Francis G. "Frank" Reid, Jr.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Francis Gerard “Frank” Reid, Jr., 62, of Findlay, IL, on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital in Shelbyville, IL.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 2, 2025, in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL. At 7:00 p.m., immediately following the visitation, the Shelby County Honor Guard will present the flag and Pastor Mike Reynolds will share memories of Frank. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Shelby County Honor Guard. Burial will take place in Evergreen Cemetery, Lee, New York.

Frank was born on April 22, 1963, in Gulfport, Mississippi, the son of Francis Gerard, Sr. and Rosemary Ann (Guida) Reid. Frank proudly served in the United States Navy as a power equipment technician on the flight deck of aircraft carriers. Upon his honorable discharge, Frank returned home to New York state where he continued to develop his expertise in mechanics, genuinely loving the challenge of diagnostics in his field and teaching those interested in learning.

He began working for Irby Utilities in Syracuse NY on January 17, 2003. In 2018, Frank was transferred to Irby in Shelbyville, IL, where he was named branch manager in 2024. Upon his arrival to Shelbyville, he married his best friend and love, Jennifer Joan (St. Denis) Fortino on November 2, 2018, after realizing they did not want miles to ever separate them. They resided in rural Findlay, IL where Frank immensely enjoyed working on a variety of projects around his homestead.

While words will never fully encapsulate the man that Frank was, his hobbies and interests helped define, in part, the essence of his life story and character. In addition to being a skilled mechanic and carpenter, Frank was also a master chef. He delighted and took great pride in preparing and sharing delicious and creative foods with his family and friends. To sit at his table was a privilege, as everything he prepared was done with his vast skills and boundless love. His lifetime of cultivating a multitude of talents enabled him to leave a lasting mark on many, because his generosity compelled him to help others whenever he could. Frank also enjoyed (with great emphasis) cookies, reading about an abundance of different topics, and playful teasing with his kids, grandkids and dogs. Frank will forever be remembered for his boundless wisdom, as well as his superpower to effortlessly and spontaneously make others laugh. To know him was to love and adore him, and he will leave an indelible impression on those fortunate enough to call him husband, son, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin, friend, mentor or coworker. Frank’s spirit, smile and heart captivated everyone fortunate enough to know him.

Frank is survived by his loving wife, Jennifer; parents, Francis, Sr. and Rosemary Reid of Rome, NY; siblings, Colleen Vernold (Eric) of Rome, NY, Daniel Reid of West Monroe, NY, and Alisa Reid of Rome, NY; mother-in-law, Diane Clark of Cicero, NY; sister-in-law, Jill Coleman (John) of North Syracuse, NY; stepchildren, Aaron Cousineau (Danielle) of Liverpool, NY, Vannessa Mallinger (Joe) of Phoenix, NY and Joseph Fortino of Solvay, NY; step-grandchildren, Bryonna and Erin “Stink” Cousineau and Michael and Hank Mallinger; several nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog, Ethel.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Eileen M. (Hotaling) Reid in 2014; and father-in-law, Richard Clark.

In the hope of enhancing the lives of others, Frank was a tissue donor with Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network.