Eric William O'Reilly

Eric William O'Reilly, a long time resident of Redondo Beach, CA passed away on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 in Los Angeles, CA. Eric was born in McKeesport, PA on September 3rd, 1954 and has resided in the Los Angeles area for the last 48 years.

Eric was an insurance broker for over twenty years. His specialty was commercial insurance, although he loved all aspects of his job, particularly the research to find the right product for his valued clients'.

Eric flew a private small aircraft, loved to play with his remote control helicopters (the big ones), he tinkered with everything and was a master at fixing everything. Eric could pack the trunk of a car like you couldn't imagine. Everything he touched was made better. We had a special place in the house for us to put all the things we broke and when we woke up in the morning they were all fixed. He loved to fix things that most people would just throw away, like his ancient turn table and the stereo equipment he has had for 40 years. Anyone else would have upgraded but not Eric, he saw true value in everything. He rode his motorcycle whenever he could. He loved telling jokes. He developed his own salsa recipe, he makes one mean salsa that is so good it made anything taste better. Skiing at mammoth mountains was his favorite thing, he didn't do it enough though.

Eric did not officially belong to any philanthropic organizations, but he gave everything he had to anyone who asked every single time- friends, neighbors, colleagues and strangers benefitted from his constant pursuit to make the world a better place for anyone who contact with him.

Eric was passionate about teaching his boys to be good men and his girls to learn how to use their brains and to take care of things themselves. He was passionate about his family most of all, and his home was his sanctuary. He had a funny passion for his big lazy boy rocker; it meant the world to him, something so simple. That was Eric: a simple man who enjoyed a simple life, never asked anyone for anything and gave everyone a smile. Always made himself available to help a friend. He enjoys sharing his stories. Many people came to him for help, advice, and guidance.

He also enjoyed watching and following many sports and entertainers such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, Blue Angels squad, Thunderbirds squad, Credence Clearwater Revival, Poison, Kansas, Bon Jovi, The Who, John Fogerty and The Eagles, Tom Clancey and Dean Koonz.

Eric is survived by his wife Marianne; his two sons, Loren, 26, and Lance, 23; his two daughters Casey, 18, and Katie, 16; his father and mother Bruce and Jacqueline O'Reilly, his two brothers Bruce and Christopher and one sister Stephanie Swain; along with several nieces and nephews. His first grandson will arrive in April.

A Visitation will be held at Rice Mortuary 5310 Torrance Blvd Torrance, CA 90503 (310) 792-7599 Thursday, Feb 4th from 12 pm to 4 pm followed by a pot luck wake.