George Reilly
Oct. 28, 1932 - Jan. 13, 2015
Resident of San Jose
Colonel George Reilly, USMC retired passed away February 13, 2015 at his home surrounded by his family. George was born October 28, 1932 in New York City. He graduated from Manhattan Prep, and Manhattan College. He received an MBA from SJSU and JD from Lincoln Law.
George loved his faith, wife, family, Irish heritage and USMC. He never missed an opportunity to march in the New York St. Patrick's Day Parade or wear his kilt to the Reilly Kilt Klassic Golf Tournament.
George was an active member of Manhattan Alumni, Treasure Island Museum, St. Lucy's lecture and USMC retired. He lived his passions for politics, community, history, sports and a sense of fair play. He was a willing volunteer for any cause he believed in most especially when it came to his children and grandchildren's pursuits. George, his happy smile and his irrepressible story telling will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flower please consider making a contribution to the Christopher W. Reilly Scholarship fund at Bellarmine College Prep, San Jose. https://bcp.org/supportbcp/
A celebratory mass will be held on Saturday, February 21 at Bellarmine Chapel 10:30am
Lima Family

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on Feb. 18, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for George Reilly

Sponsored by Claire Wahrhaftig.

27 Entries

November 23, 2019

I met Colonel Reilly many years ago when I became friends with his son Kieran. One year I was invited to their annual family Christmas party. Needless to say, everyone in the family is a great human being. My interactions were few, but from afar. Most of what I learned about Col. Reilly was through his family members.

Kieran and I remain friends to this day after over 14 years of friendship. I owe this to the influence Colonel Reilly had on his family. His son has been a big brother to me for many years, and I am fortunate to witness the legacy of what his father started.(I am an only child, and have 3 adult children of my own.)

Much love to Kieran and the rest of theReilly clan! Sincerely, Johnna Lee Avery (Note: I'm 1/4 Irish. Grandma was a Manning. Also, am a DAR. Great-grandpa x 5 was Matthew Arbuckle of the American Revolution. I always appreciate a fighting spirit!)

Jode (Costanza) Pulley

January 6, 2016

I was trying to locate my old childhood friend, Colleen Reilly, when I came across the knowledge that her Dad, George Reilly, passed away last year.

To the entire Reilly family, my heartfelt and sincere condolences at the loss of your husband, father, and grandfather here. I have many memories of times spent at your house as a child...family dinners around your very big table, and late night hide and seek games in Hartley Court. :) I remember loving being at your house and the fun of your big Irish-Catholic family.

As you approach the one year anniversary of your father's passing, may you find joy in your memories and peace as well.

With heartfelt sympathy,
Jode (Costanza) Pulley

* Colleen, I would really like to
get reconnected with you. My Mom also
just passed away last month.

Patty Lear

October 15, 2015

Just found out about this. Loved George. Anyone who knew him laughed and learned a lot. There was only one George. Loved him.

donald costello

April 27, 2015

I met George Reilly and his family in 1952 and feel we were good friends from that time on. I watched and joined in his enthusiasm for Irish culture and marched in the St. Patrick Day parade in New York 10 times many with George.

I respected his talents in all his endeavors and loved his wife Peggy also. I may be wrong but I think I fixed George and Peggy up around 1953. I was friends with the Cleary's since I was a boy in St. Angela Medici's parish.

My prayers will continue for George and the whole great family.

May he rest in peace ....

Daniel Rafferty

February 25, 2015

George was an officer and a gentleman. When I first met him, I remarked to him on what seemed to be a Canadian flag pin in his lapel. With barely a flinch, he informed me that it was a US Marines pin!
George and I often had a chat after Mass when we discussed the latest Irish political events. I will miss his roguish smile.

February 21, 2015

Please accept our sincere sympathy. The neighborhood respected George tremendously. It will not be the same without his big smile, wave and kind word given to all. Our thoughts and prayers go to George's family at this difficult time.
Jim and Loretta Heckendorn

February 21, 2015

Dear Peg & Family,
I am so sorry for the loss of your husband and father.
Lois K. Martins

Tammy Foley

February 20, 2015

Peg, sending prayers and condolence to you at this time. Tammy Foley

Priscilla Romero

February 20, 2015

My deepest condolences to you & your family... Sending many prayers your way.

Sincerely
Priscilla Romero

February 20, 2015

In our thoughts and prayers,
Katie & Winchell

February 20, 2015

George was a really good man, rare in today's world. He was honest and kind. We knew he always had our backs. He will be missed by many. Thank you . He will be missed. George and Ruth Nieman

kathleen gartland

February 20, 2015

George was an inspiration to our family, loved by all of us. To Peg and all the family we express our deepest sympathy at this very sad time for all of you. We will miss his regular emails keeping up to date with the family tree. God Bless

February 19, 2015

deepest condolences on your loss. We all remember George fondly and are keeping you all in our prayers. The Cawley's of New York

Catherine Cawley

February 19, 2015

Rest in peace George

Sr.Marion McGillicuddy .SU

February 19, 2015

In celebration of Col.George's life,with gratitude for his faith lived authentically,for his devotion to family,especially,wife Peggy,and pride in being a Marine,and Irish.

Bunny Kelley

February 19, 2015

For the hole he left in your lives and your hearts, I am truly and deeply sorry.

Clare Telford

February 18, 2015

George, I miss you. Every so often the Creator gifts us with one man whose life is an outstanding testament to the very best of being human. You were such a man. Your devotion to family, friends, faith, and ethical code of conduct, garnered you the admiration of those who were fortunate enough to know you. It was my great honor to have been among those to whom you gave of your time and talents. Your passion for life was unwavering.
My heartfelt thoughts and sympathies go out to Peg and all the family. Those who knew George were indeed blessed.

Danny Stauber

February 18, 2015

"The Colonel" will be sorely missed by many, but his memory will live on. His wisdom and wit were gifts from God, and I will always remember the many "interesting" & "challenging" conversations we had over the years!!!
My sincerest condolences to Mrs. Reilly & the kids...
Danny Stauber - Family Friend

Justin Reilly (youngest son)

February 18, 2015

My father will be greatly missed but never forgotten. He protected our family and his country. He lived his life with integrity and compassion. His gift for storytelling will never be duplicated.

Thank you to everyone for your kind words.

February 17, 2015

We will miss you walking the neighborhood and offering words of wisdom. We send our prayers for you and your loving family.

The Panconi family

fjohn reinke (mc1968)

February 17, 2015

The Manhattan College alumni community shares the grief, and is now praying for our fellow alumni and the family at this time. The Alumni Office has been informed. As well as the Jasper Jottings community that I personally can reach. We are all a little poorer now. "No man is an island, entire of itself ... any mans death diminishes me". We are sorry for your loss.

Ferris Family

February 17, 2015

We will miss seeing Col. Reilly take his daily walks in our neighborhood and we will miss our conversations with him. He always had positive & encouraging words for our children, he even took time out to come watch our 11 year old son's basketball games. Col. Reilly was a true officer & gentleman - may he rest in peace.

Our prayers are with Peggy and the extended family.

Bernard Nebenzahl

February 16, 2015

George was a wonderful fellow board member. Intelligent, thoughtful, bright, hardworking, friendly, helpful, never stood on ceremony, got in and did what needed to be done. He was always easy to be with. I will miss his company and friendship on the Board. He was a source of strength on the Treasure Island Museum Board and will be sorely missed.

February 16, 2015

Not enough words for this totally solid man who loved his family his country and his faith. Always helping the underdog. Met George over 40 years ago as he tried to assist the farmers in their unjustified treatment coming from the City of San Jose planning department during the rezoning of the Coyote area to allow IBM to locate on Bailey Ave. actually George was the man who coined the area COYOTE VALLEY. We kicked it for some time. George, Rip, and myself. Our hearts go out to all the Reilly family . With much love the entire Ken Saso family starting with Tony and Rose RIP.

Phil & Bev Lenihan

February 15, 2015

Dearest Peg & family--George will forever hold warm thoughts and smiles in our hearts. His principles and values were reminders to each of us to be and do our best every day.
We cherish our long family relationship-and college friendship. With love-Phil & Bev Lenihan

Ollie Mulchrone

February 15, 2015

To Peg and Family, We are so sorry to have learned of George's passing. We remember him with the fondest memories that will be cherished forever.
Ollie, Ger and the Mulchrone Family.

Claire Wahrhaftig

February 15, 2015

Geroge Riley was a true gentleman, courteous, considerate and thoughtful. As a thirty year Board Member of the Treasure Island Museum Association, George was a major supporter, steady, optimistic, and conciliatory when needed. I admired his pride and loyalty to the Marines. He passionately represented the proud Naval history of Treasure Island, when more people were aware of the Golden Gate International Exposition. I shall dearly miss him at our TIMA events and meetings where his wise and steadying hand was quietly felt in our many meetings and events. My deepest sympathies to you and the family---- Claire Isaacs Wahrhaftig, Past President, TIMA

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