Francis X. Reilly

Francis "Frank" X. Reilly, Jr., 64 Proud Vietnam War Veteran Francis "Frank" X. Reilly, Jr., 64, of North Attleboro, died on Thursday, January 20, 2011 at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington following a long illness. He was the husband of Mary E. Lonergan to whom he was married on January 11, 1985. Born in Providence, Rhode Island on January 21, 1946, he was a son of the late Francis X. Reilly, Sr. and Joan (Healy) Reilly. He was raised in Taunton and had resided in North Attleboro for the past 23 years. He was a veteran of the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He served as an Aviation Medic both at Fr. Bragg, North Carolina and in Vietnam with the 116th Assault Helicopter Co. at Cuchi, RVN, 1967. Mr. Reilly was employed as a Registered Respiratory Therapist for 35 years. He is the past director of the Department of Respiratory Care at Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence, Rhode Island and completed his career as a Critical Care Specialist at the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston where he was employed from 1986 - 2004. The staples of Frank?s life were his beloved wife, Mary, and spending time with his family. He relished traveling to relax on warm beaches; time spent dining out, puttering in his yard and attending musical theatre. Always a patriotic man, he treasured the time spent in the company of his fellow former comrades and members of the Vietnam Helicopter Crew Members Association and the Vietnam Helicopters Flight Crew Members Network. He lectured at Bishop Hendricken High School's course - "Vietnam Experiences". He also spent the past several years helping family members of the fallen to learn about their loved one through the Family Contacts Committee. His family and friends will remember with fondness a hard working, generous man who enjoyed the simple things in life. In addition to his wife of 26 years, he leaves a much loved sister: Joan Guertin and her husband and Frank's best friend, Gerald Guertin of Middleboro and a close and supportive friend: Jack Dempsey of Exeter, Rhode Island. Family and friends are cordially invited to attend visitation with Veteran's Honors on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home ?- the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. Those in need of a ride to visitation may simply call (508) 695-0200 to make an advance reservation for such gratis local transportation. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend the funeral service with Veteran?s Honors on Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at 11:00 AM in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home - the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro with his childhood friend, the Rev. Monsignor Daniel Hoye, Pastor of Christ the King Roman Catholic Church, Mashpee, officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in the Rhode Island Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, Exeter, Rhode Island. Children's room available during visitation and the funeral service. Please do not send flowers. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mr. Reilly's name may be made to Family Contact Committee, Attention: Julie Kink, 224 Harriet Street N, Stillwater, MN 55082. For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book located on the internet at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com . Arrangements are entrusted to the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200.