil (Amy), Joanna, Donald Jr. (Cindy) and Tamika; his great-nieces and nephews Jazmin, Joycelynn, Thalia, Noah, Laila, Tory and Christopher; his aunts Evelyn and Mary (James); his cousins Thelma, Beverly, Jacqueline (Nate), Tony (deceased), Llewelyn, Hakim (Ayisha), Aishah (Clinton, deceased), Tonya (Edward), Gregory, Marcus, Tonaya, Asia, Aya, Brice, Aaliyah and Jaime, as well as a host of additional family members and friends in New York, North Carolina, Virginia and beyond. All of them will cherish their precious memories of Les forever.
Lovingly Submitted by The Family
Les Reid was born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina on November 18, 1952 and was a much beloved son of the late Helen Johnson Reid. Les was raised in the Bronx, New York with his sister and two brothers. He graduated from the High School of Music and Arts, now known as Fiorella LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts, where he learned to read and write music and play several instruments.
In many ways Les was a renaissance man. He developed a passion for music early in life and became an accomplished musician. Les also had very diverse interests including traveling, spending time with family and friends, collecting cars and later in life, home improvement.
Professionally, Les began working at an early age in a range of industries including as a seamstress, musician and songwriter. It was his work with the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) however, where he spent over 20 years working in various capacities. He ultimately retired as a bus driver in 2008 after having a successful career and developing countless friendships that lasted a lifetime. Following his retirement, Les ventured out of New York spent his remaining years in Virginia where he made a home for himself.
Les was charming, a great conversationalist, had a sense of humor and always had a word of advice to give a listening ear. He was a loyal friend to those who were lucky enough to know him both in New York and throughout the country. To his family he was a constant presence and generous beyond words. For those that knew Les, his gentle presence, intellect, infectious laugh and especially, his very distinguishable voice - hello - will forever be etched in their hearts and never forgotten.
On December 15, 2020 Les was unexpectedly called home to be with the Lord. He will sorely missed and forever cherished by those who loved him. Les was predeceased by his mother Helen and younger brother Robert, He is survived by his sister Giovanna (David, deceased), his brother Donald (Linda), his nieces and nephews Angela (Douglas), Karige Emil (Amy), Joanna, Donald Jr. (Cindy) and Tamika; his great-nieces and nephews Jazmin, Joycelynn, Thalia, Noah, Laila, Tory and Christopher; his aunts Evelyn and Mary (James); his cousins Thelma, Beverly, Jacqueline (Nate), Tony (deceased), Llewelyn, Hakim (Ayisha), Aishah (Clinton, deceased), Tonya (Edward), Gregory, Marcus, Tonaya, Asia, Aya, Brice, Aaliyah and Jaime, as well as a host of additional family members and friends in New York, North Carolina, Virginia and beyond. All of them will cherish their precious memories of Les forever.
Lovingly Submitted by The Family