Jack Reilly

When we met, Jack was an unemployed actor, or as it was known in those days “he was in between.” He had already accumulated theater credits by that time. I was studying to be a dancer.



Our marriage began in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City after a one year courtship during which time we traveled to Lowell to meet his mother and sisters. They viewed me more with curiosity – they were devoid of judgment – Jack’s warm and lively...

Jack Reilly – A Tribute
1925 - 2009


When we met, Jack was an unemployed actor, or as it was known in those days “he was in between.” He had already accumulated theater credits by that time. I was studying to be a dancer.

Our marriage began in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City after a one year courtship during which time we traveled to Lowell to meet his mother and sisters. They viewed me more with curiosity – they were devoid of judgment –...

I remember growing up in Lowell and telling my friends in school about MY Uncle "The producer for Mike Douglas show" They always replied "yeh right" you don't know him! I once had my Mother tell my friends directly. Then they replied WOW! At that age I almost idolized the man. As time went by and the older I got I realized that he was not a man to idolize but more like a man to try to be like. WHAT a life he had. So many things he did and people he met.
I know he was a great brother to...

Jack, Timmie and the kids had such an impact on our lives when they lived in Omaha. The world was an emptier place when they moved. Jack made my dad laugh like no one else ever could. For that and many other things I loved him. I miss him, but look forward to spending some time with his beautiful children and to closing the gap from when they all left in 1963 to now. See you soon cousins!

I will miss seeing my father and my uncle Jack together. I am very grateful for the stories of my family. I think I will miss his humor most of all. The services in New York made me realize his true impact on so many lives. We will all miss him tremendously.

Our dad loved telling us stories about growing up in Lowell and he was so proud to be from there. His dad, Joseph Reilly, filmed the great flood of the Merrimack River and a few years back he had it put on DVD for us. He told us stories how Lowell survived the great depreession, due to the women who went to work in the factories while the men went off to war.
As young children we would visit his mother Elizabeth Reilly, sisters Barbara O'Riordan, Mary Lach and their families. It was...