Brian Thomas Reed

Brian Thomas Reed passed away on Friday, October 24 following a progressive illness. He was born December 16,1955, in Newark, NJ to Yvonne “Eve” Malavarca Reed and William “Billy” Reed. His father was a fireman who died in the line of duty in Newark when Brian was a young boy. He was the youngest of 4 children having three older sisters.  

Brian was a big man with a bigger heart full of generosity and kindness. He enjoyed jamming Rock n Roll songs on his guitar which he kept in the back of his car. He wrote and performed music and played gigs throughout Jersey under the name “Just North” and recorded the album “Stoker”. His wife Kim was lead vocals. He preferred the company of animals, including his dogs Tequila and Zeus and also valued quiet and solitude. He especially enjoyed hunting, fishing, time outdoors and “good flicks”. He showed up big time for his nephews and niece when their father died bringing them on many hunting and deep-sea fishing trips. One of his favorite adventures was a recent elk trip to Utah. 

Brian was a man who valued family above all else with an especially close relationship with his mother who passed in 2006. He stayed connected to family dispersed across the country and especially cherished Christmas with them, a holiday he made a point never to miss despite needing to travel. He enjoyed baking tarralli’s and biscotti, his grandmother’s recipe. He would lead family sing-a-longs to classic carols as well as Rock n’ Roll tunes by Jethro Tull and Led Zeppelin. He was the first in line predictably every year on Christmas Eve at Sergio’s Italian deli and was also predictably chastised by his sister’s for bringing too many pastries and cheese to the party “Who’s gonna eat that all, Bri ?!”; Sfogliatelle, Cannoli, Tiramisu, fresh mozzarella. He would show up to Christmas with contractor bags full of presents including some for the family pets too, of course. 

Brian was a wild man in his younger years hitchhiking across the country in the 70’s with his guitar in hand wearing moccasins, a brown suede fringe coat and hippie beads and garnered the nickname “Tumbleweed”. He developed a close relationship to God and the Bible in his middle life and often prided himself by how much he had “mellowed out”. He treated people with great kindness and respect and had an appreciation for diversity and different cultures. He was a man with contradictions too, open and able to change while also steadfast in his convictions. He worked as a longshoreman loading trucks and was a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. In retirement, he took up baking while also enjoying his vast collection of DVDs.

Brian was predeceased by his parents, his sister Dianne Seemann and her husband Joseph; a brother in law Paul Cullen; and nephew Ralph Suozzo. He leaves behind his sisters Cynthia Cullen of Rockaway, NJ, Karyn Suozzo and husband Joseph of Beford, NH. He also leaves behind his niece MaryRose Cullen of Rockaway, NJ and his nephews Nicholas Cullen of Belfast, Maine, Sean Cullen of Kodiak, AK, Joseph Suozzo Jr. of Bedford, NH, and Randy Suozzo of Bedford, NH. He also leaves behind 9 great nieces and nephews whom he loved to deliver Georgia peaches to when visiting from North Carolina. 

The family would like to especially thank Brian’s neighbors Sandy and Jeff Wiles who in Brian’s final months selflessly offered their care, love and support with grace and humor during a difficult time.  

In lieu of flowers, please consider offering an act of love or kindness to someone in Brian’s memory. 

“Hot Damn”.