Reilly, Wm. Arthur, Jr. of Chestnut Hill.
With great sadness we announce the death of Wm. Arthur Reilly Jr. who died Tuesday due to complications from brain and lung cancer. He was the cherished husband of Mimi Reilly, loving father of Chip Reilly of Marston Mills and Alexandra Reilly of Medway. Arthur was grandfather to Brian Whalen, Jack and Liam Reilly, brother to James Reilly of Cohasset and the late John Reilly of Norwell and Harriett Spellman of Milton. Father–in-law, uncle, friend, public servant, mentor; he was an all-round great guy devoted to unselfishly enhancing the lives of others. He was born in Boston to William Arthur Reilly and Kathryn McElroy Reilly and grew up in Jamaica Plain, graduating from Boston College High School in 1952 and Boston College in l956. He served in the United States Army as a Sergeant medic in Munich, Germany and returned to work at McLaughlin & Reilly, a Catholic music publishing company. Arthur went on to work for 35 years as a Project Coordinator at the Boston Redevelopment Authority with involvement in numerous projects including the demolition of the elevated MBTA line in Charlestown, the redevelopment of the Charlestown Navy Yard, and the revitalization of the Midtown and the Theatre Districts in Downtown Boston. His steady hand, warmth, and quick wit brought him many life-long friends and supporters. He loved politics, and was an Alderman in the City of Newton for eight years, a third generation member of the Clover Club of Boston, Past President of the East Boston Social Centers, Member of ROMEO (Retired Opinion Makers Eating Out) of Boston, Member of Oysterville Yacht Club, and when he moved to Brookline, a Town Meeting member and Board Member of the Walnut Hills Cemetery. Arthur spent many meaningful hours in the gracious company of the Putterham Circle Starbucks staff and a close circle of like-minded, talkative friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Boston College High School Fund, 150 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA 02125 would be gratefully appreciated.
A wake will be held on Friday, March 15th at the Robert J. Lawler & Crosby Funeral Home, 1803 Centre St. in West Roxbury from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, March 16th at 9 AM in St. Ignatius Church, 28 Commonwealth Ave. Chestnut Hill. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Interment Calvary Cemetery, Waltham, MA.
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Lawler & Crosby Funeral Home
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