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BORN
1944
DIED
2022
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Denis Reilly Obituary
August 15, 1944 - July 19, 2022
Members of the Western Dominican Province and their friends were deeply saddened by the death of Fr. Denis Reilly on July 19. Fr. Denis (Daniel Harry) was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on August 15, 1944, to Daniel and Zella DeVillier Reilly. The Reilly family came to California shortly after Denis' birth, and he spent his childhood in Pleasant Hill. He graduated from St. Elizabeth High School, in Oakland, and studied two years at Saint Mary's College before entering the Dominican novitiate in 1964.
Candidates for the novitiate are required to reply to a series of questions, and one asks, "Why do you wish to be a religious?" Denis answered, "Considering my capabilities, I feel that I will be a better priest as a religious; therefore, I will be able to serve God better." Few would question Fr. Denis' service of God, and those privileged to live with Denis will laud his determination to care for the well-being of his community members. The Dominican campus ministry chapel in Salt Lake City is a tribute to this dedication, and St. Albert Priory, the Dominican House of Studies in Oakland, California, underwent significant improvements when he served (twice) as the community's Prior.
He was elected to the Council of the Province a number of times, and fulfilled his duties with immense patience and good will.
As age took its toll, and Fr. Denis grew weaker, he embraced a quieter and more reflective life – with the Dominican community in Los Angeles, and then at Merrill Gardens in Oakland. Even in retirement, however, Fr. Denis maintained contact with those who had shared his years of active ministry.
Western Dominicans gathered for a Province Assembly at St. Albert's Priory, Oakland, toward the end of June, and Fr. Denis was an active participant in the days' activities until he suffered a fall and was hospitalized. The lingering effects of pneumonia and various weaknesses proved too powerful to overcome.
The Dominican friars and Fr. Denis' friends will gather for a Prayer Vigil at St. Albert Priory, Oakland, on Tuesday, July 26, at 7:30 p.m., followed by a Funeral Mass on July 27, at 10:30 a.m. Fr. Denis will be buried at St. Dominic cemetery in Benicia.
A memorial scholarship fund has been established to honor Fr. Denis. Gifts will be used to support the education of the Dominican students Fr. Denis served so faithfully. Gifts may be sent to the Western Dominican Province, 5877 Birch Court, Oakland, California, 94618.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Denis Reilly
Sponsored by Passalacqua Funeral Chapel.
Tim Joganich
January 31, 2023
Fr. Denis has continually blessed my life since I met him in the early morning hours in October 1986 at the hospital in Tempe AZ after my 17-year-old brother suddenly passed away from a cardiac event. Initially, Fr. Denis provided our family with words of God´s loving comfort during that time including at the funeral. During the next year, he helped my wife and I prepare for our marriage and eventually presided over it at the Newman Center on the campus of Arizona State University. Several years later, Fr. Denis baptized our first son also at the Newman Center.
Fr. Denis´s homilies along with his unique charm will always be remembered. My wife and I kept in touch with him over the years with phone calls, letters, emails, and personal visits in CA, Salt Lake and PA. We were unfortunately unable to make Fr. Denis´s 50th anniversary celebration as a priest, which I understood from him was a wonderful and blessed time. There are people that God puts into your life that help you along in your faith journey and Fr. Denis was such a person for my wife and and I for which we will be enterally thankful
Tim Joganich
Frankie Saitz
September 13, 2022
Father Dennis was a priest unlike the rest. He had a significant impact on how I grew in my faith and positively viewed the Catholic church and where it was heading. His sense of humor was unparalleled in any human I have encountered and appreciated his ability to be himself. He was a spiritual guide, a respectable man, and someone I feel lucky to have known.
Sister Beatrice laFramboise SP
August 26, 2022
Fr. Denis was at University of Washington in Seattle, WA. I assisted with the catechetical program for young children. Fr.Denis was very encouraging and supportive . He was a wonderful mentor and spiritual guide. May he Rest In Peace,
Mick Collins
July 31, 2022
Father Denis had a big positive impact on my life. I love him and pray for his soul. He endeavored zealously to sustain the Dominican motto Veritas.
Passalacqua Funeral Chapel
July 22, 2022
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
Mary Ellen Attanucci
July 27, 2022
We met Father Denis Reilly in 1986 when my husband, Frank, attended the ASU Newman Center for daily mass while in graduate school. Fr. Denis had an amazing impact on our family for over thirty years. Fr. Denis especially encouraged Frank as a spiritual father to him when Frank's own father passed away.
Last year we drove from Phoenix to Salt Lake City for Fr. Denis's 50th anniversary celebration as a priest. We found that many people from across the country came to share stories and laughter with him. The mass was beautiful and even those that sang had been parts of choir ensembles over the years. After dinner, many had a chance to share memories. It was a combination of a holy "roast" of funny stories with Fr. Denis poking fun right back at the one speaking. His dry sense of humor kept everyone laughing. Inevitably, though, those friends would, often through tears, share from their hearts the ways in which Fr. Denis had deepened their faith and brought God back into their lives.
It wasn't just a one-time talk with Fr. Denis. It was a lifetime of phone calls to check on you and to ask about those he promised to keep in his prayers. There were visits back to friends in Ashland or Salt Lake or Phoenix and many other places just to have dinner and good conversation. He was a great friend and an amazing priest. The last couple of times we visited him in CA, he shared that he was very pleased with the new class of upcoming priests. So, to the newest Dominican priests, I am sure Fr. Denis will be praying for you as you begin to serve our Lord.
For all of us, if we take time for prayer and reflection, for family, for friends, for laughter and for finding God in each moment of the day, then we can honor the life so well lived by our friend, Fr. Denis, and the God he loved and served.
Mary Ellen Attanucci
July 27, 2022
We met Father Denis Reilly in 1986 when my husband, Frank, attended the ASU Newman Center for daily mass while in graduate school. Fr. Denis had an amazing impact on our family for over thirty years. Fr. Denis especially encouraged Frank as a spiritual father to him when Frank's own father passed away.
Last year we drove from Phoenix to Salt Lake City for Fr. Denis's 50th anniversary celebration as a priest. We found that many people from across the country came to share stories and laughter with him. The mass was beautiful and even those that sang had been parts of choir ensembles over the years. After dinner, many had a chance to share memories. It was a combination of a holy "roast" of funny stories with Fr. Denis poking fun right back at the one speaking. His dry sense of humor kept everyone laughing. Inevitably, though, those friends would, often through tears, share from their hearts the ways in which Fr. Denis had deepened their faith and brought God back into their lives.
It wasn't just a one-time talk with Fr. Denis. It was a lifetime of phone calls to check on you and to ask about those he promised to keep in his prayers. There were visits back to friends in Ashland or Salt Lake or Phoenix and many other places just to have dinner and good conversation. He was a great friend and an amazing priest. The last couple of times we visited him in CA, he shared that he was very pleased with the new class of upcoming priests. So, to the newest Dominican priests, I am sure Fr. Denis will be praying for you as you begin to serve our Lord.
For all of us, if we take time for prayer and reflection, for family, for friends, for laughter and for finding God in each moment of the day, then we can honor the life so well lived by our friend, Fr. Denis, and the God he loved and served.
Jane Glaser Gormally
July 26, 2022
I was very sorry and quite shocked to hear of Fr. Denis' passing. He was my Confessor and his gifts were a blessing in my life. Peace be with all of you as you go through the celebration of his life and Mass of Resurrection. I am sad I can not attend in person to honor him.
Arthur Connole
July 25, 2022
He will be long remembered for his steadfast service to his Church, friends and the community.
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