Sheridan Edward (Ed) Reaver, Sr. passed away peacefully at home from colon cancer on March 3. Ed was predeceased by his son, Christopher Reaver, his grandson, Eliot Kelly, his parents, (Sheridan and Helen), 3 brothers and 2 sisters.
He is survived by his loving wife (his high school sweetheart), Helen (Wivell) of almost 65 years; his children; Janet (Carmel Kelly), Sheridan Edward, Jr. (Anne), Matt (Anne), Greg (Tina), Mary Anne (David Shields), Chris’ wife, Mandi, Laura (Ron Dillman), Vince (Cathy), Brian (Susan); 25 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren; his sisters, Judy Ashcroft and Kate Brown, sister-in-law, Marlene Reaver, as well as numerous in laws, nieces and nephews.
Ed grew up in Keymar and attended St Joseph Catholic grade school in Taneytown, and St Joseph High School.
His places of employment were Cambridge Rubber Co., Taneytown, and then he became a sewing machine mechanic (the best around), working for Sagner’s of Frederick, Waynesboro Knitting Co, Hartz Textiles in Frederick, as well as Eastalco.
After retiring in 1986 he fulfilled his lifelong dream of owning and operating his own custom cabinet business for 20 years, which he proudly named Reaver’s Woodworking.
Ed was a lifelong Catholic with an unwavering faith in God. He was a long-time parishioner of St Anthony’s Shrine. He served on the maintenance committee for many years at St. Anthony’s and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed traveling, especially cruises, bowling, playing pool, horseshoes, fishing, playing softball on the Country Cousins team and playing cards with his good friends.
Ed enjoyed making rosaries, crosses, and other religious items. He also invested in a rock tumbler and, among other items, made each of his granddaughters a necklace and grandsons a key chain. He picked the rocks from his very long driveway where his grandkids spent many, many hours playing together.
His grandkids will always remember “Pappy” for Pappy’s gum box, weekly grandkids day in the summer, molasses bread, sweet, iced tea, and the smell of his Old Spice cologne.
One of his most treasured memories was when he and Helen received Holy Communion from Pope St John Paul II during his papal visit to Baltimore.
Ed was a self-taught “Jack of all Trades”. He mastered everything he set out to do. Ed was a perfectionist, many times remaking a cabinet even though no one would notice the small defect. He would always say, “I know it isn’t perfect”.
Ed instilled in his children and grandchildren a strong love of family, a devout faith, and a strong work ethic. His passing leaves a huge void in the hearts of all those who knew and loved him!
Ed was interned in St. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery. If you wish to make a donation in Ed’s name, please Mother Seton School tuition assistance fund or St Anthony Shrine, both of Emmitsburg.
