Patrick J. Reidy, Jr.

Patrick J. Reidy, Jr., of Newark DE, departed this life peacefully on Thursday, March 10, 2016, at age 95. Mr. Reidy was born on March 15, 1920, in Bayonne NJ. He graduated from Bayonne High School, and he was employed as a machinist at the start of World War II before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. He proudly served in the South Pacific aboard U.S.S. Enterprise, the most decorated warship in the U.S. fleet. On July 14, 1945, he married Isabel M. Duffy, a union that lasted 58 years until her passing in 2003. With their five sons they settled in Newark in 1956, one of dozens of families from Bayonne whose men opened the Tidewater Oil Company’s refinery in Delaware City that year. Mr. Reidy retired in 1983 as Night Superintendent. For many years a faithful member of St. John’s-Holy Angels Parish in Newark, he and Mrs. Reidy became founding members of Holy Family parish at its opening in 1979. Mr. Reidy served for many years as a Boy Scout Leader, coach in youth baseball leagues, participant in adult bowling leagues, and volunteer in various church and community activities. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, St. Michael’s Council. He loved woodcarving and swimming, and, when his shift-work schedule permitted, watching Johnny Carson. After retiring he volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and he took up gardening (becoming a Master Gardener) and cooking. Throughout his life he was known as a man of integrity and reliability, one who held firm beliefs but who also accommodated change. He was always willing to assist neighbors, family members, and even strangers. Like most men of his generation, he expressed his love through deeds more so than words. In addition to his wife Isabel, Mr. Reidy was predeceased by his parents, Patrick J. Reidy and Frances F. Reidy, and two brothers, John Reidy and Thomas (Gerard) Reidy. His survivors include his sons, Joseph (and his wife Patricia of Laurel MD), Anthony (and his wife Mary Louise of Houston TX), Peter (and his wife Bonnie of Dover DE), Justin (and his wife Hilary of Newark) and Thomas (and his wife Karen of Wilmington); 10 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild. Friends of the family may pay their respects from 6 pm until 8 pm on Wednesday evening, March 16, 2016, at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark DE. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11:30 am on Thursday morning, March 17, 2016 at Holy Family Church, 15 Gender Road, Newark DE. Interment will follow in the Delaware Veterans Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be sent to Habitat for Humanity of NCCo, 1920 Hutton Street, Wilmington, DE 19802, or to the American Heart Association, 200 Continental Drive, Ste. 101, Newark, DE 19713, or to the the American Cancer Society, 92 Read’s Way, Ste. 205, New Castle, DE 19720.