Albert Emerson Reese, 94, of Bethlehem died Monday at St. Luke's University Hospital Fountain Hill following a stroke. He was the loving husband of the late Margaret R. (Koomar) Reese. They were married for 69 years.
Born in Nesquehoning, he was the son of the late Hannah (Griffith) and Albert E. Reese, Sr.
A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served as a radio mechanic and earned a sharpshooter badge.
He earned a bachelor of science degree in commerce from Rider College.

He worked in accounting for various businesses including Lehigh Navigation Coal Company, Union Bank and Bethlehem Steel. After retiring, he became full-time custodian at First Baptist Church, Bethlehem and cheerfully delivered meals to dozens of clients as a full-time driver through Meals on Wheels of Northampton County.

In 2003, he helped his late daughter Mary and son-in-law Paul Hoffert begin a very successful family business, Jumbar's restaurant in Bethlehem, and served as dishwasher and part-time accountant. Previously, he helped the Hofferts as accountant at the White House restaurant in Calais, VT.
His life was rich in music. He played the trumpet, sang in many musical groups including barbershop quartets "The Out of Towners" and "The Inter-statesmen" (which often rehearsed in his family's living room) and was active in the Allentown-Bethlehem chapter of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Signing in America (SBEBSQA). He and his family traveled to barbershop quartet conventions in New Hampshire, Baltimore, Md., Washington, D.C., Atlantic City, N.J. and Atlanta, Ga. He was named "Barbershopper of the Year" in 1970.

He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Bethlehem, sang in the church choir and was also a soloist.

He loved trains and was an avid model railroad enthusiast. He also loved nature and bird watching and built bird houses. As a lifelong learner fueled by curiosity, he recently studied astronomy and mathematics through Great Online Courses. His family and friends will remember him as a kind and gentle soul whose strong faith in God inspired him to share a joyful and comforting spirit, and to take a sincere lifelong interest in others.

Survivors: Surviving are daughters Anne, at home; Jeanne of Bethlehem; Joan, wife of James Finnen, of Bethlehem; son Jim and his wife, Anne Bean, of Bethlehem; son-in-law Paul Hoffert of Bethlehem; grandsons Ben and Harry Hoffert of Bethlehem, granddaughter Emily Hoffert and her wife, Jennifer Dize, of Bethlehem, grandson Jesse Reese of Fountain Hill; great-granddaughter Madison King of Allentown; five step-grandchildren, a step great grandson and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by brothers-in-law John Koomar, Francis X. Koomar and Stephen and wife Eva ("Mitzi"), all of Nesquehoning, and sisters-in-law Jane Koomar of Nesquehoning, Bernadine Koomar of Peotone, Ill. and Theresa Koomar of Lehighton. He was predeceased by a sister, Catherine, of Nesquehoning; and a daughter, Mary Hoffert, of Bethlehem.

Services: Family and friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27 at JAMES FUNERAL HOME, 527 Center St., Bethlehem and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 28 at First Baptist Church, 3235 Linden St., Bethlehem. A funeral service will be held at the church at 10:30 a.m. followed by burial in Holy Saviour Cemetery.

Contributions: Memorial donations may be made to New Bethany Ministries, 339 W. Fourth St., Bethlehem, PA 18015 or First Baptist Church, 3235 Linden St., Bethlehem, PA 18017.