Father Thomas A. Reilly, M.S.

Father Thomas A. Reilly, M.S., 76, a Missionary of Our Lady of La Salette, died July 12, 2020 at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, CT. He was born November 4, 1943 in Springfield, Massachusetts, son of the late William and Mildred (Dudley) Reilly. He attended grammar school in Thompsonville, Connecticut and high school at the La Salette Seminary in Hartford, CT, prior to entering the La Salette Seminary in Bloomfield, CT on July 1, 1963. Father Reilly made his First Profession of Vows on July 2, 1964, and was ordained on May 27, 1972 at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Hartford, CT. His studies in the seminary earned him an M.A. in Philosophy and a D. Min. in Moral Theology; as well as a D. Min in Applied Ministries.

Following his ordination, Father Tom served as the Associate Director of Students and then the Director of Students at the La Salette Seminary in Ipswich, Massachusetts. In 1976, he was the Associate Pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Fitchburg, MA until 1979 when he was appointed Pastor of St. Matthew’s Church in Fairburn, Georgia. In 1981, he became the Coordinator of the La Salette community in Ipswich, Massachusetts. The Province of Seven Dolors recognized Father Tom’s capabilities and gifts of leadership and elected him to serve the Province in various administrative capacities. In 1982, Father was elected Provincial Assistant; in 1985 he was elected Provincial Vicar. He was elected Provincial Superior for three terms. In 2003, he was appointed as Pastor of St. Ann Parish in Marietta, Georgia. While ministering there, he established a columbarium at St. Ann’s which was dedicated by Archbishop Wilton Gregory in 2017.

Following his ministry at St. Ann, he retired to Mary Queen Parish in Friendswood, Texas. Due to failing health, he moved to the Hartford House in Connecticut in 2019 where he resided until his death.

Father was also very active in the Catholic Heart Workcamp, a ministry that helps the underprivileged, brokenhearted and marginalized children to live their Catholic faith.

In addition to his La Salette community, Father Reilly, M.S., is survived by his brothers; Patrick Reilly of CT and Kevin (wife Louise) Reilly of NC; a sister; Mary Maguire of CT, nieces; Patricia Reilly and Kelly Wright, both of CT; grand-nephews Dylan Reilly, Kyle Reilly and Liam Wright of CT; his brother-in-law William Higgins and many more relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his sister, Ellen Higgins.

A visitation will be held at the Catholic Church of St. Ann, in Marietta, GA on Monday, July 20, 2020 from 7:00pm – 9:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Catholic Church of St. Ann, on Tuesday, July 21, 2020 at 11:00am. Due to COVID-19 protocols, attendance is for registered guests. All guests will be required to wear a face mask and social distancing will be observed. The funeral will be streamed and available to view long after the mass as well. For more information, please visit, www.st-ann.org for more information.

Contributions in his memory may be made to: Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette Retirement Fund, 915 Maple Avenue, Hartford, CT 06114-2330. To share a memory with the Community or family, please visit www.dillonbaxter.com