Ronald O’Reilly, 82
Dateline: Norton, MA
Ronald O’Reilly, age 82, of Norton, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He was the beloved husband of Janet J. (Rich) O’Reilly, to whom he was wed on November 11, 1967.
Born in Medford, MA on February 12, 1942, he was a loving son of the late Ronald F. and Geraldine (Fitzgerald) O’Reilly.
Ron grew up in Medford and as a teenager, his family moved to Norton. He was a 1960 graduate of Monsignor James Coyle High School in Taunton and a 1964 graduate of Stonehill College, where he received his bachelor’s degree in Accounting. During the Vietnam War he proudly served his country, for three years, as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy, stationed aboard the USS Keppler.
A resident of Norton for the past sixty-six years, Mr. O’Reilly was employed as a Chief Financial Officer at the V.H. Blackington Co. in North Attleboro. Following a career that spanned thirty-two years, he served on the Board of Directors for the V.H. Blackington Co. and at Bristol County Savings Bank.
A well-known and respected member of the Norton community, Ronnie was a communicant of Saint Mary’s Church in Norton, where he served as a former Church Lector. He was a member and clerk of the Norton Town Hall Building Committee, was a member and past president of the Norton Lions Club, an active twenty-one-year member of the Norton Conservation Commission and a former assistant coach for Norton Little League Baseball.
Ron’s family was the essence of his life and the happiness he received being a grandfather and attending his grandson Patrick’s sporting events was unmeasurable. Ronnie was also an avid reader and along with his wife Janet, delighted in pristinely maintaining their home and yard in Norton.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his devoted son Jonathan E. O’Reilly and his wife Pia of Norton. He was the proud and cherished grandfather of Patrick Ronald O’Reilly of Norton. He was the dear brother of M. Judith deAbreu and her husband Orlando of Taunton. He was the adoring uncle of David deAbreu and his wife Stephanie, Daniel deAbreu, Jennifer Gianakis and her husband Aaron, Alison deAbreu and James Brown. He is also survived by his grand nieces and nephews and was the much-loved brother-in-law of the late Clarence “Butch” Rich, Paul “Zeb” Rich and Barbara Brown and her late husband Vincent Brown.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend visiting hours on Wednesday, February 28th from 5:00-8:00 P.M. at the Norton Memorial Funeral Home. 19 Clapp Street (Off Route 140, Taunton Avenue) Norton.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, February 29th at 11:00 A.M. in Saint Mary’s Church, 1 Power Street, Norton. Burial, along with military honors, will follow at the Norton Common Cemetery in Norton.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Ronald’s memory to the Norton Historical Society, 18 West Main Street, Norton, MA 02766
To send his family a message of condolence, please visit www.nortonmemorial.com