NORWICH – Nicholas Reed, 69, of Corona del Mar, Calif. passed from this life on Thursday, July 19, 2012.
He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Gena Reed of Corona del Mar, Calif.; his son, Dana Reed of Costa Mesa, Calif.; his mother, Rose Reed and sister, Angela Reed of Norwich; and brothers Michael Reed of Minneapolis, MN and Randall Reed of Ithaca.
Nick was Owner & Founder of Veloce Gruppe in Costa Mesa, Calif., and past CEO & co-founding partner of Paragon Biomedical, Inc. Nick was a visionary and compassionate leader of Paragon Biomedical for the first 15 years of Paragon’s history. He was active in philanthropy, and passionately supported women’s rights, education, and environmental issues. He was an active supporter of Girls Incorporated of Orange County and a member of the Board of Governors of Chapman University.
Nick was born in Virginia, MN on February 9, 1943, to Lawrence and Rose Reed. Nick was a graduate of Norwich High School, Norwich, in 1961 and Niagara University of Niagara in 1966, majoring in Biological Sciences. He started his dynamic career in clinical research with The Norwich Pharmacal Company in Norwich, and the William S. Merrell Company in Cincinnati, Ohio. While living in Cincinnati, he met Gena Hazelip, his beloved wife. In 1989, after relocating to California, they started a Contract Research Organization, Paragon Biomedical, which grew into an international firm, recognized for excellence in its field.
A “Celebration of Life” gathering will be held at the Veloce Gruppe headquarters on Saturday, Aug. 4, at 11 a.m. All are invited to share memories of Nick at the gathering.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Nick’s name to Girls Inc. of Orange County, 1815 Anaheim Avenue, Costa Mesa, Calif.