Burlington Active Fire Captain’s passing honoured at City Hall

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Published March 1, 2021 at 5:18 pm

The City of Burlington lowered the flags at City Hall, Monday, in honour of the death of Active Fire Captain Peter Reilly.

Reilly, 60, a longtime member of the Burlington Fire Department, died peacefully at his residence with his children at his side on Saturday following a courageous battle with occ disease.

A graduate of St. Thomas More High School in Hamilton and the University of Western Ontario and King’s University College, Reilly began his firefighting career with the Etobicoke Fire Department before arriving in Burlington in 1989.

With over 30 years of service and highly respected by his peers with the Burlington Fire Department, Reilly rose to Captain in 2009.

“Truly saddened by this tragic loss to our community,” Burlington Mayor Marianne Weed said on her Twitter feed. “Sending our deepest condolences to Peter’s family, loved ones and our @BurlingtonFire community.”

He dedicated many hours to volunteering, spending hours helping the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Grimsby, McMaster Children’s Hospital, Juravinski Hospital and the Canadian Cancer Society among others.

Led by his devout Catholic faith, he also coached hockey, lacrosse, soccer and football in the Grimsby area.

“Peter’s life was full, and much of his happiness during life was at the Reilly family cottage at Beckley Beach, Lake Erie,” said his obituary on the P.X. Dermody’s Funeral Homes site. “A devoted proud father, his greatest gift was his four children.

The son of Vyvyan and Russell Reilly, he was the loving father of Shaughn, Kyra and Zack, Quinn, and Kael.

Visitation is at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, located at 135 Livingston Ave., Grimsby, on Tuesday and Wednesday, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, all visitors must register through the funeral home’s website by going to www.dermodys.com or by calling 905-388-4141. Masking and social distancing rules are in effect.

A funeral mass will be held at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Grimsby on Thursday, March 4 at 11:00 a.m. For the live stream, click here.

Photo credits: Burlington Fire Department

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