Obituary for John Joseph Reilly
John Joseph Reilly, 76, of Irwin, PA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at UPMC East in Monroeville, PA. He was born in Blairsville, PA, the son of the late Dr. Francis St. Clair Reilly, Jr. and Mrs. Agnes Shields Reilly and the grandson of the late Dr. Francis St. Clair Reilly and Elizabeth M. Reilly. John is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Martha Medich Reilly; his brothers Dr. Richard L. (Patricia) Reilly of Coraopolis, PA and Dr. Thomas V. (Maureen) Reilly of Mooresville, NC; his sisters Mary (the late James) Nolan of Locust Grove, VA, and Elizabeth (Desmond) Flanigan of Locust Grove, VA; numerous nieces and nephews; great-nieces and nephews; and great great-nephews. Also, he was preceded in death by his brother Francis St. Clair, III of Washington D.C. and by his nephew Robert M. Reilly of Blairsville, PA. The family would like extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. R.L. Reilly Jr. and Colleen R. Costa RN BSN for the compassionate care of their uncle.
John graduated from Blairsville High School in 1964, where he excelled in basketball. He was awarded MVP for Indiana County in 1964 and received a basketball scholarship to St. Vincent College. He earned a bachelor’s of science degree in chemistry from the spirited 1968 class of St. Vincent College, Latrobe, PA and a master’s degree in organic chemistry from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA. He retired as Manager for Environmental Control and Boiler House Operations at AK Steel, Butler, PA. His career spanned thirty years at various companies working in diverse environmental, process, and safety experience in plant operations, staff management, and regulatory affairs.
John was a kindhearted gentleman, inquisitive intellectual and avid sports enthusiast. He is affectionately remembered by family and friends for recounting his vast wealth of sports trivia and American history. He expressed his dedication to his faith and alma mater in quiet, but vital ways such as serving on the Gorka Scholarship Committee and the Alumni Council at St. Vincent as well as serving on the St. Agnes Parish Council in Irwin, PA.
Family and friends will be received Sunday, December 18th from 2:00-6:00 PM at the Ott Funeral Home Inc., 805 Pennsylvania Ave. in Irwin. Parting prayers will begin at the Ott Funeral Home on Monday, December 19th at 9:00 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Vincent Basilica in Latrobe, PA at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Vincent College Class of 1968, Fr. Ronald Gorka Scholarship, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe PA 15650. To send online condolences please visit www.ottfuneralhome.com
John graduated from Blairsville High School in 1964, where he excelled in basketball. He was awarded MVP for Indiana County in 1964 and received a basketball scholarship to St. Vincent College. He earned a bachelor’s of science degree in chemistry from the spirited 1968 class of St. Vincent College, Latrobe, PA and a master’s degree in organic chemistry from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA. He retired as Manager for Environmental Control and Boiler House Operations at AK Steel, Butler, PA. His career spanned thirty years at various companies working in diverse environmental, process, and safety experience in plant operations, staff management, and regulatory affairs.
John was a kindhearted gentleman, inquisitive intellectual and avid sports enthusiast. He is affectionately remembered by family and friends for recounting his vast wealth of sports trivia and American history. He expressed his dedication to his faith and alma mater in quiet, but vital ways such as serving on the Gorka Scholarship Committee and the Alumni Council at St. Vincent as well as serving on the St. Agnes Parish Council in Irwin, PA.
Family and friends will be received Sunday, December 18th from 2:00-6:00 PM at the Ott Funeral Home Inc., 805 Pennsylvania Ave. in Irwin. Parting prayers will begin at the Ott Funeral Home on Monday, December 19th at 9:00 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Vincent Basilica in Latrobe, PA at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Vincent College Class of 1968, Fr. Ronald Gorka Scholarship, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe PA 15650. To send online condolences please visit www.ottfuneralhome.com