Donald Reed, born on April 1, 1946 in Southington, Connecticut, lived a life dedicated to teaching others. He was the son of Acly Irving and Marie Genevieve Reed (nee Archambault), the life-partner of Barbara Bakos, the brother of Janet Guilmette, the brother-in-law of Larry Guilmette, the stepfather of Lori Bakos Kubik and Roy W. Bakos, the uncle of Taylor Edwards (Guilmette) the great-uncle of Parker and Phillip Edwards, and the step-grandfather of Joey Kubik and Josh Kubik. Don passed away peacefully at the Buffalo VA Hospital, in the early hours of Thursday, January 8th after a brief but hard battle with cancer. Don grew up in Connecticut and loved music, science, and math. He served as a Medic in the Army in Vietnam and was a proud Veteran. Don earned Master’s Degrees in Mathematics and Mathematics Education from the University of Connecticut. His work brought him to Buffalo, New York when he took a job teaching at the Gow School. In the early 1990’s, Don left Gow and started teaching College Algebra and Calculus at the University at Buffalo; he retired from UB in 2025. Don also had a passion for and performed extensive research in the areas of Quantum physics, torsion fields, and the theoretical energy source of spinning particles smaller than atoms.

Don was dedicated to his life-partner, Barbara, throughout their almost four-decade relationship. They complimented each other’s strengths and supported each other through difficult times. Don became her full-time care giver and lovingly helped her through many medical issues and appointments. Their partnership was a blessing to them both and was deeply rooted in dedication, fidelity, and love.

Family was extremely important to Don. He loved Janet, Larry, Taylor, Parker, and Phillip very much and enjoyed visiting them in Massachusetts. Don was the only father that Lori and Roy ever knew, and he taught both of them a ton about life and love through his actions and relationship with Barbara. He loved Joey and Josh and was close to Barbara’s sister, Betty.

Don loved music and he played guitar in a few different bands, including the Pride & Joy Band, over the years. He made lifelong and lasting friends with the people he jammed with. He especially loved the Byrds and Creedence Clearwater Revival. He became a true Buffalonian, loved the Buffalo Bills, and all that WNY had to offer. Don loved animals and often helped Barbara rescue animals that she came across in her travels. They had many pets over the years, and he took great joy spending time at home with their dog Pepe and their cat Princess.

Don was a wonderful and kind human being who loved life, loved his family, and loved his friends. We will all miss him and the gentle kindness that he brought into the world.

You are loved Don; your spirit lives on in the lives of everyone you taught. Our lives were better because of your presence.

No prior visitation. Private services. Arrangements by LOMBARDO FUNERAL HOME (Southtowns Chapel.)