Everett E. Reed, Sr., 85, longtime resident of Southern Avenue, Essex, died Sunday, October 9, 2017 In Essex Park Rehabilitation Center, Beverly, following his long illness.

Born April 11, 1932 in Ipswich son of the late Ellsworth K. and Florence H. (Steeves) Reed, he was raised in Essex and was a 1950 graduate of Gloucester High School. He  soon  entered the Army, and served in Korea at the time of the conflict. Following his honorable discharge he went on to attend the University of Minnesota for a year, then  returned to Essex where he married and raised  a family.

Everett  worked as a self-employed shellfish harvester and dealer. For many years he owned and operated The Reed Shellfish Company of Essex.

As a younger man he enjoyed fishing, camping, golfing and bowling with the Essex Men’s League in Ipswich. Everett also loved his dogs, all  dogs, including the dogs of Seabrook which he knew all too well.

He is survived by four sons, Everett E. Reed, Jr. and his partner, Liz Sparkowich of Portland, ME, Donald E. Reed and his wife Katherine of Essex, Barry E. Reed and his wife Amy of Homestead, FL, and Scott E. Reed and his partner Nancy Cohen of Essex; a daughter, Vanessa A. Reed and her partner Rick Buczko of Essex and seven grandchildren, Wesley, Emily, Sasha, Bryan, Kayla, Jake and Sam Reed.

Everett was the husband of the late Donna J. McLeod, mother of his four sons, Muriel McComiskey, mother of his daughter and the late Lynne Mason. He also leaves his “granddogs” Mr. Murphy, Teddy and Homer. He was predeceased by his K-9 love, Maggie.

Private arrangements are under the direction of the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home of Ipswich. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to Cape Ann Animal Shelter, 4 Paws Lane, Gloucester, MA 01930.