Obituary of Lawrence H. Reilly

Lawrence H. Reilly Jr. of New Canaan died Wednesday March 18, 2009 at age 86. A 40 year resident of Darien before moving to New Canaan in 1994, Mr. Reilly was born July 27, 1922 in Queens, New York, son of the late Winifred D. and Lawrence H. Reilly. Mr. Reilly graduated from Regis High School in Manhattan, Fordham University and Columbia University School of Law. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army in the South Pacific during World War II. Mr. Reilly is survived by his wife of 59 years, Katherine, and four children, Lawrence Reilly III of Fairfield, CT, George A. Reilly of Darien with his spouse Lynn, Katherine Reilly of Black Rock, CT, and Greg Reilly of Norwalk, CT. Mr. Reilly was predeceased by his second-born child, George M. Reilly and his sister Winifred R. Gaffney. Also surviving are eight Reilly grandchildren: Neil, Timothy, Peter, Matthew, Christopher, Gregory Jr., Douglas and Allison. Mr. Reilly practiced law for many years in New York City at Poletti Friedin Prashker Feldman and Gartner. He later practiced law in Connecticut. Voluntary service to his church and community were hallmarks of Larry Reilly's life. In the Roman Catholic Church Mr. Reilly was Grand Knight of the local Knights of Columbus, president of the parish council at Church of St. John in Darien, counsel to Convent of St. Birgitta in Darien, and was named a member of the Papal Order of St. Gregory the Great by Pope John Paul II. The local attorney and family man also served on the Darien Zoning Board of Appeals, as chairman of the Darien Police Commission, president of the Windham Mountain Club in Windham, NY, and was a founding member of the Country Club of Darien. Calling hours will be Friday March 20, 2009 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday March 21, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at Church of St. John, 1986 Post Road, Darien, CT. Burial will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery in Darien. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Convent of St. Birgitta, Vikingsborg, 4 Runkenhage Road, Darien, CT 06820. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820