FORT FAIRFIELD — John H. Reed, a Fort Fairfield native who served as Maine governor from 1959 to 1966, has died at 91.

The Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home in Fort Fairfield confirms Reed died Wednesday in a Washington hospital

Additional Photos

In this Aug. 15, 2008, photo, former Gov. John Reed, far right, takes his turn telling stories about his time in the Blaine House during an August 2008 press conference before a Friends of The Blaine House fundraising dinner held in the State House. Reed, who was governor from 1959 to to 1967, died Oct. 31 in Washington. Listening behind him are former Govs. John McKernan, Angus King, Joseph Brennan and John Baldacci. Staff File Photo by Joe Phelan

While governor, the Republican was instrumental in starting educational television in Maine and oversaw creation of a network of University of Maine colleges. The Bangor Daily News says Reed also pushed to combine school districts to save money.

While serving as state Senate president, Reed became governor in September 1959 upon the death of Clinton Clauson. The following year Reed defeated Democrat Frank Coffin to serve Clauson’s term. He won Maine’s first four-year term as governor in 1962.

Reed served on the National Transportation Safety Board and as U.S. ambassador to Sri Lanka.