James C. Reid

James (Jim) Crawford Reid, Sr. passed away on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at Alaris at Cedar Grove, Cedar Grove, NJ.  He was 93 years old.

A Funeral Mass will be offered on

Tuesday, June 5, 2018 in St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny, NJ at 11:00 AM. 

The family will receive visitors in the sanctuary beginning at 9:30 AM.

Jim, the son of Scottish immigrants, William and Jemima Reid (nee Kidney) from Dundee, was born on December 15, 1924 in Kearny, NJ where his parents permanently settled and raised a family. 

Jim was one of six children. 

He developed a lifelong passion for the game of tennis, passed on to him from his older brother Bill, an accomplished player. 

He was a member of the Arlington Players Club in Kearny, NJ for many years along with his wife Dorothy. Many happy times were spent playing on the courts at APC or sitting on the porch watching matches.

Jim and Dorothy played for years at the Tiger Racquet Club in Secaucus, NJ and while in Florida Jim participated in doubles play at both Hunters Ridge Golf and Country Club and Imperial Racquet Club.

Jim was a talented singer and also loved to dance with his beloved wife Dorothy.

In his younger years, Jim and some of his oldest, closest friends played golf at a weekend outing in Shawnee, PA,  “The Crawford Classic” aptly name after Jim’s middle name.

Many wonderful times and friendships were celebrated at this annual event , the winner the proud recipient of a trophy and the the official Crawford Classic cape until next year’s tournament. He was also a former member of the Forest Hill Field Club in Belleville, NJ.

Jim and Dorothy also enjoyed playing bridge and hosted many bridge club games at their home with friends. 

After graduating from Kearny High School in 1942, Jim served in the United States Coast Guard honorably discharged in 1946, during which time he was stationed in both San Francisco and Red Hook Brooklyn where part of his training included boxing matches under his Commanding Officer  the legendary Jack Dempsey.

Jim’s career in the automobile industry spanned well over 50 years.

His early beginnings at Eckhart Nash, working in the parts department, most notable because it was there that he met Dorothy Shurr, the love of his life.

In the early 1950’s when he opened the doors of Reid Oldsmobile in Rutherford, NJ  he was the youngest Oldsmobile franchise owner in the country. Unfortunately, a fire destroyed his business in December of 1956.

He went onto work for Reiman Pontiac in Paterson, NJ for several years until 1969 when he assumed the role of General  Manager of DeMassi Cadillac in Lyndhurst, NJ until 1985.

Over the course of his almost 63-year marriage to Dorothy, Jim raised 5 children and made many wonderful friendships and acquaintances from Montclair, Kearny, Normandy Beach and Bonita Springs, Florida where they maintained residences over many years of their marriage.

Jim was a leader of song at his parish, St. Stephen’s Church in Kearny, NJ where he married Dorothy on February 3, 1951.

Jim is survived by his children,

James Reid, Jr. and wife Hannah,

Jane Hurley and husband Robert,

Diane Pettigrew and husband James,

William Reid and wife Anne and

Christopher Reid and wife Lauren.

He was the grandfather of Kristen, Ryan, Jennifer, Kyle, William, Jr., Jack and Madeline.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife Dorothy (nee Shurr) Reid and his siblings, William Reid, Thora McColley, Georgina (Ina) Marcello, Maybelle Brain and David Reid.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to The Arlington Players Club, 12 Washington Place Kearny, NJ 07032.

The family has established a GoFundMe page for donations see attached link:

https://www.gofundme.com/james-c-reid-sr-memorial-fbo-apc

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