Timothy F. Gilrein
Worcester-Timothy F. Gilrein, 90, of Worcester passed away peacefully at home, on Thursday, December 18th, due to complications from a fall in his home on Veteran’s Day.
He was lovingly cared for by his children and friend Alicia Bonneville PCA. Tim’s beloved wife Marion B. (Berthiaume) Gilrein predeceased him on August 11, 2012. Tim leaves six children: Timothy J. of Holland, Marybarbara Hughes and her husband, David of Fitchburg, Virginia G. Yamiolkowski and her husband Edward of Knotts Island NC., Thomas M. of Worcester, Ann T. Murphy and her husband, James of Paxton and John F. and his wife Barbara of Spencer.
Tim leaves eleven grandchildren: Jennifer Gilrein-Wilson of Oakham, Shannon M. Payne and her husband, Robert and Alanna Robbins and her husband, Adam of Holland, Zachary C. Hughes and his wife Laura of Princeton, Meghan Marquez and her husband Ramon of Menlo Park CA., Katherine I. Hughes of Fitchburg, Jessie A., Sarahbeth and Peter E. Yamiolkowski of Knotts Island NC., Margaret Murphy Lyons and her husband Chris and James T. Murphy of Dania Beach, FL., eight great-grandchildren: Liam and Norah Wilson, Matthew and Connor Payne, Luke and Liam Hughes, Hunter Robbins and Malcolm Marquez. A niece, nephew and loving Godchild, Candace Geshelin. He was predeceased by his brother Harold Gilrein and sister Esther MacLean. Tim was born in Worcester the son of the late Harold A. and Johanna E. (Moore) Gilrein and spent most of his life there. He graduated from St. Peter’s High School in 1943. He was inducted into the Guardian Hall of Fame in a beautiful ceremony held on October 18, 2014. He graduated from Worcester Junior College and attended Northeastern University.
Tim was a Letter Carrier for the Worcester Post Office. He loved his job and often said he worked with "the greatest bunch of guys.” Tim was a proud USN veteran of WWII, serving in New Guinea and the Philippines. He was very proud of his Irish heritage, he loved the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame and the New York Yankees. He was a devoted and active member of St. Peter’s Parish where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and assisted at Funeral Masses. He was a basketball coach and one of the founding members of St. Peter’s Youth Basketball Program. Tim and his beloved wife Marion were active participants in the Couple to Couple marriage preparation program. They worked tirelessly for St. Peter’s in all fund raising endeavors. Tim was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Letter Carrier Association, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Senior Center. Tim was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great- grandfather who loved his family unconditionally and always put them first. He was a loyal, honest, hardworking, good man of strong faith and selfless generosity. He is deeply loved and will be sorely missed by his family and friends.
The Funeral will be held Tuesday, December 23 from CALLAHAN~FAY AND CASWELL Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle St. with a Mass at 10:30 AM in Saint Peter's Church, 931 Main St. Christian burial at Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Visiting Hours are Monday, December 22 from 4 to 7 PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be sent to St. Peter’s Parish, 931 Main St., Worcester, 01610 or The Sisters of St. Joseph Retirement fund, Sister Mary Ferguson, Development Director, 577 Carew Street, Springfield, MA. 01104, or go to www.ssjspringfield.org to make a donation to their retirement fund in Tim’s name.