James H. Reilly

ProvidenceReilly, James H., ACSW, MSW, 95, of Providence, passed away on Tuesday, September 30, 2014 at his home. He was the beloved husband of the late Evelyn F. (Kavanagh) Reilly for 69 years.Born in Providence, he was the son of the late James H. and Madeline (Brett) Reilly.A true gentleman and man of great faith, Jim was a devoted husband and father who tookpride in his large family. He was a tireless advocate for the less fortunate and a public champion of causes to improve the lives of others.Mr. Reilly was a 1935 graduate of La Salle Academy, a 1941 graduate of Providence College (BA), and in 1943 earned a Master of Science in Social Work from Boston University.He was the Chief Supervisor, Child Care, RI Child Welfare Services, (now DCYF) from 1943 -1955; Administrator, Public Assistance, RI Dept. of Social and Rehabilitative Services from 1955 -1970; Assistant Director, RI Dept. of Social and Rehabilitative Services from 1970 -1977; and Deputy Director, RI Dept. of Social and Rehabilitative Services from 1977 until his retirement in 1982.He served as President, Alliance for the Mentally Ill of RI; Chairman, Providence Alliance for the Mentally Ill; Board of Directors, Mental Health Association of RI; Board of Trustees, The Providence Center; Member, the Coalition for Mental Health and the Governor's Council on Mental Health. He was a former Trustee of Saint Augustine Church in Providence; Member, Diocesan Social Ministry Advisory Board of Providence; and President, Diocesan Retreat League.He was awarded the Distinguished Public Service, John O. Stitely Award from the American Society for Public Administration, RI Chapter; the Advocacy Award, Mental Health Association of RI; Man of the Year, Catholic Association of College Alumni; and Outstanding Public Service Award, Social Security Administration U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services.He is survived by his 9 children, Janice Mackie and her husband Stephen of Providence, James Reilly and his wife Madeline of Narragansett, Thomas Reilly and his late wife Barbara of Narragansett, Daniel Reilly of Providence, Kathleen Clarkin and her husband Michael of Barrington, Timothy Reilly of New London, CT., Kevin Reilly and his wife Teresa of Cumberland, Teresa Donahue and her husband William of Smithfield, and Shawn Reilly and his wife Melissa of Wakefield; 17 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. He was the brother of Charles and Walter Reilly, Eileen Hughes, and the late Madeline Conneally, and the late Mary Wilcox.His funeral will be held Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at 8:15 am from the Russell J. Boyle & Son Funeral Home, 142 Centerville Road, Warwick, RI 02886. Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in Saint Augustine Church, 639 Mount Pleasant Ave, Providence. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Providence. Visiting Hours Monday 4-8 pm. In lieu of flowers donations to The Providence Center, 528 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904 or Home & Hospice Care of RI, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904 in Jim's memory would be appreciated. www.boyleandsonfuneralhome.com