Roger J. Reidy, Sr.

Roger J. Reidy, Sr. passed away peacefully at the age of 96 on Thursday December 1 surrounded by and wrapped in the love of his children and grandchildren who never left his side.

Roger was born May 24, 1926 in Holyoke, MA to James and Anita (Charpentier) Reidy. Formerly of Dennis Port, MA and Naples, FL Roger was a “Holyoker” from the beginning to the end when he passed away at Daybrook Village in Holyoke after a brief illness. Roger was predeceased in 2019 by the love of his life, Jeanne (Villemaire) Reidy whom he referred to as his bride for 68 beautiful years. They shared children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, love and the blessing of many lifelong friends.

Roger was a determined and hard working youth. He was devoted to his widowed mother and five siblings and arose at 3:00am 6 days a week in order to provide for them by delivering ice for his uncle at the age of 14. His uncle recognized the ambition and blooming entrepreneurship that his nephew possessed and gave Roger a truck and an ice route of his own. Roger saw the potential of this opportunity and with grit, faith and determination he nurtured that small business. The company evolved and expanded over the years from Reidy Ice and Fuel to Reidy Oil and finally to Reidy Energy. Ever grateful for the opportunity he was given, Roger offered positions within his company to his family. In business and in life, Roger passed on to countless others the lessons of his life. Roger retired in 1986 after 43 years in business. Not one to be idle, Roger worked into his nineties. He worked for Medical Alarms in Dennis Port, MA for many years and when he returned to Holyoke he continued to work for his son Roger Jr. installing home medical alarms for Reidy Home Medical Alarms.

Roger found comfort and strength in his Catholic faith throughout his life and always reminded his children that he was buoyed through all of his life’s joys and difficulties by the guidance and beliefs that that strong faith offered. Roger was a communicant of Blessed Sacrament Church at his passing. Throughout his life he found ministry at the parishes where he worshiped. Roger was a member of the Holy Cross Men’s Club and served as an usher at St. William Church in Naples, FL where he also helped tally weekend collections every Monday. And although he may have not been a member of all the many churches of Holyoke, his ministry extended to them as well in that parishioners were able to attend Mass in a warm church thanks to Roger single handedly getting a stubborn boiler back in working order.

Roger was a member of the Holyoke Lodge of the Elks and the Beavers Club and a member of the Holyoke Parade Committee. Roger designed and built beautiful and always award winning floats for the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade including “A Cottage in the Glen,” “Saints and Scholars,”  and in 1976 “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere” celebrating our country’s 200th birthday. For the 1984 parade, he was commissioned by People’s Saving Bank to create a giant balloon-filled birthday cake celebrating their 100th birthday. Roger was a 30 year sponsor of Holyoke Youth Baseball and served as the Parade Marshall in 1985. Roger served People’s Bank for 30 years. In 1969 he was elected a Corporator and in 1974 he was elected to their Board of Trustees. He retired from the Board in 2001 and remained an Honorary Trustee.

Roger took great pride in his business and the journey he took to get there. But that pride paled in comparison to his devotion to his family. Roger and Jeanne were married on January 30, 1951 in Our Lady of the Precious Blood Church. Roger’s business expanded in rapid parallel with his growing family as Roger and Jeanne welcomed eight children over thirteen years. Roger is survived by his daughter Dawn and her husband Edward McCarthy, Jr. of Saugus, MA, Lynette Murphy, Carlene and her husband David Morton, Roger Reidy, Jr. and his wife Margaret "Peggy" who is more of a daughter than a daughter-in-law, and Kathleen Plasse all of Holyoke. Also, James and his wife Debi of Southampton, Suzanne Reidy of Needham, MA and Mary Beth and her husband Dr. Brian Laliberte of Wilbraham. Roger was a beloved Papa to 17 grandchildren Meghan Taggart, Edward III(Jennifer) and Bridget McCarthy, Ryan Murphy, Brenna McGee, Siobhan (Stephen) Sullivan, Timothy, Patrick (Alyssa) Morton, Kevin (Sam) Hammond, Ashley and R. John Reidy III, Kathleen and her fiancé Elliot, Benjamin and Jillian Laliberte, Danielle and Rebecca Plasse. Roger was predeceased by his infant grandson Brian Reidy Morton. Pops also was adored by his great-grandchildren Liam and Colin Taggart, Edward (Teddy) McCarthy IV, Myles, Maille and Mac McGee, Piper, Tate and Hadley Sullivan, Milo and Theo Morton and the newest addition welcomed in July, Daisy Morton.

Roger is survived by his beloved sisters Marie Fitzgerald of Holyoke and Janet Hayward of Chicopee, MA and by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother James and his sisters Claire Campbell and Jean Griffin.

The entire Reidy family extend their gratitude to all at Daybrook Village. Roger cherished his ability to live on his own and along with his family, the Daybrook staff fought alongside Roger to help him maintain his dignity and independence.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday December 6 at 10:00am in Blessed Sacrament Church, 1945 Northampton Street, Holyoke followed by burial in Notre Dame Cemetery, South Hadley. Calling hours are Monday December 5 from 4:00 to 7:00pm in the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, Holyoke. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Roger to Jericho, P.O. Box 1039, Holyoke, MA 01041.

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