John C. O'Reilly

John Charles O’Reilly, 89, of West Chester, PA, passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. 

John was born on January 9, 1935, in Philadelphia, PA, the son of the late Hubert Timothy and Mary Anne (nee Lyons) O’Reilly. John’s love for his family and selfless caring for those around him shone through every moment of his life. 

Coming from humble beginnings, John never tired of telling stories about his years growing up on Hobart Street. While the family did not have much, he always said how blessed he was to grow up in a home filled with the love of a large, close-knit family. A bright student at St. Rose of Lima, St. Thomas More, and St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, John learned resilience at an early age. In many ways, his life was shaped by the loss of his mother when he was seven years old and then his father during high school. He was a profoundly spiritual man who, grounded in his deep faith, understood the importance of living in the moment, the significance of bringing joy to others, and the power of gratitude. 

John served in the US Army and then worked at the Philadelphia Dry Yeast Company. With his strong work ethic and gentle demeanor, he rose from the warehouse floor to be a beloved leader and friend to those who worked for him. He later joined his brothers in the plastics business, putting his gift of connecting with others to good use in sales. Always the entrepreneur, he went on to build two successful emergency response businesses where he never tired of meeting those in the older generation and listening to their stories and life lessons. John was a smart and effective businessman, but it was his incredible ability to connect with others that was the hallmark of his life, and his business success was truly a result of his love for interacting with people. He used to say that “he never met a stranger.” 

Family was the center of John’s world. He literally married the girl next door, Angela, in 1960. Being a father to his two daughters was the joy of his life. As a dad, he was the perfect blend of patience, high standards, and tough expectations while being incredibly encouraging, present, and deeply engaged. He was the head of the PTA, the one who painted (and repainted) the stage floor for innumerable dance recitals, always played in the father-daughter tennis tournaments, stayed up late to help with school projects, sat through decades of piano competitions, and was the first one on the dance floor with his girls whenever there was music playing. His imagination and creativity led to endless fun – whether building snow forts and giant leaf piles, playing imaginative games, crafting exciting stories of adventure, or making those adventures come true in family travels. John was always there for his daughters, and he thrived in the happiness he found when with them. John’s love of family extended to being an adoring and ever-present PopPop to his grandchildren and great-granddaughter. They lit up his life--as he did theirs. 

Anyone who knew John would say that he never sat still. When not focusing on his family or his businesses, he enjoyed playing tennis -- although golf was his favorite. Despite losing his eyesight later in life to macular degeneration, he never let any obstacle stand in his way from being active and maintaining a wonderful outlook. He loved to travel with family and friends, volunteer in his community and church, and would take on home projects for anyone who asked. He was an avid gardener, tinkered with old cars, and could be seen driving his golf cart visiting neighbors and friends in his later years. John loved to write children’s stories, develop unique inventions, build homemade toys with his grandchildren, make up funny jokes, and act in plays and musicals -- bringing laughter and light to every audience he entertained. 

Most of all, John loved to dance. He used to say that music went “in his ears and came out his feet.” His joy and his love of life were infectious to young and old. No one could resist John’s smile -- or smiling when his name was mentioned. And all who witnessed him dancing through his almost nine wonderful decades of life are still tapping their toes and happier because of him.

John is survived by his two daughters, Angela M. O’Reilly Fow (the late Fred) and Kathleen T. O’Reilly Kick (Mitch) and his former spouse, Angela M. (nee Lasprogata) O’Reilly. He was the adoring grandfather of Katherine Fow, Christina Fow, Olivia Brown (Kolby), Nicholas Kick, Colin Kick, and Brandon Kick and proud great-grandfather of Sophia Fow. John is also survived by his loving brother Charles O’Reilly and numerous nieces, nephews, and in-laws. He was predeceased by five of his siblings: Hubert O’Reilly, Terry O’Reilly Mellon, Larry O’Reilly, Brian O’Reilly, and Frances O’Reilly Wankmuller. 

Relatives and friends are invited to John’s visitation on Saturday, August 3, 2024, from 9:30-10:45 am at Saints Peter and Paul Church at 1325 Boot Road, West Chester PA 19380. Visitation will be followed by his Funeral Mass at 11 o’clock. Interment will be private. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to either St. Rose of Lima School, 1522 N. Wanamaker Street, Philadelphia, PA 19131 (https://imsrose.org ) or the Little Sisters of the Poor, Holy Family Home Donations, 5300 Chester Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143 (https://littlesistersofthepoorphiladelphia.org/donations/ )