Gloshpatrick, Murrisk, Westport
The untimely death has taken place of William Reilly, Gloshpatrick, Murrisk, Westport and formerly of Glenacolly, Westport following a 16 month illness borne with great courage and strength on February 21, 2014.
William was son of the late Mamie and Bertie Reilly, Glenacolly and the youngest in a family of six.
William completed his second level education at Westport Vocational School (now Westport College of Further Education). He then went on to further complete an agricultural course in Mountbellew from there he went on to qualify as an electrician. Following his qualification he travelled widely and spent some time in London and Australia before returning to his native soil. In recent years William worked with Mayo County Council in the role of management supervisor of the Westport regional water scheme.
William was a physically strong and athletic person. He cycled regularly, completed two marathons and only a few months before his diagnosis he completed the Seven Day Reek Challenge.
There was perhaps one key element to William’s life; ‘environment’ was everything to him - first and foremost his family in the idyllic valley of Glenacolly. This was the environment in which the character of William emerged and was shaped – that low key and reserved, yet consistently witty personality that resonated with everyone that knew him.
Subsequently , there was William’s own family, his wife Adrienne, the love of his life and soul mate, who he met fourteen years ago and his four beautiful children Nathan, Niamh, Liam and Shauna who he adored in a way beyond description. William’s passion for nature and farm life meant so much to him and he passed these traits onto his children and instilled in them a love of the outdoors and of animals.
Throughout his illness William continued to put his family first and fought a courageous and brave battle in order to get well for “what mattered most in life”. He never complained but continued to remain strong and positive. William spent his last Christmas with the most important people in his life, a gift that they will hold forever dearly in their hearts.
Large crowds gathered at Mc Gings’ funeral home to sympathise with William’s wife and family before removal took place to St Patrick’s Church, Lecanvey where Fr. Paddy Gill and Fr. Micheál MacGréil officiated at the reception ceremony.
He is deeply mourned by his loving wife Adrienne, children Nathan, Niamh, Liam and Shauna, sisters Mary (Australia), Dell (London), Julie (Kilkenny), Catherine ( Liverpool), brother Michael (Glenacolly), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews, extended family and friends. May his kind and gentle soul rest in peace.
