Obituary for John F. Reilly
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.
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.