Roger P. Reynolds

Roger Patrick Reynolds (94)

Mokena, IL

Roger P. Reynolds (March 13, 1921 – December 27, 2015) was
born in County Sligo Ireland, the youngest of 4 sons of John and Ann (Price) Reynolds.

Having little interest in the family farm (which produced little) he went to school to become an instructor in Gaelic. Upon finding that he could not make a living as a teacher, he took up the career of a carpenter finding work when and where he could. He met a girl from County Meath who quickly became the apple of his eye and married Margaret Carey on February 23, 1957. Looking for work and adventure the newlyweds traveled across the ocean, first to Canada, then to the United States settling in the Chicago area in 1959. They already had two children in tow of the seven they would raise.

Continuing his trade, Roger found work regularly on commercial jobs like the John Hancock Center, O’Hare Airport, Sears Tower and also occasional home building. It was the latter, a development project which brought the family to Mokena in 1980. In 2014 Roger and Margaret “retired” to an assisted living center in Effingham, IL. She was at his side when he went to St. Peter’s gate.

Roger was a member of the Carpenters’ Local Union 62, St. Louis de Montfort Church and St. Mary Church. He loved working with his hands and taking on odd projects, Irish Radio, dancing and especially banter (which he simply referred to as having discussions). He clearly had the gift of gab, and with an Irish brogue, even after some small strokes, was a challenge to get a word in edgewise. For Roger this was his way of being in relationship with people and mostly in good humor.

He is survived by Margaret, his bride of 58 years; children Thomas Reynolds (spouse Lori), Rosemary Reynolds, Geraldine Haloup, Angela Woods (spouse Daniel), Brian Reynolds (spouse Gina), and Diane Walsh; eight (8) grandchildren; and one great-grandson. Roger was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, his son Roger M. Reynolds and a grandson, Colin B. Woods.