Obituary: Raymond E. Reilly, Jr
Friday, November 30, 2018
Raymond E. Reilly, Jr., 77, of Smithfield, died Wednesday, November 28, 2018. He was the beloved husband of Joyce (McGuinness) Reilly for 55 years, and the son of the late Raymond and Rita Reilly.
A graduate of La Salle Academy, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Providence College and his masters from URI. Ray was a dedicated educator for 35 years, serving the towns of Smithfield, Coventry, and then, as the Superintendent of the Foster-Glocester Regional School District, winning the superintendent of the year award in 1997.
He was a Vietnam era veteran, a member of the Smithfield Elks, and many other civic organizations throughout his life, and was an active member of St. Philip parish. He enjoyed playing golf, playing cards, gardening, and traveling the world with his wife. He especially enjoyed his Irish heritage, visiting Ireland ten times with friends.
He was a sports enthusiast, particularly of the PC Friars and the New England Patriots. As superintendent of schools, Ray was responsible for calling Salty Brine to announce the famous “No School Foster-Glocester” and would later enjoy drinking his morning coffee in his “No School Foster-Glocester” mug.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his children, MaryAnne Hagopian and her husband Steve, Jennifer Ramage, Raymond Reilly III and his wife Jessica, and Colleen Gran and her husband Adam. He was predeceased in death by his son Christopher.
He was the brother of Robert Reilly, William Reilly, Marie Church, and Eleanor Jordan; and beloved grandfather of Christian, Keegan, and Hayden Reilly, David and Christy Ramage, and Christopher and Riley Gran.
Visitation is Sunday, Dec. 2nd 4-8 p.m. in the Anderson Winfield Funeral Home, Rt 44, at Greenville Common, Greenville. Mass of Christian Burial to which relatives and friends are invited will be held Monday, Dec. 3rd at 9:30 a.m. in St. Philip Church, 622 Putnam Pike, Greenville. Burial will follow in St. Ann’s Cemetery, Cranston.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to support Homeless Veterans. To donate, please make check or money order payable to the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, VA Medical Center. On the memo line of the check, please indicate “GPF #6013 Homeless Veterans Outreach Van”. Mail your donation to: VA Medical Center (135), 830 Chalkstone Avenue, Providence RI 02908, or donate online here.
