Terrance Wayne Reilly

Terry recently joined the Knights on Bikes, a motorcycle group consisting of Knights of Columbus members. He was happy to meet fellow Catholics who were bikers, proud to wear his leather vest with newly sewn-on patches, and looked forward to this first long-distanced ride with the Knights.

Terry was born September 2, 1942 in Pekin, Illinois, to Terrance C. Reilly and Beulah Conlee. His mother, though crippled with rheumatoid arthritis, managed to raise Terry and his older brother, Owen, who died in 1993. Terry was a loving, devoted son who drove to Pekin many weekends to care for his mother until she died in 1967 at the age of 61. In fact, on their third date, he drove Jean (wearing her winter formal) to Pekin to meet his mother.

After graduating Pekin High School in 1961, Terry attended the University of Illinois. He left U. of I. after one year to move to Chicago where he worked for Continental Can Co. and attended night school at Northwestern University’s downtown campus. In 1966,Terry met Jean on a blind date at the U. of I., set up by his close friend and future best man, Jerry Bean. Terry and Jean wed in January 1968, and were blessed with 54 years of marriage.

Terry was a kindhearted man who had a hidden adventurous streak. After he graduated from Northwestern University in the spring of 1969, he stunned Jean with the idea of buying a Volkswagen bug from the VW plant in Wolfsburg, Germany, and driving it all over Europe. Fortunately, Jean was able to take a leave of absence from work, and they spent 10 weeks experiencing a Once-in-a-Lifetime Adventure. They stayed in youth hostels, celebrated her birthday on the French Riviera, watched the landing on the moon while in Switzerland, explored the salt mines in Salzburg, nervously passed Checkpoint Charlie into East Germany, were awed by the ancient ruins in Athens and Corinth, and much more. They ended an Unforgettable Adventure by shipping their little blue bug home from Bremerhaven before finishing their travels in England.

After they returned, Terry was hired by Northwestern to work in the accounting department. He enrolled in the Masters program night school at Northwestern, graduating in the spring of 1972, with a Masters degree in Business Administration. Upon graduation, he was offered a job with Southern California First National Bank (currently Union Bank), in San Diego. Always looking for ways to earn money, Terry also began teaching business courses part time at the local junior college, where he taught for almost 40 years. Terry was eventually promoted to Branch Manager and Vice President at the bank before retiring in 1997 after 25 years. He was ready to pursue other adventures.

He became a flight attendant for Continental Airlines (not something Jean was happy about at first), an accountant for an investment company requiring travel to Houston twice a month, until he eventually let go of travel to work in the office at Sycuan Casino. After a few years though, Terry had the urge again to broaden his horizons. He enrolled in trucking school to learn how to drive a big rig. (At this point, Jean gave up and just rolled her eyes at this decision.) He made deliveries around the country for a couple years, living in the rig, until finally he ‘officially retired’ the spring of 2020.

In 2015, Terry fantasied, concocted, then eventually proposed a trip to ride his Harley Ultra all the way to Lake Louise in Canada. Surprisingly, Jean agreed to ride along (thinking she could always find a bus or train back to El Cajon at any time). Their Grand Motorcycle Adventure (a.k.a. G.M.A.) was an exhilarating, never-to-be-forgotten Experience! Jean was hooked.

They continued to take occasional short rides, until Terry felt the need to travel back to Illinois in June of 2021, to visit a long-time friend who had recently lost his wife. Plans were made for their 2nd G.M.A., which included traveling along Route 66. Terry rode to Illinois alone, visiting family (cousins, niece, nephew, sister-in-law) and friends along the way. They met up at O’Hare and headed off around Lake Michigan first, following a route found in the HOG magazine. They officially began their Route 66 trip in Chicago, riding on 66 as much as possible back to California. One of the unforeseen highlights was Jean meeting up with four of her cousins at various spots along the way – an extra treasured memory for her. Riding Route 66 on a motorcycle finally fulfilled Jean’s Bucket List. Ever-thoughtful Terry made it happen.

Throughout his life, Terry humbly volunteered his time, such as helping the scout troop of a good friend’s son, serving Thanksgiving meals sponsored by the bank, being a member of El Cajon Rotary Club, serving as Grand Knight of OLG’s Knights of Columbus and as a Director on El Cajon City Council, and perhaps, the most rewarding for him in his later years was being a Senior Volunteer for the California Highway Patrol. He was always proud to wear his uniform, badge, and hat. He expressed feeling like he was finally making a difference. Little did he realize that he had been making a difference his whole life.

He was a faithful member of Our Lady of Grace Church. It was at OLG that Terry became good friends with Fr. Joe (the hustler) Carroll, who was tasked with establishing a place for the homeless in San Diego. Fr. Joe asked Terry to serve as treasurer on the St. Vincent de Paul Board. Terry also was placed in charge of the Grand Opening of St. Vincent de Paul. Terry was quoted in The Daily Californian paper as saying: “I always thought in the back of my mind that I was going to give back what I received (referring to a Thanksgiving basket his family was given when he was a child). That’s always been the motivation of what I do.”

Terry was a loving, caring man, devoted to his wife, Jean, and their four children: Emily, Mark (Sara), Paul, and Kelsey (Jake). Over the years, he was glad to be able to visit with his niece, Chanttel Brady in Colorado, and nephew, Allan Reilly in Illinois. He was over-the-moon happy when Jean finally delivered a healthy baby, and was beyond thrilled when his family grew by three more children. He took delight in making his children happy, planning camping trips, historical destinations while a flight attendant, being involved with his children’s activities whenever possible. He adored his grandchildren: Hannah, Abigail, Joey, Caleb, Emma, and Leon. He enjoyed experiencing adventures with them, like doing flips on hotel beds (well, not an adventure – just fun!); riding the train to the Grand Canyon; visiting local spots like the beach, park, overnight at Santee Lakes, Sea World; putting out fires at Legoland; exploring the Gold Rush country in CA, and more.

Terry Loved Life.

Yes, he leaves an emptiness in our hearts, but he also leaves behind an abundance of forever memories and a legacy that makes his family proud.

“May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields.”

(well, except when you’re riding a motorcycle)

A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in El Cajon on June 30th at 11AM, with a reception and eulogy following in the Parish Hall. Inurnment will be the same day, 3PM at Glen Abbey.