Galway fiddler Larry Reynolds, widely credited for keeping Irish traditional music vibrant in greater Boston over the past sixty years, died last Wednesday, October 3, from Amyloidosis, a rare disease that caused congestive heart failure. He was 80 years old.
He is survived by his wife Phyllis, six children, nineteen grandchildren and twogreat-grandchildren, and by his sister Eleanor Courier of Orange, CA, and brother, Sean Reynolds of Ahascragh, Co. Galway, along with dozens of nieces and nephews.
One of thirteen children born and raised in Ahascragh, County Galway, near Ballinasloe, Reynolds is widely regarded as one of Boston's most influential Irish figures over the past half century, certainly in the field of Irish culture and music.
He was noted for his fine fiddle playing and his leadership in building the Boston branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann into one of the most vibrant chapters in the world.
But Reynolds was also well-regarded for his generosity and geniality over the past six decades, performing at countless fundraisers, weddings and wakes, supporting Irish and religious causes, and never saying no when asked to help.
"The man from Ahascragh has gone home," said his oldest son, Larry Reynolds, Jr., himself a noted accordionist.
"It's ironic that a man with a heart of gold would have to die from a rare heart disease," he said.
A wake will be held at the Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Wednesday, October 10, from 3 to 9 p.m. and again at 9:15 a.m. on Thursday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Jude Church, 147 Main Street, Waltham where a funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Saint Mary's Cemetery, Needham.
Memorial donations may be made to The Larry Reynolds Memorial Scholarship Fund for the CCE Boston Music School in care of Michael Hickey, Treasurer, 100 Woodpecker Road, Stoughton, MA 02072.
