Brother Michael Reis, Fsc

Brother Michael Reis, born William Reis, passed away on September 24, 2023, in Lincroft, New Jersey.

Born on July 31, 1942, he was the son of the late John A. and Alvina (Rabuse) Reis. He is survived by his brothers, John and Ronald Reis, and several nieces and nephews. His sister, Mary O’Donnell, AFSC, and her husband, John O’Donnell, AFSC, predecease him.

Brother Michael grew up in the Rockaways in Queens and spent his youth fishing and playing on the beach. Brother Michael dedicated his life to service, joining the De La Salle Christian Brothers in 1960, where he started his career as a math teacher. His passion for the Lasallian Mission and service to the poor drew him away from work in the classroom to social work.

After working at Lincoln Hall, a residential facility for adjudicated boys in New York, Br. Michael’s journey brought him to Rhode Island, where he worked as a chaplain for the Adult Correctional Institute. He then co-founded Ocean Tides and, ultimately, Tides Family Services, where he spent the last 35 years of his career. Brother Michael started Tides with $15,000 and a vision to never give up on youth in the community. He went to great lengths to strategically position Tides to follow in the footsteps of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, serving youth whom other institutions left behind.

Brother Michael’s unwavering dedication to improving the lives of at-risk youth has left an indelible mark on the countless lives he touched. A true champion for children, Brother Michael led with determination and zeal. He was steadfast in the face of adversity. He stayed rooted in his mission of never giving up on a kid, never! Brother Michael was dynamic, engaging, and effortlessly drew people in to advance his passion for keeping children in community-based settings.

Brother Michael was a visionary and laid the foundation for children’s behavioral health, child welfare, and juvenile justice programming that is still considered innovative forty years later. He recognized the importance of work across systems, was a fierce advocate for youth, and spent countless hours advocating for children’s rights as a registered lobbyist for the RI NASW. Aside from his professional career, Brother Michael served youth and the community through his work on various boards and committees, including the Pawtucket Soup Kitchen, the Rhode Island Chapter of the NASW, the State of Rhode Island: Sexual Offender Management Task Force, the Rhode Island Children’s Policy Coalition, the Parent Support Network, and The San Miguel School, Providence, RI.

Always young at heart, Brother Michael elected to live outside of traditional Brothers’ communities and hosted several Lasallian Volunteers. To Brother Michael, his Community was a family and home, and all Lasallian Volunteers were welcome. Brother Michael credits his work with the Lasallian Volunteers and the Young Lasallians with keeping him young. Brother Michael’s boundless energy was apparent in his personal and professional life.

Brother Michael could be found in the gym or traveling with his family when not at work.

Visitation will be held Friday, September 29, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm at The Chapel of Our Lady of the Star, Christian Brothers Center, 635 Ocean Road, Narragansett, RI. There will be a Prayer Service at 5 pm during the visitation. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, September 30, at 10:30 am at The Chapel of Our Lady of the Star. Burial will take place at Christian Brothers Cemetery following Mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tides Family Services, 215 Washington Street, West Warwick, RI 02893. www.tides.org

Mass will be livestreamed. Please visit this link: https://youtube.com/live/8t8pWJhZizI?feature=share