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Sean Patrick O'Reilly

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Fordham University Seattle University

Sean O'Reilly Obituary

Sean Patrick O'REILLY Our Sean - a beautiful and eloquent voice for love and spirit - unexpectedly passed to the other side on July 22, 2009. Born in Rockaway Beach, NY on Mother's Day, May 10th 1959, Sean graduated from Fordham University with a B.S. in Psychology. Thereafter, he completed two Masters Degrees - a Masters of Divinity (St. Patrick's Seminary, Menlo Park, CA) and a Masters in Psychology (Seattle University) - and was ordained in Hawaii.An extraordinary man, Sean wore many hats: Air Force and hospital chaplain, international tour director, psychotherapist, Celtic and interfaith minister, spiritual director, public speaker, poet and budding author. In more recent years, Sean became renowned for his work as a celebrant of all occasions for life's transitions - the welcoming of children, weddings and commitments, anniversaries, birthdays and rituals of aging, and funerals and memorials. He customized every ceremony by writing and designing it for the personalities involved. And he delivered those ceremonies with light-hearted enthusiasm and heart-felt spirit. In all of this, he became a seven-time award winner of Seattle Bride Magazine's Best Officiant/Minister. Sean now joins his father, Brian Leo O'Reilly, who preceded him in death, and leaves behind Mary, his mother; Brian Jr., his brother; David Skover, his life partner; and his extended family and numerous dear friends. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him. A memorial service to celebrate Sean's creative and inspiring life will be held in early fall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brian P. O'Reilly Special Needs Trust.For information, please call 206-353-3283.

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

Published by The Seattle Times from Aug. 2 to Aug. 3, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Sean O'Reilly

31 Entries

Colleen Toepfer

June 19, 2010

So sorry! He will be missed by many. Saying prayers for all the loved ones he left behind. Including all his followers of Christ. :)

henry frias

February 16, 2010

Dear Sean,
I can't explain why I decided to reach out and say hello to you today. Perhaps since I had not heard from you during the holidays, Christmas i.e. You were always pretty noble about calling or sending your latest newsletter to my parents house. I can't believe what I am reading my friend.n There was so much we still had to catch up on over the past few years...graduating highschool together seems like yesterday ...
You were always unique and I admired you for that...always with a God Bless...Johnny boy God smiles on you now...Sean I am so so sorry that I didn't call sooner. Forgive me friend and keep me in your thoughts as you always said you did...You're always be a part of me...

Till later Sean.

Henry

Brian call me (973}978-0820

Michael Baker

February 6, 2010

An amazing man with amazing talents and smile. A truely great friend to everyone. I just found out about Sean's passing. We lost a great friend but we will always have him in our heart.

Sean Patrick at Tracy Castle in July 2008 (with brides maids)

Cynthia Cousens-Jacobs

November 9, 2009

Another Sean moment at my son Gav and Cayman's wedding in July 2008.

Can't you just feel his joy and light?

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Welling

November 8, 2009

We felt a powerful connection with Sean upon meeting for the first time in his west lake office. And we will always be profoundly grateful that he chose to offer his talents, energy and spirit to celebrate our wedding day in July, 2006. I will always admire Sean's creativity--his intuition and uncommon flair--and the way he showed up in the world bringing humor and wit and an infectious sense of play. I just learned of his passing and will miss him very much. Adam and I offer our love and sympathy to his family and friends.

Staci Weller

November 1, 2009

Sean inspired people to move from the darkness into the light. He reminded people of what was really important: LOVE. My husband Tom and I were most fortunate to have him officiate our wedding in 2000, he bought true essence and magic . My hope is that his energy and spirit continues to inspire all of those he touched to shine in the precious time we have left. Love to all

Gregory Barrette

October 21, 2009

Sean was a good friend during a very difficult time in my life in Hawaii in the eighties. He let me give the homily at one of his masses and I bequesthed him my beloved boogie board when I moved away. A deep whimsical spirit. What a brilliant light! No one will ever forget his unique spirit.

Madonna Cacciatore

August 31, 2009

I hadn't seen Sean in years and just found out that he crossed over. The very first image I saw was his smile. There was nothing like it. Blessings to his partner and his entire family.

He was a bright light for anyone who met him, even if only briefly.

Karen Rio

August 19, 2009

Sean married my husband Kevin and I in September 2005. I saw him "do his magic" at a friends wedding a couple years earlier and always remembered his amazing gift. I felt so fortunate to have him be a part of our wedding day.

When we were preparing for the ceremony, he told us he had a feeling that our first child would be a girl and she would be quite a handful for us. He was right on both accounts :-)

Seattle has lost an amazing member of our community, but he will live in our hearts forever.

jen Cannard

August 17, 2009

Matt and I were so blessed to have Sean marry us a little over a decade ago. His incredible love, bright spirit, humor and acceptance of everyone in his life around him are just a few traits that made him so special. He will be surely missed by all but never forgotten.

-Jen and Matt Cannard

Paul Lehto

August 14, 2009

I've never known anyone with the radiance and light of Sean Patrick O'Reilly. No wonder he excelled at the celebration of marriages! I've seen him more than once, and my brother and sister in law chose him for their wedding, which was extraordinarily beautiful with Sean as the catalyst and leader of the ceremony. He will long be recalled, remembered, and influential.

Annemarie Juhlian

August 13, 2009

I loved Sean's beautiful spirit, verve and grand sense of humor. He was a magnificant man and in so many ways, inspired me to be the best Celebrant possible. My heart and thoughts are with his beloved David (whom he lovingly spoke of to me) and his family and friends.

August 11, 2009

Although I met Sean only once during a family wedding service that he delivered in PA, I felt I had known him always. Everyone loved him immediately and really enjoyed our time with him. I have thought of and spoke of Sean often since that day, and will continue to do so. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and his beloved partner. May you take comfort in remembering always, the love and happiness he brought to so many during his journey here on earth. He made such a lasting impression with me...I am blessed to have known him.
Cheryl Greenawalt (San Diego, CA)

Rev. Lila Rapcewicz

August 10, 2009

I met Sean at the Interfaith Community Church in Ballard about 8 years ago where he was a guest speaker. He inspired mye in my own ministry and I had the joy of attending a couple of weddings he performed. May the Goddess
Brigit shine a light of Love to your family and friends.

Flor Fernandez

August 7, 2009

To David, Brian and Mary my prayers are with you. I had the pleasure to meet Sean in the building where we both had offices. Sean's spirit dances around us. His beautiful smile and warmth are always in my mind everyday as I pass by his office. What an incredible being of light and love he was! His wings are large and bright.
I'll miss him. His presence in this world touched many.

MaryJane O'Keefe

August 7, 2009

Sean is my brother in Spirit. I will miss him deeply. I will always love his poet's soul. I will love and miss his mischievous and contagious smile! (I will always remember decorating the public statuary in downtown Seattle with St. Patrick's Day decor! ) Every time I do ritual for any holiday or special event, I will always remember Sean and his beautiful and loving nature and spiritual leadership and will bring his spirit to the alter. The planet has lost a loving soul, but his spirit will live on in those of us who's lives he touched in so many ways. May God bless his partner, David and his brother Brian and his mother, Mary and help them through this time of what must be enormous pain and loss. Our hearts and thoughts are with you.

Debra aka Vulcana Wolfe

August 7, 2009

From land, sea, and sky - my life was blessed in every dimension by Sean Patrick. We enjoyed great times together - at the Irish Festival, planning Celtic circles, debating variations on the themes of all things Gael, all things of God, all things of the mind and heart. This man was a sweet and cherished friend, and I will ever appreciate our times together, as well as those with David, beloved David. It is a great honor to have known you both. I will always remember...

When MJ and I go to Ireland next year, we plan to do a little memorial in a sacred place. But we know he is among the Shining Ones, his smile lighting the heavens. His laugh, music to the ears of Danu.

And every Samhain, when we place an extra setting, we will have the candles, and the fires burning, and salmon, hazelnuts and apples and we will drum. We will drum with the heart beat of Eternity, knowing that this precious thing we call Life is indeed blessed all the more for such as Sean were here.

The Circle - Sean Patrick, Gav and Cayman

Cynthia Cousens-Jacobs

August 6, 2009

Sean Patrick officiated over my son's (and beautiful daughter-in-law, Cayman's) wedding in July 2008. He brought such joy to the occasion. My son Gavriel survived serious injuries from the war in Iraq so this was an especially poignant moment for all of us. To life, Sean Patrick. To life. We will never forget you.

Sara Crossett

August 6, 2009

I just heard of Sean's passing, he was an inspiration to all that had the priviledge of knowing him and he will be greatly missed. Sean helped me make a life changing decision and he will be in my heart forever. Thank you for sharing him with us all.

Ron and Patty Dunlap

August 4, 2009

To Mary Brian and David, We were so very sorry and shocked to hear of Sean's passing. He was such a wonderful man ,he had a smile and a kind word for everyone that crossed his path.He will be missed greatly by everyone in the Junction. Ron and Patty (Russell's Jlr's)

Penny Pickett Simmons

August 3, 2009

David and family,
Sean was one of those life experiences everyone should be so lucky to have been a part of. A wonderful person, who left exceptional wealth of spirit with all of us who were so fortunate to have known him.
Banquet Event Resource Inc.

Erin Sweeney-Denman

August 3, 2009

I have been gone for a couple of weeks and just learned of Sean's passing. I am so sad and will miss him greatly. He was larger than life and such a wonderful man. Please let me know when the memorial is as I would love to attend. My warmest regards to David.
- Erin Sweeney-Denman; A Wedding by Design

Angela Bursua

August 3, 2009

Sean married my husband and I on Thanksgiving Day 2000 (11.23.2000) in Parson's Garden on Queen Anne Hill. He was such a lovely, humorous, heart-warming, and inspiring individual. He helped make our day unforgettable. His loving presence will always be appreciated and remembered.

On behalf of both my husband and I please accept our heart felt condolences for your loss. He will be greatly missed.

Angela and Brian Bursua (Chicago, IL)

David Kulo Jr

August 3, 2009

To David, Mary & Brian: Remembering Sean back in New York in the 80's recalls many fun times. He was one of a kind. My condolences especially to David, whom I never had a chance to meet, and Brian - remembering the times we spent in the old days skiing and hanging out - my thoughts are with you during this difficult time. May Sean's memory bring you comfort, and may he rest is peace.

Deena Fuller

August 2, 2009

To David and Family - I met Sean at a Celtic meeting and was so impressed by his warmth, wit and that special insight he had. When my husband and I were looking for an officiant for our wedding, we chose Sean. His wise words have helped sustain and enrich our marriage. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We are happy knowing that Sean's spirit will always be with us.

Deena Fuller and Peller Phillips

Lisa Watsa

August 2, 2009

Sean was truly one of a kind, an inimitable and irrascible spirit, much loved by all who knew him. May he rest in peace. Our thoughts & prayers with his family and most of all, his beloved partner, David.
Lisa & Jyo x

Maura Quinn-Solomon

August 2, 2009

Sean has been enriching my life ever since the first Gaelic Society Meeting I attended at Fordham in 1979. Special memories include; St. Patrick's Day Parades, Ordination in Hawaii,trips to Canada,dances, softball league, and visits with his family. Seattle won't be the same without you to visit. Mo Gra Thu.

Ali Basye

August 2, 2009

Sean was one of those very special people who was always so full of light, love and happiness that he could immediately turn your day around and put a smile on your face. His ceremonies were truly gifted in that he was "in love with love"—words he himself once told me—and he was so enthusiastic in conveying that for couples. My heart and thoughts are with David, his partner in life and love, and all of his family and friends.

Chelsea Loshbaugh

August 2, 2009

My husband and I are shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Sean Patrick. He was our wonderful celebrant at our wedding last fall. During our wedding he also blessed our daughter. We are so honored to have had him a part of this time. We send our deepest sympathies to his family and to David. Sean was an amazing spirit that will be truly missed.
Chelsea and Gabe Loshbaugh
Bellevue, WA

Gayle O'Donnell

August 2, 2009

Jim & I have had Sean on our minds endlessly this week since learning of the devastating news of his passing. We will miss him terribly and pray David will find peace as he makes his way,knowing Sean is close by always.

Our love and compassion,
Gayle and Jim O'Donnell
All About Weddings
Tukwila, WA

Kristy and Tim Evans

August 2, 2009

To the Partner and Family of Sean: Sean performed at the wedding of our daughter and son-in-law (Sara and Jeff Davis) almost 2 years ago. He truly made the wedding special with his wit and flair, which matched the bride and groom to a "t". He came to our home for the rehearsal dinner and he felt like one of the family. We all just adored him and were looking forward to having him hopefully be a part of our next family wedding as well. He was a very special, caring man and we were so sad to see of his passing. Our condolences to all of you.

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