Paul W. Reed, 95

Paul W. Reed, 95, passed away Friday, April 13, 2012.

Born June 10, 1916, in Montrose, Pa., to William Reed and Ella Stuber, Reed lived most of his early life in Reading, Pa. He spent his early years working for Penn Optical. He was an avid swimmer and a competitive water-polo player. His passion was fishing.

Reed was called to serve in World War II from 1941 to 1945 as a member of the Third Army, 9th Armored Division. He crossed the English Channel to Normandy a few days after D-Day. He served in the Battle of the Bulge under Gen. George Patton. Reed’s tank battalion was among the first American troops to cross the Rhine River into Germany, capturing the Ludendorff Bridge and Remagen. He was in what is now the Czech Republic when Germany surrendered.

Reed met and married Margaret Jane Leslie from Killybegs, Ireland, who was studying to be a nurse in Salisbury, England. They sailed back to the U.S. on the Cunard twin sister ships the Queen Mary and the Queen Elizabeth.

Reed worked for the Continental Can Company until 1958, when his love for fishing got the best of him. He moved to Millsboro, Del., and fished the Indian River and Dodd’s Pond until he was no longer able. Margaret Reed passed away in 2006. Reed was a member and past-president of the Millsboro VFW.

Reed is survived by his sons Pete of Bear, Del., and Shaun and his wife, Terri, of Garner, N.C.; and his grandchildren, Meg, Beth and Brian.

A funeral service was scheduled for April 23, 2012, at Watson Funeral Home, with interment at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, both in Millsboro, Del.