Centenarian church-goer credited with being "the world's oldest altar boy"

Born: February 11, 1915;

Died: July 2, 2018

PETER Reilly, who has died aged 103, was credited as being ‘the world’s oldest altar boy.’ Since he was nine Mr Reilly has been associated with St Mary’s, Our Lady Star of the Sea at Saltcoats in Ayrshire. The church dates from 1856 and played a central part in Mr Reilly’s life. He has assisted generations of priests and been a stalwart of the congregation or an officiate since 1924.

He seldom missed a service or a church event and was honoured by two popes. When he hit the century Mr Reilly received greetings from both the Queen and the Pope. Pope Francis sent him a personal blessing and the Queen’s card was hand delivered by a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Ayrshire, Angela Dunbar. After the presentation the Deputy Lord Lieutenant and Mr Reilly joined family and friends at Seamill Hydro for a birthday celebration.

His work for the church and the community was recognised by Pope Benedict XVI who presented Mr Reilly with the Benemerenti Medal – a very special award which dates (in its non-military form) from 1925 when it was given as a mark of recognition for those who had given exceptional service to the Church.

Ageing did not reduce Mr Reilly’s commitment to St Mary’s, although he admitted in recent years that he had “some problems with balance.” When he was 100 he told friends, “I was frightened I’d fall on the steps of the altar. But I haven’t given up. I hope to resume if I get these bally knees going again.”

Peter Reilly’s family had long connections with St Mary’s as his parents had acquired the land for the church in 1936. Mr Reilly was educated at St Mary’s Primary School, Saltcoats and later in Fort Augustus Abbey where he was head boy; later, he joined his father in running the family butter and egg importing business. He also served as chief invigilator for national exams in St Michael’s Academy in Kilwinning - a post he took most seriously. He admitted, when he spoke to the Irvine Burns Club, he had little hesitation in accepting but in his speech there were also more light-humoured moments. “On discovering” Mr Reilly recalled “that I invigilated at exams in St Michael's one local businessman enquired as to what happened when cheating occurred during an exam. The answer was not what he expected, for none was to be found.”

Mr Reilly lived all his life in the same house in Manse Street in which he had been born. But it was his devotion to St Mary’s that, in many ways, governed his life. The parish priest, Father Graeme Bell, at St Mary’s has calculated that since his first duties as an altar boy Mr Reilly has assisted over 30 priests. “Peter,” Father Bell said at a service to celebrate Mr Reilly’s 100th birthday, “is a great example of service to St Mary's and the community.”

Mr Reilly’s zest for life remained undiminished in old age. Up until recently he was taking French lessons and he also “dabbled” in Italian. Mr Reilly’s nephew, Joe Timmons, said that his Uncle Peter “had helped my mother (Mr Reilly’s sister) to raise eight children. He looked after us when we were young; now he is old, we are looking after him.”

Mr Reilly travelled abroad often with the church and made seven visits to Rome and regularly visited the Marian shrine at Lourdes.

He was well-known and much respected throughout the community of Saltcoats for his generous spirit, courtesy and kindly manner. “I don’t think I have missed mass a day in my life” he told a reporter at his 100th birthday who also asked for his secret for a long and happy life. “A healthy diet, say your prayers every day and moderation in everything.”

ALASDAIR STEVEN