Lawrence Hugh Reilly

BARRE TOWN - Lawrence Hugh Reilly 92, a longtime resident, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Saturday, December 19, 2020.

Reilly was born on August 22, 1928 in Alburgh, VT during the great depression. His mother, Florence Flynn Reilly was a community leader. His father, Lawrence Leo Reilly, was a respected Rutland Railroad engineer. Larry’s grandmother emigrated from County Cavan, Ireland in the early 1850’s, and from birth, Reilly was a true Irish son.

Larry served honorably as a corporal in the US Army Infantry during WWII and with the 32 ^nd Infantry in Korea. He then attended the University of Vermont and graduated in 1952. That same year he began his career in the insurance business at the Peerless Insurance Company and later at the Hartford Insurance Company. Larry retired in 1993 from the Union Mutual Fire Insurance Company as President, CEO and Director. He served on various corporate boards including First Vermont Bank, Bank North Group, and his beloved Central Vermont Railroad.

In 1951, Larry met the love of his life Constance Ann Carpenter while attending mass on the UVM campus. They were married on June 20, 1953 at St. Monica’s Catholic Church in Barre and began a partnership that would last a lifetime. Larry’s greatest legacy was his devotion to Connie and their family; he dedicated the last seven years of his life to caring for Connie, his own well-being a secondary concern, as always.

Larry was a community leader for years and a friend to many. His service to others included membership in the Barre Lions Club, alderman for Barre City, trustee for the Central Vermont Medical Center, advisory board member of the Green Mountain Council of Boy Scouts, President of VT Green-Up, and chairman of the Basketball Tournament Committee for the Barre Recreation Department for fifteen years. He was an instrument-rated pilot and enjoyed giving plane rides to friends and family.

He was generous with his time and his love.   He was a member of St Monica Catholic Church and served as a crucifer and chairman of the Finance Committee. His life may be best summarized by St Francis of Assisi who said, “Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary use words.” He showed us all, by example, how to be good, kind, loving and generous.

Survivors include his wife, Connie Reilly and their five children Anne Dilts and her husband, John of Brandon VT; John Reilly and his wife, Maria Conti-Reilly of Barre, VT; Daniel Reilly and his wife, Sally of Concord MA; Mary Pinard and her husband, Frank of Newport, VT; and Erin Helmken and her husband, Mark of Waterbury, VT; fourteen grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and his sister-in-law Margaret Swain as well as many cherished nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his son Patrick W. Reilly, his sister and brother-in-law Frances and Milton Brow, his brother William Reilly, and his in-laws Daisy and William Carpenter and their daughter Julie Grunvald.

Due to the pandemic, services will be held privately at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, please celebrate Larry’s life of service and devotion by making memorial contributions to the Barre Lions Club, PO Box 211, Barre, VT 05641 or to the Barre Senior Citizen Center, 131 South Main Street, Suite 4, Barre, VT 05641.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Jolanta Amblo, Dr. Usha Abbineni and all the wonderful staff at the Central Vermont Medical Center, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Ascutney Rehabilitation Center and Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, especially Gwen. The family also thanks the Hooker Whitcomb Funeral Home for their kindness and generosity.