Jack Reilly Obituary

REILLY--Jack, died May 27th, 2009 at 84 in NYC. He began his career as an actor and moved to television in 1953. He was Exec Producer for the Mike Douglas and David Frost Shows and in the late 70s was hired as the Senior Producer of Good Morning America. In '82 Reilly became the Executive Producer of Entertainment Tonight, then returned to GMA in '86 as Executive Producer where it became the #1 morning show and won him the Daytime Emmy. With Roger Ailes, Reilly launched the cable network "America's Talking", that evolved into MSNBC. He became Vice President and Managing Editor of Business News at CNBC where he created the shows "Squack Box" and "Power Lunch". At CNBC he pioneered the practice of producing live financial news from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. He will be missed by his four children, five grandchildren, many friends and coworkers. For a tribute to his life see http://www.jackreilly.org.

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Published by New York Times on Jun. 21, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Jack Reilly

6 Entries

Timmie Reilly

June 19, 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 – Jack’s warm and lively family literally embraced me as a new member of their family. His mother became my mother. I came to recognize the intrinsic humanity and intelligence that pervaded the family’s DNA - a solid spiritual foundation Jack inherited. He was an artist who later became a great executive in the television industry – multi-talented as acknowledged from all who knew him in the profession - he was also truly loved by his peers. Our marriage continued for the next 27 years in which, we raised four children together, Deborah, Christopher, Linda and Stephanie. I am truly thankful that Jack and I were able to reconnect during the past few years thus affording us the time to recognize our better selves that came as a result of our transformational experiences, a family member in crises - the aging process - together, this time as caring friends. I miss you Jack and I hope that wherever you are that you are with your father, mother and brothers, Joe and Bob, sisters Mary Louise, and Barbara.

Love,

Timmie Reilly

Timmie Reilly

June 18, 2009

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 – Jack’s warm and lively family literally embraced me as a new member of their family. His mother became my mother. I came to recognize the intrinsic humanity and intelligence that pervaded the family’s DNA - a solid spiritual foundation Jack inherited. He was an artist who later became a great executive in the television industry – multi-talented as acknowledged from all who knew him in the profession - he was also truly loved by his peers. Our marriage continued for the next 27 years in which, we raised four children together, Deborah, Christopher, Linda and Stephanie. I am truly thankful that Jack and I were able to reconnect during the past few years thus affording us the time to recognize our better selves that came as a result of our transformational experiences, a family member in crises - the aging process - together, this time as caring friends. I miss you Jack and I hope that wherever you are that you are with your father, mother and brothers, Joe and Bob, sisters Mary Louise, and Barbara.

Love,
Timmie Reilly
[email protected]

Mr. David Lach

June 17, 2009

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 my Mother (Mary Lach)and an Uncle to my brother & Sisters, I always looked forward to seeing Uncle Jack when he visited Lowell.
Although I did not see him for years...I will certainly miss not having him around! Hope to see him someday with my Mother and the entire Reilly family.

Eileen Reilly

June 15, 2009

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!

Mary Kate Patten(O'Riordan)

June 15, 2009

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.

Linda Reilly-Boehm

June 14, 2009

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 always a fun and memorable summer with our many relatives.
My dad is in my heart forever and I miss him so much.

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