John Michael Reilly

John M Reilly, 90, of Avon, beloved husband of the late Effie (Drakos) Reilly, died peacefully in his sleep, October 31, 2015. Born in Hartford, son of the late John P. and Delia (Radigan) Reilly, he grew up in West Hartford graduating from Hall High School in 1942. John served in the US Air Force during W.W. II, and was proud to be a veteran. After discharge from the Air Force, he attended New London Junior College, graduating in 1948 with an Associate's Degree then received his BA from Boston University in 1950. He later received his Masters Degree from CCSU in 1968 and became an elementary school teacher serving in the Litchfield and Bristol school systems for many years. He made forty retreats at Holy Family Retreat Center in West Hartford where he also volunteered during his retirement as well as at the UCONN Medical Center. He was a lover of horses, Snickers bars, the color yellow, piano and jazz music, and a good drink accompanied by some peanuts. John is survived by his sister and her husband Peggy and Peter Zikowitch of Avon and six nieces Laura Beaty, Ellen Lombard, Anne Young, Susan Gifford, Cynthia Pacino, and Carol Clark. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Teeny Drakos of Mystic and her children, James, Andrew, and Peter. He also leaves many great nieces and nephews as well as other friends and relatives of his late wife, Effie. Besides his wife and parents, he was predeceased by his sister Mary Clark, his niece, Kathleen Clark, and his brother-in-law William Drakos. John's family wishes to thank the medical staffs at both UCONN Medical Center and Avon Health Center for their care and compassion during John's illness. His family will receive friends Wednesday, Nov 4, 2015 from 4-7 pm at the Carmon Funeral Home & Family Center, 301 Country Club Road, Avon. Family and friends may gather Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015 9:15 am at Carmon's of Avon followed by a Mass of Christian Burial 10 am at the Church of Saint Ann, 289 Arch Road, Avon. Burial will follow in Mount Saint Benedict Cemetery. Contributions may be made to either Holy Family Retreat Center, 303 Tunxis Road, West Hartford, CT 06107 or to John Dempsey Hospital/Volunteer Services, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030.