Dwight Reese

North Kingstown, R.I. — Dwight David Reese, 58, of Ft. Myers, Fla. and North Kingstown, R.I., passed away surrounded by the love of his family after a short battle with cancer on Monday, Oct. 16, 2017.

He was the loving husband of Carol Constance (Morelle) Reese. He was predeceased by his first wife, Catherine (Potrikus) Reese in 2011. Born in Westerly, on Aug. 7, 1959, he was the son of the late Daniel and Patricia Jean (Meeker) Reese.

A graduate of Stonington High School, he earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from Boston University in 1980 and his master’s degree in marine environmental science from SUNY Stonybrook in 1982.

He was an accomplished builder, having previously built houses for a living, including several homes for his family over the years, also serving as a trustee for the RI Builders Association. He also owned a kitchen and bath remodeling business for a number of years. In addition, he worked for Pfizer conducting laboratory research, and later began working independently as a software consultant. Most recently, he was working for Ohio-based Hyland Software as a technical consultant.

Outside of the office, sailing was a lifelong passion for Dwight. He loved the ocean and was active in the SEA Education Association of Woods Hole, Mass., where he was an alumnus of the Fall 1978 SEA Semester aboard the R/V Westward. He continued his involvement in SEA, sharing his passion for the ocean as an educator, as well as serving the organization as a trustee and overseer. He was also a member of the Westerly Ambulance Corps, where he joined as a messenger in his youth, served as an EMT alongside his brother, and later with his sons, and served several years as the organization’s treasurer. Most importantly, he loved spending time with his family, especially his children and grandchildren and he will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Besides his wife, Carol, he leaves his sons, Jonathan Reese and his wife, Katelyn, of Richmond, R.I. and Patrick Reese of North Providence, R.I.; his stepdaughter, Dawn Brady and her husband, Jeffrey, of Ft. Myers, Fla.; his grandchildren, Lincoln Reese and Francesca and Finnegan Brady; his siblings, Douglas Reese and wife, Sheila, of Andover and Dianne Boisvert and her husband, Leo, of Wakefield, R.I.; the inseparable “Brookies” who were his lifelong friends from their days at Boston University; along with several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Calling hours will be held from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, at Buckler-Johnston Funeral Home, 121 Main St., Westerly. There will be a service immediately following the calling hours at the funeral home at 5:30 p.m. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to SEA Education Association, P.O. Box 6, Woods Hole, MA 02543 or to the Westerly Ambulance Corps, 30 Chestnut St., Westerly, RI 02891.

For online condolences, please visit www.buckler-johnston.com.