Obituary of Brian James Reilly

Brian James Reilly
 

Brian Reilly passed away on February 25,2023 at the Hospice Care Center in Fort Collins, Colorado. A private celebration of life will be held at a later date. He was born on February 28,1974 to Cecil Paul Reilly and Esther (O’Conner) Reilly at Northwest Community hospital in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He graduated from John Hersey High School in1993 in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He lived most of his life in Mount Prospect and Arlington Heights, Illinois. Brian worked at the United States Postal Service for 27 years. Brian retired from USPS in May 2020 and moved to Colorado in June of that year to be closer to family.

Family was always very important to Brian and many of his friends became family to him. Brian had an infectious personality, a unique sense of humor, and a zest for life. He loved living life to the fullest and doing what he wanted to do. Brian found soleus in going to “Church” at Eddie’s with many friends. He was a staple in the establishment and will be memorialize with a photo and plaque later this month.

Moving to Colorado was a hard decision for Brian, but he wanted to be closer to his family and watch his great nieces and nephews grow. He was fondly known to them as “The Good Guy” because he took great pride in being the cool uncle, who you could turn to with anything. Brian also loved taking his family bowling and gaming  in his spare time. While in Colorado, nights were spent on the patio, listening to music, playing cards and cherishing family and friends who brought him joy.

He was an avid and diehard Chicago Bears and Blackhawks fan and passionate about music. Pearl Jam’s music spoke to him and he was able to enjoy seeing them in concert many times and he enjoyed listening to classical music in the morning. Brian was rarely seen without a Chicago Bears hat on and made sure whenever he was flying to Colorado he was head-to-toe in Bears apparel. Chicago Bears football games were always a cause for celebration and a not-so-legal bonfire at the “Compound.” Brian enjoyed bowling, playing video games, and watching his sports teams. He loved cooking and finding new places to eat. Brian’s favorite restaurants in Colorado were Cracker Barrel and Hooters.  Brian made sure to always celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day, showing true Irish Pride.

Brian had a unique sense of humor and if he took the time to poke fun at you, with you, you knew he loved you. He was rarely seen without a smile on his face and he always made sure the people around him had the same smile. Brian will not only live on in our hearts but in our laughter, smile, and stories.

He is survived by his brother Paul Reilly (Liz), his nieces Colleen Reilly Pike (Josh), Laura Reilly-Richardson (Haven) and Amy Stapleton, his great nieces and nephews Adrianna Pike, Jayden Pike, Keigan Leal, Ryker Pike, Carter Richardson, Laila Hammons and Rogan Reilly-Richardson, his Aunt Pauline O’Conner and many cousins. He is preceded in death by his father Cecil Paul Reilly, his mother Esther (O’Conner) Reilly, his sister Jeannette Marie (Reilly) Stapleton and his great nephew Asa Paul Overturf.

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