Herbert William Reith, Jr.

Herbert William Reith, Jr., 92, passed away, Wednesday, July 12, 2017. A native of Brooklyn, NY, Herb was the son of the late Herbert W. and Dorothy Bayliss Reith and was also preceded in death by his first wife, Mae Schuebel Reith, a daughter, Hollie Jefferies and two sons, Ronald J. Reith and Herbert W. “Bert” Reith, III. Herb was a Coast Guard Veteran, a member of St. Barnabas Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and a retired electrical engineer with the New York Telephone Company. He was a member of many veterans’ organizations including the American Legion, the DAV, a lifelong member of the VFW and the Catholic War Veterans. He was past Chair of the Buncombe County Veterans Council, a member of the Fleet Reserve Assn., served as a Chaplain at the VA Hospital and was a National Service Officer from 1981 until 2008.He was a former member of the Board of Directors of the Long Island Lutheran High School, was an Eagle Scout with 3 clusters, a former Boy Scout Leader and Sea Scout Leader. He also was former owner of Pelican Pools and Harbor Pools. Herb is survived by his wife, Susan J. LeBeau Reith; two sons, Paul A. Reith of Asheville and Richard W. Reith and his wife, Patricia B. Reith, of Atlanta, GA, twelve grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren and one brother, Robert Reith. A Funeral Mass will be said at 10:00 am Monday at St. Barnabas Catholic Church with interment to follow, with military rites, in the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain. A rosary will be said at 4:00 pm Sunday with visitation following until 6 pm at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.