Patrick J. Reilly

1936 - 2021

Patrick J. Reilly, of Akron, Ohio, died on February 7, 2021, at the age of 84. An exemplar of "joie de vivre," he loved life and all that is beautiful in music, art, food, wine, travel, adventure, literature, science, nature and gardening, athleticism and grace, and people. Above all, he loved his family, with a steadfast, lifelong devotion that was deeply felt and will be greatly missed. The eldest of six children, he was born in New York City on May 1, 1936, to Joseph R. Reilly and Harriette (Wawrzonkiewicz) Reilly. He attended St. Mary's in Flushing, Queens, and Power Memorial Academy in Manhattan. In 1958 he completed his bachelor's degree at MIT, married Katherine A. Hudak, and moved to Ireland where he earned a doctorate in chemistry at Trinity College Dublin. He did post-doctoral work at Leeds University before returning to the U.S. in 1963 to take a position as a chemist at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in Akron. For his work in rubber compounds and polymers, he was awarded several U.S. patents. He earned an MBA from the University of Akron. He was an Eagle Scout, a long-time member and Commodore of Turkeyfoot Lake's South Shore Yacht Club, and captain of many sailing excursions to the Bahamas. He could often be found in the first row at the Akron Symphony Orchestra and was a member of the Tuesday Musical Association. After he retired from Goodyear in 2001, he extended his curiosity and love of learning by enrolling in more than 60 courses at the University of Akron through its Sixty-Plus Program. He is predeceased by his beloved wife, Katherine (1936-2015), and sister, Irene (1938-1970). He is survived by his daughter, Siobhan, and sons, Nicholas and Ian; his dear friend and companion, Barbara (Bobbie) Eaton; his grandchildren, Sorcha, Padraic, Sebastian, Niamh, and Malachy; his siblings Catherine, Harriet, Nancy, Joseph, and their spouses; 13 nieces and nephews; and a host of cousins and great-nieces and nephews. A celebration of his life will be scheduled when friends and family may safely attend. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Akron Symphony Orchestra or in support of musical performance and education.