Philip J. Reilly

EGREMONT -- Philip J. Reilly, 73, of Baldwin Hill, died Thursday at St. Joseph's Hospital in Wayne, N.J., where he had resided for two weeks. He served as Egremont water commissioner from 1995 to 2001 and was twice elected selectman, serving as chairman until resigning for health reasons in January. He also was on the Advisory Board of Elder Services of Berkshire County for many years.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Oct. 5, 1933, son of Farrell and Mary Molloy Reilly, he graduated from Manhattan College High School, also known as Manhattan Prep, in New York, where he was a member of the varsity basketball, cross country and swim teams. He attended St. John's University in New York City and graduated from the Port Authority Police Academy. He was an Eagle Scout and played basketball for the Navy, the Marine Corps, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

A Navy veteran of the Korean War, he served from 1951 to 1953 and was assigned to aviation. He was discharged with the rank of petty officer third class.

Mr. Reilly was employed by the Port Authority as a police officer for 33 years at Kennedy and Newark international airports and was operations manager at Newark Airport, retiring in 1989. He then worked at Barnstable Airport in Hyannis as a manager, retiring in 1995. During his career, he met every president from Lyndon B. Johnson through Ronald Reagan and many other dignitaries.

In 1962, Mr. Reilly was awarded the Port Authority Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service after running into a burning building in Elizabeth, N.J., and evacuating the occupants.

He enjoyed everything about airplanes and had his pilot's license for many years.

He also lived in Howell Township and in Point Pleasant Beach, both in New Jersey, and was a Little League coach and assistant scoutmaster to his sons' Boy Scout troop in the latter town. He moved to Barnstable in 1989 and to Egremont in 1995.

He and his wife, the former Joan M. Tenny, were married Aug. 20, 1955, at St. Jerome's Church in Brooklyn. She died July 16, 2002.

He leaves three sons, David J. Reilly of Ringwood, N.J., Robert F. Reilly of Long Beach, Md., and John P. Reilly of Midlothian, Va.; and seven grandchildren.

FUNERAL NOTICE -- A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Philip J. Reilly, who died Thursday, April 5, 2007, will be celebrated Tuesday at 10 a.m. at St. Peter's Church in Great Barrington by the Rev. William Murphy, pastor. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery in Egremont. The family will receive friends on Monday from 2 to 4 p.m and 7 to 9 p.m. at FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME in Great Barrington. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Arthritis Foundation through the funeral home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Mr. Reilly also leaves three daughters-in-law, Maryclaire (David), Sheila (Robert) and Jill (John), and seven grandchildren, Meghan, Brian, Michael, Connor, Logan, Shannon and Kaitlyn. Remembrances, memories and reflections may be sent to the family through www.finnertyandstevensfuner alhome.com.