Eugene Reilly Sr

PROSPECT - Eugene J. Reilly Sr., 85, of Prospect, Conn., passed away suddenly on April 5, 2012, at Waterbury Hospital surrounded by his loving family.

Mr. Reilly was born on Nov. 10, 1926, in Waterbury, a son of the late Thomas F. Reilly and Katherine (Killeen) Reilly. He graduated from Hop Brook Elementary School and Naugatuck High School, class of 1943. Eugene was a U.S. Army veteran, having served during World War II. He began his career working on screw machines at the Waterbury Bristol Company in their fastener division upon his discharge from the military. He transitioned to outside sales for the company then went on to work as a northeastern regional sales manager for various manufacturing firms including Dack Industries, T.A.D.A. Troy Company and Parker Kalon. He retired from Arnold Supply in Wallingford, Conn., in 1998 after serving 15 years as their quality control manager.

He was an active member of various professional organizations including the New England Fasteners Distributors Association, the Metropolitan Fasteners Association and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. He was also an active member of many local and national organizations such as the Prospect Gun Club, Prospect Senior Center, the Veterans of Foreign Affairs, American Legion, Sahara Club, American Motorcycle Association, and the National Rifle Association.

In addition to being a devoted father, he was an avid motorcyclist and rode for various charitable organizations until the age of 83. He enjoyed camping, fishing, boating and he was a die-hard fan of the UConn women's basketball team, the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots.

Besides his companion, Roberta Rome of Prospect, he is survived by two daughters, Marian Reilly of Newmarket, N.H., and her lifelong companion, Stephen W. Chaplin, and Sharon Reilly and her husband Mark Gagne of Norwich. He leaves one son, Eugene Reilly Jr. and his wife Susan of Prospect, and his sister, Ann Rutigliano and her husband Frank of Watertown. He is also survived by one granddaughter, Ericka Corbett, and two great grandchildren, Raina and Maylea of Naugatuck, in addition to several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Thomas P. Reilly, his sister, Mary Mukosey, and his former wife, Theresa Bean.

The funeral will be held on Thursday, April 12, 2012, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Church, 338 N. Main St., Naugatuck. Family and friends are asked to meet directly at the church. Burial with full military honors will be in St. James Cemetery. Friends are asked to call at the Buckmiller Brothers Funeral Home, 26 Waterbury Road, Route 69, Prospect, on Wednesday evening from 5 to 8 p.m.