Ed was born in Syracuse, Ne York, and attended Syracuse University for one year. He then entered the Navy during WWII and was stationed in San Diego and Pleasanton, California. He traveled up and down the California Coast on his leaves and developed a deep love for the state.
After the war, he returned to Syracuse University and met Florence Doris Bielen. In February 1949, he gave her his fraternity pin. She cherishes it and is wearing it today.
Ed and Flo were married July 1, 1950. He was offered a position at Lever Brothers in California as a chemical engineer. Their daughter, Christine, was born in 1951. Then they transferred back to New Jersey and in 1952 their daughter Kathleen was born.
He worked within the Research and Development team that developed and patented Imperial Margarine. Ed had nine patents in all, but the most memorable was the one for developing a proprietary oil blend for Kentucky Fried Chicken. As a result, Ed and Flo attended the KFC convention in Hawaii. He worked at Hunt-Wesson Foods for 27 years.
Christine and David Palmer were married in April 1982. They had one child, Kathleen Danielle, in 1985. Dave and Ed really bonded. Dave passed away in January 2005.
Ed’s beloved granddaughter Kathleen married Kevin Smith in April 2013. He has quickly become a member of our family.
You will always have a place in our hearts. Rest in peace.
- A scene from 1936: Sophie Lasica Jadenski (center) flanks daughters Wanda Jadenski Hintenberger, left, and Caroline Jadenski Bielen; in front, Doris Hintenberger (toddler) and Florence Bielen. The photo was taken at a park near Sophie’s house in Passaic, NJ.
- At Caroline and John Bielen’s 60th anniversary in Garfield, NJ, in July 1985, from left: Florence Bielen Reid, Edward Reid, Caroline and John, Peggy Rademacher Bielen and Robert Bielen.
- Ed and Florence Reid in May 2000, a few weeks before their 50th wedding anniversary.
- The front of the program for Edward J. Reid’s funeral service in 2015. The photo was taken in Assisi, Italy.
- The back of the funeral service program for Edward Reid, dancing with his wife, Florence.