by Geoff Cobb 
Hugh Reid, who helped bury the dead of Greenpoint for generations, himself finally succumbed to death himself last Thursday, just short of his ninetieth year. I was lucky enough to spend a long afternoon with Hugh about two years ago, while researching my recently published book, King of Greenpoint, about Peter J McGuinness, the boss of Greenpoint. Many locals insisted that I had to talk to Hugh because no one knew more…
2
Free to read, funded by readers. Join as a member and get a free gift.
Greenpointers has covered Greenpoint & Williamsburg since 2007 — community boards, rezoning fights, local businesses, and the people whose lives and work give the neighborhood its character. Local news is collapsing across the country, but we're still here: independently owned, no corporate backing, no paywall. 18+ years, 280k+ monthly readers and followers, funded by the community we serve.
Why your support matters
Hughie was my grandpa’s cousin and a good friend of his. My Grandpa used to tell me about the reids and McAlisters(of 5he tugboat company fame), all related, even though hughies family had feuded with the McAllisters for years, hugh and my grandpa were so proud of their family connection.
The last time I saw my grandpa he was in the casket at hughies place. Me and hughie sat in the hallway and he told me stories about growing up with my grandpa and how greenpoint used to be…..that was 10.years ago….I passed hughies spot 3 days ago and it’s a medical clinic. Kind of hurt like hell . Hughies gone, my grandpa is gone and now people just sit there to get a flu shot, where my grandpa was laid to rest and his cousin worked his craft.
Sad to see Hugh A. Reids is closed and sadder to see he has passed. I will always remember the family funerals and my father Danny McKeegan, and Hugh sitting in the back row telling joke after joke. Hugh was very clever, and I’m not sure if it was his stapLe or not, I remember his Red socks matched his Red tie and it just stuck in my mind. …. the sock – tie match…..
God bless