Obituary of Cornelius J. Reid

Cornelius Joseph Reid Jr. of Mill Neck, New York passed away on November 9, 2017.  Born in Mineola, New York on March 25, 1924, he was the oldest son of Cornelius J. and Muriel J. Reid. He was a graduate of Kent School, class of 1942 and Cornell University class of 1949.  In World War II he served in the 228th artillery battalion, XIX Corps from Normandy to the Elbe River, Germany. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant of the Army in 1948.

He was married to Edwina  O'Shea of New York City for 42 years. He was previously married to Frances Hardin of Chester, New Jersey for 24 years until her death in 1974.  He had four children from his marriage to Frances Hardin:  Cornelius Joseph Reid III,  David Hardin Reid, Frances Elizabeth Reid, and Andrew Cooper Reid, and from his marriage to Edwina, two stepsons, Andrew Lawrence Quigley, and David William Quigley. He had 5 daughters-in-law whom he loved too, Judy (sadly deceased), Maggie, Jessie, Sarah, and Christina. His 13 grandchildren  in age order are Will, Cooper, Nick, Tyler, Mollie,  Dana, Cesca, Gaela, Reid, Luke, Lila, Sage, and Andrew, and he loved them dearly.  He is also survived by two sisters, Cordelia McCuaig and Pamela Trippe.

In 1949 he joined the family insurance brokerage firm, CJ Reid & Co., which became Reid & Carr, Inc. in 1968.  He served as Chairman/ CEO until 1973 when the firm merged with Rollins Burdick Hunter Co. (RBH) at which time he became a director of RBH, and CEO of the New York office.  In 1982, RBH was acquired by AON, and he continued his employment as Vice Chairman of AON insurance services until his death.  He was a member of Lloyds of London for 20 years.

He was a trustee of the Village of Mill Neck, and served as Chairman of the Zoning Board for 36 years. 

He was a member of the The Creek Club, Piping Rock Club, National Golf Links of America, Royal St. George's Golf Club, The Union League Club, and Blooming Grove Hunting and Fishing Club.  He was also a member of the US Seniors Golf Association.

His service will be held at St. John's of Lattingtown in Lattingtown, NY on November 21, 2017 at 11a.m. Arrangements entrusted to Dodge-Thomas Funeral Home of Glen Cove. Interment private.  In lieu of flowers, a gift in his memory may be sent to Kent School (PO Box 2006, Kent, CT 06757),  or Cornell University (130 E. Seneca St., Ithaca, NY 14850.) www.DodgeThomas.com