Charles Joseph Reed, age 93, of Gloucester City, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on January 9, 2026, at Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden, New Jersey. Charles was raised in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, was a longtime resident of Gloucester City, New Jersey, and a graduate of Saint Mary’s High School in Gloucester City, New Jersey. He also completed some college coursework at Akron University.
Charles proudly served his country in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He entered the Navy right out of high school and served for three years, attaining the rank of EM2. During his service, he was awarded the Navy Occupation Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal. Charles was honorably discharged on June 3, 1954.
Charles had a career in both skilled sales and skilled trades. He began his professional life in sales with Fuller Brush, a company based in Hartford, Connecticut, with corporate operations also in Lakewood, New Jersey. He later worked in sales with Clowntown and Family Record Planning (both portrait companies) in Brecksville, Ohio. In addition to his sales career, Charles was professionally trained and certified as a Mercury Master Mechanic. He took great pride in his work and devoted significant time and care to his trade.
Charles was also a master fabric craftsman and was employed by Buckeye Mobile Canvas, a company specializing in custom boat covers and sails. His precision, dedication, and craftsmanship were evident in everything he did. Earlier in his life, Charles enjoyed racing as an amateur race car driver during the early 1960s in Washington State and Ohio, where he loved racing his Porsche and Fiat.
A devout Roman Catholic, Charles took his faith very seriously. He was a devoted and active parishioner of Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Gloucester City, where he was a daily communicant and faithfully led the rosary following daily Mass. Charles served as the church sacristan for many years and was deeply dedicated to ensuring the church was opened every morning at 7:00 a.m. and closed each afternoon, seven days a week. He also served as a Eucharistic Minister, bringing Holy Communion to the sick and shut-ins throughout Gloucester City and the surrounding area, especially those at Gorman Manor and Gloucester Towne. Charles’s Sunday routine began with early Mass and continued with visiting parishioners throughout the morning and early afternoon. No matter the season or weather, Charles was always there for the people he served.
After his military service, Charles developed a lifelong love of boats and sailing. He was an experienced boat captain who sailed to the Bahamas and throughout the Caribbean many times. He was instrumental in Gloucester City’s acquisition of the Northwind sailboat and proudly served as its captain for many years. Charles took this responsibility seriously and was known as a dedicated, professional captain who deeply respected the trust placed in him.
Charles was the devoted father of Charles (Vida) Joseph Reed II, of Bozeman, Montana; Thomas (Connie) Gerard Reed, of Cartersville, Georgia; and the late Mary Geralynne Reed. Adored and cherished grandfather of Thomas (Anna) Gerard Reed II, and Ashley (Thomas) Ann Riley, and by twelve great-nieces and nephews, as well as many great-great nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, Charles M. Reed and Thecla C. Reed (née Carr); his brother, Thomas F. Reed (survived by Kathleen); and his sisters, Catherine (John) Guinan and Dorothy T. (Edward) Schone.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his visitation at Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church from 9:00 to 10:15 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Inurnment will follow the Mass with his late mother, Thecla, with U.S. Navy Military Honors at New Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Bellmawr, New Jersey.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations in Charles’s memory be made to his beloved Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 426 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City, New Jersey 08030. Please write “Charles Joseph Reed” in the memo line.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.mccannhealey.com under the obituary of Charles Joseph Reed.
Funeral arrangements and inquiries are through McCann-Healey Funeral Home, Gloucester City, New Jersey. Phone: 856-456-1142
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