John J. Rielly

FALMOUTH - John J. Rielly, 94, of Portland, died peacefully on Monday, May 7, 2012 at Falmouth by the Sea Nursing Facility. Born in Portland Maine on July 16, 1917, John was the son of Michael Rielly and Delia Lydon Rielly of County Cork Ireland. He was educated in Portland attending St. Dominic's Catholic school and graduating in 1938 from Cheverus High School. After graduation, John worked in the South Portland Shipyard before enlisting in the Army to serve his country in World War II, seeing service in France, Poland and Iceland as well the invasions on Utah Beach in Normandy. One of his more memorable acts of war service was his troop's involvement in the liberation of one of the concentration camps in Germany. Upon returning from the war he worked as an electrician with Federal Electric in Palm Beach FL. John joined the Portland Fire Department in 1946, giving more than 17 years of service before becoming injured while fighting a fire and retiring in 1963. He spent the remainder of his career employed by Casco Bank until 1982. John was a past President of the Fireman's Union, a regular communicant of St. Patrick's Church and an active member of the First Friday Associates, the Knights' of Columbus, and the Greater Portland Council of Catholic men, where he spent over 40 years helping to organize the Christ the King yearly breakfast. John was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and dear friend to many. He was most proud of his strong Irish heritage and well known for his gift for gab and storytelling. Mostly though, John was deeply admired for his exceptional kindness, generosity and service toward others. John married Catherine Mooney in 1947 and had a loving marriage for over 61 years when she predeceased him in 2009. In addition to his wife, John was predeceased by a daughter, Nancy Quinn, in 1999, as well as a sister Mary Twomey in 2002 and brother Tommy Rielly in 2007. John is survived by a son Michael Rielly and his wife Judy of North Tonawanda, New York, two daughters, Margaret Allen and her husband Richard of Exeter, New Hampshire, Katherine Gauvin and her husband Ronald of Carversville, Pennsylvania, a son-in-law John Quinn of Naples FL, a sister Peggy Ebbs of San Diego, CA, eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 10, from 3-6 PM at the Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home on Friday, May 11, at 9:15 am. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am at St. Patrick's Church, 1342 Congress Street, Portland. Interment will follow in New Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. The Rielly family wishes to express sincere gratitude for the wonderful care and support provided by John's extended family at Foreside Harbor, Falmouth by the Sea and Beacon Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John's memory to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Portland, PO Box 04112.Online condolences may be expressed below.