Scott William Reich

SHORT HILLS, NJ. Scott William Reich died April 17, 2020, peacefully at home, cared for in his final days by his devoted parents, Mary Jo and David Reich. Born November 22, 1988 in Morristown, New Jersey, Scott faced many challenges in his life as a result of being born with Mucolipidosis Type IV (“ML4”). Scott could not walk or talk or see, but was quite intelligent and understood far more than what was easily apparent.

Despite his disabilities, Scott made an indelible impression. Two words capture Scott’s essence: Pure Love. People were drawn to Scott by his warm, cheerful and engaging personality, marked by his beautiful smile, infectious sense of humor, deep belly laughs, and incredibly strong hugs. He loved music and quickly recognized hundreds of songs. Scott enjoyed his life to the fullest extent possible. With his Mom, Dad and sister, Scott particularly enjoyed family dinners at home (especially his Mom’s banana cream and key lime pies), eating in fine restaurants, going to rock concerts, and listening to music while taking long walks in the neighborhood or floating for hours in his backyard pool.

Through his enormous drive and spirit, Scott was able to escape the confines of his wheelchair. He learned to take steps with his Dad’s assistance and later could propel himself in a gait trainer steered by his Dad. With the gait trainer, Scott achieved distances of a quarter of a mile or more. For Scott, this was the aerobic equivalent of a three-mile jog. Scott was enormously proud of that accomplishment. Scott treasured his annual vacation on Long Beach Island. Scott would don a life jacket, sit in a large inner tube, its handles held on each side by his Dad and a helpful volunteer, and adventure well out into the Atlantic Ocean, enjoying the experience as the waves lapped over him and the sun shone upon him.

Part of Scott’s legacy is his contribution to scientific research conducted at the National Institute of Neurological Disease and Stroke that led to the identification of the ML4 gene in 2001, as a result of which accurate carrier testing and prenatal screening now are available.

Scott’s family wishes to acknowledge the help and support from the Center for Hope, Hospice & Palliative Care, Scotch Plains, New Jersey, during Scott’s final days, as well as the love and care he received from his many caregivers at Whippany House and the WAE Center over the last nine years.

Scott also is survived by his loving sister, Ronni Jane Reich, his brother-in-law, Noah Stern Weber, his niece, Tatiana Mae Stern Weber, and his grandmother, Ruth Reich, as well as uncles, aunts, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held virtually on Monday, April 20, 2020, at 1:00 p.m., with Rabbi Geoffrey Spector, Temple Beth Shalom, Livingston, New Jersey, officiating. Burial will be private at Beth El Cemetery, Washington Township, New Jersey. Later, there will be a celebration of Scott’s life at the time his headstone is unveiled. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Mucolipidosis Type IV Foundation, www.ml4.org, to the Center for Hope, www.cfhh.org, or to a worthy charity of choice. Scott’s family will observe a period of virtual Shiva and may be telephoned at their home during the following times:

Monday, April 20, 3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 21, 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, April 22, 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 23, 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Friday, April 24, 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.