Benjamin Reed

Benjamin R. Reed of Stamford died peacefully surrounded by his wife and daughters on October 8, 2011 at the age of 88. He was born in Albany, New York on October 17, 1922 to the late Benjamin B. and Jane Reed.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jean Reed, his daughters, Mary Reed and husband Rodney Root, Katherine Reed, Pat Cornwall and her husband Bruce, and Elizabeth Hoadley and her husband Roger, as well as by his four grandsons, Devin and Liam Cornwall, and Clay and Oliver Hoadley, and his sister Jane Moore. His sister Mary McHugh and his brother Edward Reed predeceased him.

Benjamin was the Superintendent of Schools of Business for the Stamford School District from 1971 to 1987. Prior to that, he was the Assistant Superintendent for Business Affairs for the Ossining, New York School Public Schools, where he was also a high school teacher for many years. After his retirement, Benjamin became a school business administration consultant and worked with numerous school districts throughout Connecticut and New York.

Benjamin completed all but his dissertation in a doctoral program at NYU’s School of Education and received a Masters of Science degree as well as a Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York at Albany. He also studied at Dartmouth College, Columbia University, and Syracuse University.

A proud Marine, Benjamin enlisted in the service in 1943 and served in the American and Pacific Theaters. Later, he served for two years in Korea during the Korean War. He attained the rank of Captain.

During his retirement, Benjamin was an active member of the Marine Corp League in Stamford, the Stamford Men’s Club, and the Civil War Round Table of Fairfield County. In addition, he taught courses at the Lifetime Learners Institute at Norwalk Community College. His course Cultists, Terrorists and Spies was extremely popular. A longtime member of the Church of St Cecilia, Benjamin also served on its Finance Committee for many years.

A memorial service for Benjamin will be held on October 21 at 10AM at the Church of St Cecilia, 1184 Newfield Avenue, Stamford. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation and the American Heart Association. To leave an online condolence please visit www.leopgallagherstamford.com