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BORN
1931
DIED
2020
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John Reilly Obituary
WORCESTER - John F. Reilly, 88, of Worcester, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Thursday February 27, 2020 at Rose Monahan Hospice Home in Worcester.
Born, raised, and educated in County Sligo, Ireland, John was the youngest of eight children born to the late Patrick and Elizabeth (Curneen) Reilly. At the age of 25, John emigrated to the US in 1956 and met the love of his life Sheila (Gallivan) Reilly 2 years later. Married in 1966, John and Sheila spent 53 years together and raised 4 children.
In August of 1992, John retired from the Commonwealth Gas Company after dedicating 36 years of his career.
He enjoyed playing handball and following Gaelic football (GAA) with his friends, but above all, John loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren; traveling to Florida, Cape Cod, and even back to his homeland several times. He was a proud member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians Division # 36 of Worcester, as well as a devoted member of Pioneer Total Abstinence League of the Sacred Heart.
In addition to his wife, Sheila, John is survived by three sons, Sean Reilly and his wife Dulce of Wilmington, NC, Kevin Reilly and his wife Sheri of Whitinsville, and Michael Reilly and his wife Kristen of Charlotte, NC; a daughter, Sheila Bjorkman and her husband Craig of Auburn; eleven grandchildren, Aidan, Ella, and Ethan Reilly, Colleen, Nolan, and Megan Reilly, Emma, Owen, and Charlotte Reilly, and Jack and Erin Bjorkman; and many nieces and nephews, in both the United States and Ireland. John was predeceased by his parents and all his siblings, Michael, Patrick, Thomas, and James Reilly, and Ellie Cullen, Bea Fallon, and Mae Hegarty.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with John's family between 4:00 and 7:00 PM on Monday March 2, 2020 at the BRITTON-WALLACE FUNERAL HOME, 91 Central Street, Auburn, MA. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Tuesday March 3, 2020 at St. Joseph's Church, 189 Oxford Street North, Auburn, MA, followed by entombment at St. John's Mausoleum, 260 Cambridge Street, Worcester, MA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph's Church General Fund, 194 Oxford Street North, Auburn, MA 01501 or to the Ancient Order of Hibernians Division # 36, 19 Temple Street, Worcester, MA 01602. To leave a note of condolence for his family, please visit www.brittonfuneralhomes.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Reilly
Sponsored by Britton-Wallace Funeral Home - Auburn.
Paul Edmonds
February 21, 2024
Rest in peace my friend. Miss you
Paul Edmonds
February 21, 2023
Sadly missed my friends.
Paul Edmonds
February 21, 2022
Sadly missed, Paul from Gas company
Michael Papandrea
March 13, 2020
So sad to hear of the loss of John, sympathy to the Reilly family, my father loved John and i treasured the days i was able to go down to the Y and play handball with him.
Wendy Theroux
March 5, 2020
So sorry for your loss Mike. Sending love and prayers to you and your family during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Aine LaComfora-Mace
March 2, 2020
To the Reilly Family. So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
Love
March 2, 2020
Sheila and family,
We are thinking of you all at this time. Always remember the happy memories.
Love, Celeste, Frank Fitzhenry and family, XOXO
March 2, 2020
Rest in Peace my brother, So sorry for the family lose.Paul Edmonds and family.
Brendan & Kay Walsh
March 1, 2020
So many wonderful memories Of John stemming from our many years at "Airline". John, Sheila and the kids are a part of our lives forever.
May the road rise to meet you, old friend!
Love to all Reillys,
Brendan & Kay Walsh
February 29, 2020
Dear Aunt Sheila and family, so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you at this sad time. We loved yer visits to Ireland and visiting ye in Worcester. John always told a great story with lots of humor. Love to you all Imleda, John, Sean, Cian and Darragh Curtin New Zealand
John &
February 29, 2020
Condolences to Aunt Shiela and all the Reilly family. We lost the best uncle we could ever have. So many great memories from Cape Cod to Christmas Eve. He will be missed and always remembered as a great man. Prayers for all of you.
Sean P Hastings
February 28, 2020
Sorry Mrs Reily and family
For lost . Me Reily was very kind man and we all miss the good time whit him . Know make Mr. Reily R.S.P
February 28, 2020
Dear Sheila and family, sending our sincere condolences and prayers. We will always cherish our memories with Uncle John, a true gentle man with a wonderful smile. With all our love. Vivienne and Kevin Ipswich England
February 28, 2020
Our sincerely condolences Auntie Shiela and family on the loss of your wonderful husband John and living father....Thinking of you all at this very sad time... May John rest in peace.. . from Ann & Peter (Corrigan) Fitzgerald...
Eddie and Imelda Gallivan
February 27, 2020
To sheila, and all the Reilly family we offer our sympathy, and prayers.....We have lost a true gentleman....RIP JOHN...
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Britton-Wallace Funeral Home - Auburn91 Central Street, Auburn, MA 01501
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