Jacob Francis Reith

Jacob "Jack" Reith, 89, of Punta Gorda, FL departed this life on December 29, 2013. He was born June 23, 1924 in the Bronx, NY and brought up in Edgewater, NJ on a houseboat on the Hudson River. Part of Jack's youth was spent in the hills of VT and the Christian Orphan Home in Edgewater with his three younger brothers. Jack joined the CCC's to help his mother financially, and was a proud veteran of WWII serving in France and Germany. Jack's field of occupation was the machine tool business traveling all over the world for his duties as Sales Manager, VP of Sales and President of Sales. In retirement, Jack pursued his love of painting watercolors, his writing and poetry and serving as President of the Peace River Center for Writers. Jack was also involved heavily in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Charlotte County serving as their President for three years. Jack loved to golf and was President of a men's group at the former Kings Island of Port Charlotte. He faithfully attended the First Methodist Church of Punta Gorda.

He is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Debra Reith; his son, Ronald Reith of Denville, NJ; grandchildren, Daryl (Randy) Kwiatkoski of Byfield, MA, Dana (Larry) Hurtado of Mahwah, NJ and Bob (Alexandria) Corcoran of Ramsey, NJ; seven great grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be celebrated at 11:00 am, Saturday January 11, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church of Punta Gorda, 507 W. Marion St., Punta Gorda. A Funeral Service was held January 4 in Fairlawn, NJ. Burial with military honors was at the George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, NJ. In lieu of flowers, it would please Jack to know that orphaned and needy children are still being helped by your contributions in his name to the Florida United Methodist Children's Home, 51 Children's Way, Enterprise, FL 32725.