Joseph Brendan Reynolds of Franklin, Tennessee

July 20, 2020

He is loved and will be dearly missed by his loving wife of near 56 years, Ann (Phinney) Reynolds of Natick, MA., his six children and their spouses; Colleen (Kenji), Kojima; Erin (McNairy) Morel, Meghan (Don) Naim, Brendan Reynolds; Caitlin Messerschmitt, and Moirin Reynolds; and his 12 Grandchildren, Ai and Tokio Kojima, Laura, Lynde, Landon (Tori), Liam, Luke, Lizbeth, and Lachlyn Morel, Joshua and Bradley Naim, and Calliope Messerschmitt. He is also loved by his sister Brenda (Reynolds) McGovern and nephews Phillip, Kevin and John McGovern; his brother-in-law Tom Kennedy and nephews Patrick and Michael (Robin) Kennedy and grandnephew Timothy Kennedy as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents Agnes (Navin) and Joseph Brendan Reynolds Sr; his sister Mary (Reynolds) Kennedy and grandniece Caitlin Kennedy.

Joseph was born 1941 in Pittsfield, MA. His family owned Garden Gables Guesthouse in Lenox, MA.  He graduated from Cranwell Prep in Lenox, MA and attended St Mary's College in Halifax NS. He returned to MA, worked for Friendly’s Restaurant, and joined the Manager Training Program.  This took him to many locations across New England including Natick, MA where he met Ann.

In 1963, he graduated from Airline Training School and became a gate agent for Allegheny Airlines at McArthur Airport, Islip, (Long Island-NY). He married Ann at St Patrick Catholic Church, Natick, MA in 1964.  They moved to Lake Ronkonkoma, NY where they had two daughters.   In 1968, he moved to Pittsburgh, PA Operations Center for Allegheny Airlines (which later became USAirways) and trained to become an FAA-licensed Airline Dispatcher. They lived in Hopewell Township, Aliquippa, PA, where they raised their six children.  After 40 years with USAirways (now American Airlines), Joe retired as an airline dispatcher and they moved to Franklin TN in 2010.

Joe loved helping people. He volunteered at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Hopewell Twp and St. Philip Church Franklin, TN, 4H, Girl Scouts, Homeschool Field Trips, Habitat for Humanity, 40 Days for Life, TN Right to Life’s Yes on One Amendment (2014) and others.  At St. Philip he was a member of the Men’s Tuesday Bible Study, the Men’s Saturday Book Study, First Friday Adoration and the Senior Group.

Family time gave him the most joy. His hobbies included vegetable gardening, chopping firewood, walks and bicycling through the neighborhood, cheering for the grandkids (and the Red Sox). He was a gentle, compassionate presence, blessed with a kind and loving heart, who left a remarkable impression on those who knew him.  Pop’ Joe -You will be missed!

Memorial Mass will be held 10:30 am, August 8, 2020 at St. Philip Catholic Church in the large sanctuary, 113 2 ^nd Ave s, Franklin, TN.  Interment will be private.

Covid restrictions: Masks and social distancing will be required at Funeral mass.  We hope to record and upload the video for family and friends      who cannot attend.  Request the video link by emailing the email address below.

Email your memories of Joe to share with the family: [email protected]

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to:

TN Right to Life, 409 Welshwood Dr, Nashville TN 37211

India Education Fund, c/o St Philip Church, 113 2nd Ave S, Franklin, TN 37064