In Celebration of
Cyril F Reid
August 11, 1928 -
December 16, 2022
Cyril F Reid, 94 passed away peacefully on Dec 16, 2022 in Montreal after a long and interesting life. He leaves behind his sister, Anne Lawlor (Reid) of St. John’s, NL, numerous nieces and nephews and many close friends. He is predeceased by his mother Sarah Reid (Howe), his father Cyril Reid and his eleven brothers and sisters.
Uncle Cyril, to those who had the pleasure of knowing him, was born in Emerald Vale, Newfoundland. His love of literature, poetry and the classics led him, in his late teens, to Pennsylvania, USA where he completed his classical education at a seminary.
Upon leaving the seminary, Uncle Cyril spent short periods employed as a School Principal in Baie Verte, Newfoundland and a civilian Logistics Officer for the US military in Goose Bay, before moving on to Montreal in 1954 to work for an investment firm.
After a long and prosperous career in finance, Uncle Cyril retired in 1989 and for the next 30 years travelled around the world on cruises, seeing everything that he had read about as a young man.
During his life he owned homes in the Laurentians, Montreal and St. Albans, Vermont where he had many friends.
Uncle Cyril was noted for his knowledge of poetry and English literature and often recited many lengthy poems by heart.
Although Uncle Cyril often said that he had a wonderful life and asked that we not be sad when he left, his humor, kindness and generosity will be missed by everyone. A poem very dear to his heart explains fully his sentiment about his passing.
Immortality (by Clare Harner)
Do not stand
By my grave, and weep.
I am not there,
I do not sleep—
I am the thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints in snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle, autumn rain.
As you awake with morning’s hush,
I am the swift, up-flinging rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight,
I am the day transcending night.
Do not stand
By my grave, and cry—
I am not there,
I did not die.
Rest well Uncle Cyril… you went many miles before you slept… you went many miles before you slept.