Brian Andrew Reardon, 71, of Provincetown and Boston, MA, passed away unexpectedly of a heart attack at Cape Cod Hospital on May 18, 2021. Predeceased by his father, George Daniel Reardon, his mother, Ruth Salter Reardon, and his sister, Marcia Reardon Thomas, Brian was born in Quincy, raised in Hingham and lived most of his life in Boston. He had recently retired to Provincetown with his beloved partner, Drew Kawasaki.
A handsome, kind and diligent person, with a good heart and a ready smile, Brian was a hard worker from the start, running a paper route as a child with 100 customers in his Hingham neighborhood. He was a graduate of Thayer Academy and Georgetown University, where hesang with the concert choir, before receiving his MBA from Babson College. Returning to Quincy, he worked several years at his father’s business, President Chevrolet, before moving to work in the administrative offices of General Dynamics at the Fore River Shipyard, where one of his favorite experiences was being assigned to paint the hull of a liquified natural gas ship during a general labor strike. He retired from Fidelity Investments in Boston.
During his first “retirement” Brian became volunteer Treasurer of the Arlington Street Church, and a member of its Prudential Committee. He kept an eye on church records and the church property, and was an excellent church steward. He also worked as the Church Administrator and Building Manager of the Church of the Covenant in Boston, seeing the church through change, growth and crisis, including the damage to and replacement of its Tiffany windows. A simple issue like installing the heating system became complicated and sensitive in the setting of an historic church, with problems of noise and acoustics. Brian helped the Church to navigate these issues successfully and with grace.
Retiring, once again, to Provincetown, Brian became active in the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House, and, with his beautiful baritone voice, a supporter and occasional member of the choir. He also worked on front desk at Seashore Point, a local senior residence and care facility, until the start of the pandemic. His UU congregation remembers his good work for the Methodist church Soup Kitchen and other non-profits, as well as his love and support for the Meeting House.
Brian was proud to be descended from John Cashman, a Quincy quarry owner who had been a superintendent of construction of the Pilgrim Monument, which was completed in 1910.Brian was an astute investor, and owned property in Montserrat, Provincetown, and Boston. He was a generous and welcoming host, and his home with Drew was a favorite gathering place for extended family Thanksgivings. Brian and Drew rejoiced in family reunions and in family homes in Montserrat and Maine. Brian had celebrated his birthday in March skiing in New Hampshire with his brother Bill, and had just returned from a happy stay in Key West. In 2020 he and Drew enjoyed a three-week trip to Egypt and Jordan as well as a vacation in Monserrat. Often a person behind the scenes, he was a rock on whom employers, church communities and family members leaned. Modest and self-deprecating, he was someone who got things done, often when no-one was paying particular attention. His death leaves a great hole in the hearts of his family and friends.
Brian was beloved by his partner, Drew, and his siblings and their spouses: Daniel and Elizabeth (Morse) Reardon of East Greenwich, RI; William and Katharine (Weston) Reardon of Hingham, MA; Philippe Thomas of Montreal, Canada; Patricia Reardon and Andrew Vorkink of North Hampton, NH; and George and Susan (Erburu) Reardon of South Pasadena, CA. He also leaves thirty-five beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and grand-nephews, many cousins, and countless friends and work associates who are bereft at his unexpected passing but rejoice in his having been part of their lives.
A funeral service will be at 11:00 am, Tuesday, May 25, 2021, at the Gately Funeral Home, 94 Harry Kemp Way, Provincetown, MA. COVID restrictions, including masks, social distancing and building capacity will be observed.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Brian’s memory may be made to the Women’s Lunch Place, PO Box 02117-1130, Boston, MA.. 02117-1130 or to the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House, 236 Commercial Street, Provincetown, MA 02657.