Thomas Michael Reid

On December 12, 2021, at the age of 85, Thomas Michael Reid of Grosse Pointe Michigan passed into eternal life. Tom was dedicated to his family, the Carmelite Order, and the greater community in many ways and will be greatly missed.

Thomas was born on October 10, 1936 to Andrew and Irene (née Williams) Reid.

Tom was an athlete to his core, passionate with baseball and horseback riding.

Love of the equine won out. Tom owned several horses and was often seen in the ring, riding and show jumping.

Tom graduated from law school and practiced corporate law. After becoming a father of six beautiful children, the horses were traded in for the building of a new home where they lived from 1973 until 1996 on Brewer Road, Leonard, MI.

Later in life, he felt called to a religious lay order and a deepening of his spiritual faith that he found through the Discalced Carmelite Lay Order and their community.

For 30 years he studied the great doctors of the church including Saint Teresa of Avila, Saint John of the Cross and Saint Therese of Lisieux along with Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

Tom was extremely dedicated to his family and took great enjoyment through singing beside his wife, Gwen, in the Rochester Catholic Chorale, the Jackson Chorale, and Assumption Grotto in Detroit, Michigan. His children and beloved wife, Gwendolyn, will always remember many Christmas Eves where it was the beautiful Irish tenor voice of our beloved Tom singing “Oh Holy Night “.

Once Tom and Gwen downsized and moved to Rochester Hills, Michigan, Tom thoroughly embraced entertaining all 12 of his grandchildren, and their parents, while handling arbitration, estate planning; many of which were pro bono. Tom also loved golfing with Gwen and traveling throughout Michigan.

After retiring from law, Tom continued his spiritual journey which brought him to the publication of five books ranging from the Beatitudes to the Dark Night of St. Teresa of Calcutta. His study guides of Saint John of the Cross were published in several languages and distributed throughout the world.

The last chapter of Tom’s life was spent in Saint Clair Shores, Michigan, living closer to several of his children and their families. Family was at the core of Tom’s being.

Tom is survived by his beloved wife Gwendolyn Rosemary (née Herald) who he married in 1972 on St. Patrick’s Day. He is also survived by four daughters Colleen Marie Affeldt of Dallas Texas, Erin Maureen – (Brandon) Bliss of Dallas Texas, Sandra Hollerbach Reid of Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan, and Suzanne Hollerbach (Dr. Eric )Nelson of Pewaukee, Wisconsin.

Tom has two sons: Patrick Hollerbach Reid of Harrison Township and Lawrence Hollerbach (Lori) Reid of Grosse Pointe Farms.

He has 12 grandchildren:

Emily, Sarah, Isaiah, Benjamin, Abigail, Sam, Jacob, Simon, Annie, Haranath, Margaret Mary, and Joseph, along with Great grandchild Azalea Elizabeth.

He is also survived by his siblings Patrick, Carol Kerr, and Jack (Lisa) Reid along with many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death were Andrew and Irene, Robert, and Donald Reid.

Visitation will be at AH Peter‘s Funeral Home in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan on December 27th from 3 to 8 PM with rosary at 7 PM. Burial of Christian Rite will be at Assumption Grotto Catholic Church in Detroit, Michigan at 10 AM on December 28, 2021.

Mass Intentions or Memorial Donations in this name may be directed to Solanus Casey Center, 1780 Mount Elliott Street, Detroit, Michigan 48207 US, https://www.solanuscenter.org/ways-to-help/donations; and Carmelite Order, 35750 Moravian Drive, Clinton Township, Michigan 48035 US.