09/03/2026
Today, we laid my beloved Uncle Henry L. Reid to rest. ❤️🕊️**
He had a beautiful homegoing service, and there was something incredibly special about hearing his family and friends share the many ways he touched our lives. Everyone had a story, a memory, or a moment that reminded us just how extraordinary he was.
Uncle Henry had a way of making **everyone feel special**. He affectionately called each person his *“favorite person,”* and somehow, when he said it, you truly believed you were. That was just who he was—genuine, loving, and intentional.
Today, people spoke about what a wonderful singer and karaoke crooner he was, his ability to truly listen, and his gift for storytelling. They spoke about his unconditional love for his family and his passion for Track & Field, especially the Penn Relays. But above all, everyone spoke about the tremendous love he had for his wife, Sheila, and his children—Lydia, Adrienne, Alaina, Stephen, and Henry Jr.—and his grandchildren, Sean, Milan, and Diamond.
To his friends, he was known as **Notch**. To all of us, he was everyone's favorite Uncle, Brother, Cousin, Neighbor, and Friend—and that wasn't just something we said. **It was the truth.**
My Uncle was truly a gem. He was as genuine as they come. If you ever had the pleasure of meeting him, you know that his stature, his voice, and his presence were felt the moment he walked into a room. He didn't have to demand attention. His presence simply **commanded it.**
The pain of losing him is immeasurable. But when I think about the loss, I also think about the incredible gift of having had the opportunity to create so many beautiful memories with him. And those memories will always extend far beyond the pain of this loss.
I can even sadly say that I am grateful my Dad, because of his Alzheimer's, won't remember tomorrow that his big brother is gone. Because if he were able to fully understand that his brother—and best friend—had passed away, I believe I would be losing him all over again.
That is the heartbreaking part of life: sometimes the people we love leave us, but the love, laughter, stories, and memories they gave us never do.
**Rest peacefully, Uncle Henry. ❤️
