John James O'Reilly

John O'Reilly passed away on July 18, 2026, at the age of 87. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend whose life was defined by service, hard work, and dedication to his family.

John was born on October 29, 1938, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Francis and Mary (Ferris) O'Reilly. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Mary Frances Crane and Kathleen Miller.

John graduated from La Salle University in 1960 with a degree in Industrial Management. After graduation, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through the Army ROTC. He served during the Cuban Missile Crisis and was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland; and Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey. He completed his military service in 1963 as a First Lieutenant and continued his career at Picatinny Arsenal as a civilian. He worked first as a quality control specialist and later as a resources analyst, earning the respect of his colleagues through his skill and dedication.

Family was the center of John's life. On December 28, 1973, he married Mary Sue Gordon at the convent chapel of St. Agnes RC Parish in Phoenix, Arizona. They shared 52 years of marriage, building a life together filled with love, laughter, and support.

John is survived by his wife, Mary Sue; his sons, John O'Reilly (Maria) of Blaine, Minnesota, and Dr. Brian O'Reilly (Melissa) of Gig Harbor, Washington; and his grandchildren, Adam, Ella, Chloe, Luke, Owen, and Kaitlyn O'Reilly. He is also survived by his nephews and niece: Jim and John Crane; Robert, Michael, and Tom Miller; Tommy Gordon; and Paige Gordon.

John enjoyed working around the house and could fix just about anything. He appreciated tackling projects with his neighbors, Mr. Ivey in New Jersey and Danny in Virginia, and took great pride in maintaining the family's beach house on North Carolina's Outer Banks. He was an avid sports fan who especially enjoyed NFL football, March Madness, and the U.S. Women's Olympic Soccer Team.

John was a member of the American Legion in Colonial Heights, Virginia, where he made many good friends and enjoyed being part of the community.

John will be remembered for his humor, strength, and devotion to his family, friends, and country. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.