Donald M. Reid

Donald M. Reid, loving brother, caring mentor, and often, the last best hope for hundreds of youngsters who needed the firm and understanding hand of guidance, died on April 11, 2016. His lasting impact on the lives of these individuals cannot be measured. He will be remembered with affection, admiration and respect. Don was raised in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. He was one of six siblings, the son of Andrew and Irene (Williams) Reid. Don was the twin of Thomas, and brother to four other siblings, including Robert (deceased), Carol (Kerr), Patrick and John. He graduated from St. Paul Catholic High School in Grosse Pointe. Following high school graduation, he entered the Dominican Order of the Roman Catholic Church, attending Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, where he was known as Brother Louis. For health reasons, Don returned to Michigan where he earned a bachelor of arts degree and a master of arts degree in psychology from the University of Detroit. He also received a master's degree from the University of Michigan. His Roman Catholic faith was the foundation of Don's life and his work. He was immensely proud of his Irish heritage. A favorite uncle of many nieces and nephews as well as grandnieces and grandnephews, Don faithfully remembered the important, special events in their lives - birthdays, christenings, first communions, confirmations, graduations, and marriages. He was loved by each of them. Don enriched the lives of those whose paths crossed his, either by happenstance or intent. He had an innate desire to help others that seemed never to be satisfied. He was especially sensitive to the needs of youngsters and took hundreds of them under his wing, guiding them to lead productive lives as adults. Many of them remain his close friends today. His profession as a clinical psychologist led Don to the Boys and Girls Club of Oakland and Macomb Counties in the 1960s, where he was the impetus behind the Club's participation in national programs such as Youth of the Year and the Keystone Club, a leadership development program. Don was proud of the meetings he and "his youths" from the local community enjoyed in the Oval Office, twice with President Ronald Regan and once with President George H. W. Bush in connection with Youth of the Year programs. He served at the Club until the early 1990s. For more than 20 years, Don was the school psychologist at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Bloomfield Hills, where he "tested, counseled, advised, supported and encouraged so many" in the school community. He was still serving students and families at the school at the time of his death. The legacy of this beloved brother, friend, counselor, and community leader will continue because of the foundation he established. And, while we all will be the poorer for Don Reid's absence, his presence will be felt for decades into the future. Memorial gifts in honor of Don Reid may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Oakland and Macomb Counties, 1545 E. Lincoln Avenue, Royal Oak, MI 48067 or Assumption Grotto Catholic Church, 13770 Gratiot Avenue, Detroit, MI 48205

Donald M. Reid

October 10, 1936 - April 11, 2016