God bless you, ill bet the fireworks are a lot nicer in heaven. Mike H.

To John's Family,

I remember John raiding the icebox at 5 Crestwood with my brother, Tom - when they were in grade school and in high school.  I recall a particular love for graham crackers (by the boxes) and milk (by the quarts). When John learned that I was sick, he arranged to come with Tom for a visit. That visit was such a gift...humor, stories, lots of memories.

The video of John dancing and celebrating at Tom and Sam's reception brought a big smile to my face.

Thank you for sharing John with so many people.  

With love and sorrow,  Annie Erker

P.S. That photo of John...is SO John.

Dear Cathy, Janey, and David,
Words cannot adequately express how sorry we are to learn that your beloved John has passed away. We pray that you find comfort and strength in the lovely memories you share and peace in the days ahead.

My deepest heartfelt condolences.  I will keep you all in my prayers.  God bless you all during this time of sorrow.

Brothers hold a special place in our hearts, now & forever. May your sweet memories give you strength.

Dear Cathy, Janey, David and family, I'm so sorry that you've lost your husband, father and friend. I'm also sorry I wasn't able to join Joe and Helen to be there with you as you mourn your beloved, but please know that my thoughts and heartfelt prayers are with you all. We will offer a Mass for John at our parish as soon as possible. May God bless you and send his angels to comfort you at this sad time.

 Cathy, I am so sorry  to learn of the death of your husband, John, way too soon.  I only met John briefly,  sometime ago. But I certainly enjoyed his personality.  I pray you find peace and hope in one another   and your memories.

Yes, all the "old timers" are sadly passing (I see so well I spelt my name wrong earlier). An anecdote: Dr. Greany would send me polaroids of his and John's fireworks when apparently they went out of the city to shoot them, that was more than forty five years ago, and I could already tell John had quite a skill and talent. We saw each other sometimes at the PGI convention, and would compare notes.

Dear Cathy, Janey, David, Marjie, Jimmy, Mary and Mike,
We are so sorry, and you have our deepest sympathy.  Johnny was a warm and generous man, and we are blessed to have had him in our lives. Like so many, a favorite memory is joining you for fireworks and watching Johnny - proudly and happily aided by David - mischievously  setting off some probably too-big-for-Waterman blasts.  You are all in our thoughts at this difficult and sad time.

Shocked and surprised to hear the news through the firework grapevine.... first knew of John when a St. Louis MD was mentoring us in things pyrotechnic in the late 1960s... Lost touch in later years but he was always throwing out ideas on the online pyro fora. My condolences for your loss.

Treasure those wonderful memories of Johnny!  There are many. Our deepest sympathies are with you at this time.
Culbertsons

Cathy,

I wish to extend my deepest sympathy for you and your family.  John was one great guy who gave me a break when I was in need of a job. He hired me to work with him and the crazy crew at Paco Bldg.Supply back in 1987. Lots of good memories there for the 5 plus years I worked with him. I loved his sense of humor and his kindness. He always gave me a great deal on fireworks every 4th of July. I thought of him frequently over the years. He was the best boss I ever worked for.  I am so sorry for his passing. God Bless.

My deepest condolences on your loss! May He Rest In Peace!! 
When one we love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure!!!

John was 1 of a kind,and will be sorely missed!

John  was scoutmaster of troop 102 and I know the only troop that ever went on a camp out and had a vp fair style fire works display of there very own. The near by  dairy cows did not produce much milk the next day. I miss my friend very much.

Cathy, We are so very sorry for your, Janey and David's loss of John.  He was such a gentle, nice person, and was so kind to Jamie as well.  
Our hearts go out to you.

Dear Cathy, Janey & David, 
 My deepest sympathy to you and yours.
    John was such a great spirit; such a great loss. I was blessed to know him for '50' years since we first met as freshmen at Prep South Seminary & fortunate to call him my friend. I always admired John with his dry sense of humor and that sinister chuckle and laugh. He was always so gracious and generous with his time. He even helped teach me how to frame out a room in the first house I bought. We traded construction favors and contacts through the years. You & Cathy always had great parties and get-togethers. The dress-up theme party at Coral Courts years ago was a blast. You two thought enough of me, when the kids were very young, to entrust your beloved dog 'Homer' to my keeping when he proved to be a little too aggressive with them. He was a wonderful companion to me for a number of years.... Many, many more wonderful memories and thoughts; the fireworks, your guitar music, the way you casually put the cat in the freezer compartment (when you lived in Shrewsbury)while carrying on a conversation without missing a beat. 
    Thank you John for your enduring friendship, your humor, your loyalty and all your help. I look forward to sharing your bright aura and energy when next we meet. 
     I love you John like a brother. I'll miss your presence and humor. 
     Lay down your burden now and ascend to your much deserved reward and suffer this world no more. Rest well my friend. 

Dr. Joseph D. Mantia

In loving memory of a very special person. You will live in our hearts forever.  I am so lucky to have known you for almost forty years.  From your marriage to Cathy..the birth of your children...and making me a part of your family. Love and true friendship know  no miles. To Cathy, Janey, David and your brothers and sisters.. to Margie who made me feel so welcome in her home. To your cousin Barb who became one of the dearest friends ever..thank you dear friend .. rest well.

Cathy, Janey, David, Jimmy, Margie, Mary and Mike....You know you are in my prayers and in my heart.  Our Johnny will be  greatly missed.  He will never be replaced and never be forgotten.  I will always have a special place in my heart for my dear Johnny Reb.  R.I.P Johnny, till we meet again.

The Babster

Heartfelt condolences to you Cathy and to Janey and David.  Treasure the years and the memories of togetherness.  May God grant you peace.

Cathy, Jim, Marjorie and Mary, You are in my thoughts and prayers. So, so sorry for your loss. Will never forget many happy times with John, especially as we concocted obnoxious compounds with our chemistry sets in our basements, or raided ash pits up and down the Pershing-Waterman alley, or--imagine--set off a few M-80s at scout camp... God bless.

We love you John!!  Thanks for all the joy and fun you have given us all throughout the decades.  Thanks for the guitar music.  Thanks for the outrageous fireworks! Thanks for your generous spirit!!  Thanks for being the most loyal of friends!!!   Thank You God for letting us delight in your humor and good company for years and years!   We hate to see you go so soon -  too soon.   Your job now is to make up for leaving so soon by taking good care of us from Heaven: this means Cathy, Janey, David and all of us underlings.  And make sure that when we get to Heaven with you there will be plenty of BBQ, Rock-n-roll and fireworks!!!   We love you, my man!!!!!   Remember us!     Oh, and thanks for having a heart of GOLD!   Tom and Sam Erker

My sincere condolences.  John was a "long-distance" friend to me.  We never met in person, but I've had many interactions with him over the years concerning fireworks, and he was always willing to help everyone.

We'll miss him.

Lloyd Sponenburgh (FPAG, PGI)

Cathy, David, Janey and Margie, Our hearts go out to you and your family at this very sad time. John brought smiles to so many faces, and always had a warm greeting for everyone. It's hard to imagine the world without his gentle soul and unique humor. We're thinking of you with the deepest of sympathy. Nancy and Joe

John was a member of the Board of Directors of Construction Industries Credit Bureau, and I am the Executive Director.  I truly enjoyed working with John.  He always had a smile on his face and never failed to make me laugh, sometimes at nothing.  I will always remember John as not only a business associate but a very funny, kind and gentle man.  My thoughts are with the Reilly family.

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.  May your memories bring you comfort.

Cathy, Thinking of you and your family at this difficult time.

Dear Cathy, Janey and David; Words cannot fully express how sorry I am for your loss. It seems almost incredulous that someone so kind and so warm and humorous could be taken from our midst. In all my years of knowing him, he was always respectful and I never heard him make a disparaging comment about another. I remember John's great hospitality when I visited you and his lovely guitar serenade many years ago at a gathering in your home. Through the support of your family and many friends, may you find comfort and strength. My heart goes out to you in your time of sorrow.

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, 
Love leaves a memory no one can steal."
From an Irish headstone

Dear Cathy, Janey and David,  My whole family is praying for your peace.  Cara was shocked when I called her, and I kept roaming around all day, trying to recall what I had intended to do today.  John and I got to now one another really well at the Schnucks store on Ladue Road.  I believe that he visited that store at least as often as I did; that store is like Cheers to me.  He and I laughed over everything and nothing at all.  In fact, I never saw John without a smile.  What a great, gentle friend he was.  Sid Reedy.

Dear Cathy, Janey and David, 
You are all in my thoughts and prayers. What a wonderful photograph of John. I have so many warm and wonderful memories of your sweet, witty, gentle, generous and entertaining husband and dad. I can still hear him singing "Old Man River," and hear the laughter he caused, while he softly chuckled. Rest in peace John Reilly. With deep and heartfelt sympathy for your loss.

OBITUARY

John Gerard Reilly

August 9, 1951 – January 20, 2016

Kriegshauser Mortuary-West Chapel

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