Father Henry William Francis Reid was born in Florida in 1969 and was adopted by James and Gloria Reid of Port Jefferson Station. He is the middle child between older brother James of Baldwinsville, NY, and younger sister Mary, of Port Jefferson Station.
Fr. Henry attended Comsewogue High School in Port Jefferson Station, after which he earned an A.A. from Suffolk Community College and a B.A. from SUNY Albany. He continued on, earning a M.A. from SUNY Albany, attended Queen’s University Belfast for post grad research, and finishing off with an M.A. from the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington.
Before entering the seminary and the priesthood, Fr. Henry worked the trades … construction and electric. At times he was a dishwasher, prep and cook, bartender, bar back, waiter and bouncer, including bouncing at CBGB’s. He has worked with juvenile delinquents and youth in crisis in Albany and on Long Island. While in Belfast he taught tutorials at Queen’s University. He has also been adjunct history professor at Suffolk Community College.
Fr. Henry was ordained on June 10, 2006, at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre. His first parish was Holy Family in Hicksville. He was then assigned as Parochial Vicar at St, Margaret of Scotland Parish in Selden. In June 2013 he became the Parochial Vicar at Holy Name of Mary parish in Valley Stream, and in 2017 was made pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Patchogue.
Fr. Henry has been a member of AOH Division 9, Suffolk County, for over 30 years. After being ordained a deacon, Past State President John Hennessy appointed Fr. Henry as Deputy Chaplain of the AOH New York State Board. Past State President Matt Nelligan appointed him State Chaplain in 2007, and in 2010 past National President Seamus Boyle appointed Fr. Henry Deputy National Chaplain. He has volunteered at many functions including the Long Island Feis, and founded the Inis Fada Fleadh, Long Island Irish Festival, which is held every June in Patchogue.
Fr. Henry is a member of Friends of Irish Freedom, a 4th degree member in the Knights of Columbus, and a life member of the Loyal Order of the Moose.
