A well-known St. John’s lawyer has passed away.

Thomas Joseph O’Reilly passed away on Saturday following a brief illness, he was 78.

A native of Corner Brook, O’Reilly was called to the Bar in 1968 and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1980. He was a former President of the Law Society and the Newfoundland and Labrador Branch of the Canadian Bar Association.

Best Lawyers in Canada named O’Reilly as St. John’s Insurance Law ‘Lawyer of the Year’ earlier this year.

He also served on a number of boards and committees over the years including Chair of the Marystown Shipyard, Director of St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital and chair of the hospital’s Ethics Committee.

He was also a champion and supporter of the Gathering Place.

He is resting at Carnell’s Funeral Home. Funeral Mass at the Basilica on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. Interment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.