Michael James Reilly Sr.

Michael James Reilly Sr., age 81, of Grandview Heights, Ohio. Preceded in death by father Michael Edward Reilly and mother Louise Kuskowski Reilly. Survived by wife Corinne Dryer Reilly, daughter Theresa Reilly Krystofik (Rick Hetterscheidt), son Michael Reilly Jr. (Tami); grandchildren Michael Reilly III (Leah), Tyler Reilly, Natasha Krystofik Polly (Braden) and Nicole Krystofik (Gus Oberdick); great grandson Otto Blue Oberdick; sisters Patricia Simakis, Kathleen Dancey (William) and Maryann Kafer (Roger); nephews Brian Simakis, Jay Dryer (Krystee), Jed Dryer (Sondra); nieces Michelle Simakis (Mike Rotman) and Sarah Kafer Mill (Nick); brothers-in-law Joe Dryer (Sue) and Ed Dryer; special friends Jean-Marc, Nathalie & Emie Trochon of Maisons-Alfort, France; Ruben, Catalina, Juan Diego & Natalia Munoz, Luz Stella Munoz & Pily Tamara of Barranquilla, Colombia; Jeff, Cleo, Stacy & Tammy Gau, of Hsinchu City, Taiwan.

Mike had an early start in business delivering newspapers, cutting grass and shoveling snow near his childhood home in Columbus.

He graduated from Saint Charles of Borremeo Preparatory High School, The Ohio State University, the Food Marketing Institute Executive Program at Cornell University where he was a Nestle Scholar and the University of Southern California Purchasing Skills Program. A veteran of the United States Air Force, he served as a member of the Air Training Command in Rantoul, Illinois and the North American Air Defense Command in Keflavik, Iceland.

Mike was associated with Big Bear Stores Company for 30 years. His first job was bagging groceries. He was Vice-President and General Manager of the Harts Discount Store Division when he left the company in 1990. During his career at Big Bear Mike was a member of the Columbus Sales Executive Club, the Grandview Heights Community Improvement Council, credit and loan committees of the Big Bear Employees Credit Union and was on the Board of Directors for the International Mass Retailing Association.

Following his career at Big Bear, Mike joined Ferger & Associates as Vice-President of the non-foods division. Ferger & Associates was later acquired by Acosta Sales & Marketing. Mike retired from the consumer products industry in 2011.

Mike was previously a Cub Scout leader, a member of the Bobcat Boosters and Oakhurst Country Club. He has also served on the board of directors for Members First Credit Union and Pathways Financial Credit Union.

Current affiliations include the following: Buckeye Boosters, Buckeye Club, Rebounders Club, and The Ohio State University Alumni Association.

Family will receive friends at Celebration of Life on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Schoedinger Northwest, 1740 Zollinger Rd, Columbus, OH 43221. 1-2 pm Mike has invited everyone to sit back and relax with him as he listens to some of his favorite music one last time. 2-4 pm Visitation will follow the musical presentation.

Burial will be private at a later date.

Per Mike’s request anyone considering sending flowers might instead direct a donation to the St. Charles scholarship fund, Charity Newsies, or Honor Flight of Columbus.