Francis Patrick Reilly III, 74, of Newtown died December 14, after a brave battle with cancer. Mr Reilly is remembered as an unforgettable and adored husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend.

A New Year's Eve baby, he was born December 31, 1942, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. He always spoke happily about his childhood in Saratoga, where he grew up in a home filled with the love of his parents Sally and Frank Reilly, and his beloved sister Ann.

Mr Reilly was an Eagle Scout and participated in football and track. He graduated from Saratoga High School in 1960 and was the recipient of the prestigious Yaddo medal. He had a lifelong passion for science and how things worked, leading him to study at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he was a member of the Delta Phi fraternity. He graduated with a Bachelor of Metallurgical Engineering in 1964 and went on to receive both a Master of Engineering and a Master of Science in 1966. Several of his fellow classmates of SHS and RPI remained his most loyal and treasured lifelong friends.

Mr Reilly worked as a metallurgical engineer for the duration of his life. He began his career at Boeing in Seattle, and had a long tenure with Union Carbide and UCAR Carbon in New York City and Ridgefield. Most recently, he was employed by Hoffman & Feige, Inc in Brewster, N.Y.

He was passionate about running, completing 17 marathons, including New York City and Boston, and countless other races. Mr Reilly was equally passionate about his daughters' sports, coaching their softball teams, hollering on the sidelines at field hockey and lacrosse games, and timing swim meets. A devoted family man, he was ever-present for school and extracurricular events, never failed to help with homework (especially math!), and loved going on Indian Princess campouts and whitewater rafting adventures with his daughters. In recent years, he could generally be found on the floor putting together puzzles and playing board games with his grandgirls.

During his 47 years of marriage to wife, Barb, they enjoyed cozy times at their converted barn home, making garden-fresh meals, having a cold beer on the front porch, watching movies, and just knowing they always had each other's backs. Their home for 35 years, the Reillys loved being an active part of the Newtown community together.

Just like his father, Mr Reilly was a champion storyteller. No get-together passed without hours of laughter from hearing his tales. He started every morning with The New York Times, loved all things history, and checked the local forecast on the Weather Channel at least five times a day. Mr Reilly was ever loyal to (but often disgruntled with) the New York Giants and the Mets.

His loving wife, Barb; children Megan and Caragh; and Megan's husband Chris Lauri survive Mr Reilly. He adored his grandchildren Emma and Erin Lauri, who will miss Pop Pop terribly. He is also survived by his sister Ann O'Brien of Saratoga Springs, and her husband Michael; three nieces; and four great-nephews. Phone calls from sister-in-law Wendy were often the highlight of his day. Even his granddogs won over his heart.

A memorial service in honor of Mr Reilly's life will take place Friday, December 29, at 11 am, at the Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main Street, in Newtown. A funeral mass will also be held in Saratoga Springs in the new year, on a date to be determined; details will be shared in the future.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following charities that were important to Mr Reilly and his family:www.suffolk.wish.org. Donations can be made in honor of former wish child Emma Lauri.https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Donatehttp://newtownforestassociation.org/get-involved/donate/

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Suffolk County, N.Y.:

National Multiple Sclerosis Society:

Newtown Forest Association: