John Brendan O'Reilly

A Devoted Father, Brother, Uncle, and Grandpa

Passed away on April 2nd, 2025

It is with heavy hearts and deep love that we announce the passing of John “Brendan” O’Reilly — a beloved father, brother, uncle, and grandfather — who left us on April 2nd, 2025.

Brendan was the first in his family to be born in Australia after they emigrated from County Wexford, Ireland. The family settled in Toodyay, Western Australia, and Brendan attended school in Northam before pursuing higher education at the Western Australian Institute of Technology, now Curtin University.

A geophysicist by profession, Brendan’s work in the oil and gas industry took him across the globe. His career led him to many far-flung places, including the Philippines, where he met and instantly fell in love with Nannette, the love of his life. Over the course of his distinguished career, he was credited with three major oil discoveries. After 30 years of dedicated service to Phillips Petroleum, now ConocoPhillips, Brendan retired at the age of 56. He went on to enjoy life in Colorado, Oklahoma, Iowa, and Florida.

Brendan had many passions. He enjoyed photography, aerospace, and Fox News. But his greatest love and source of pride were his grandchildren.

During their 50-year marriage, Brendan and Nannette embraced a life of adventure, living in Australia, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Texas, England, Oklahoma, China, and Alaska.

Brendan is preceded in death by his father Patrick, mother Johanna, and niece Samantha Groves. He is survived by his beloved wife, Nannette; his children Paul (Melinda) and Michelle; and his cherished grandchildren Paiton, Hannah, Elizabeth, Dylan, and Caitlyn. He also leaves behind his siblings — Annette Zalevski, Hugh O’Reilly, Carmel (David) Simojoki, and Mary (Barry) Groves — all residing in Australia, as well as numerous nieces and nephews across the United States, the Philippines, Australia, Canada, England, Timor-Leste, and Switzerland.

A memorial service will be held at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Wildwood, Florida, on April 8, 2025. A viewing will take place at 11:00 AM, followed by Mass at 11:30 AM. The service will be livestreamed for loved ones overseas who are unable to attend in person.

Brendan was a generous man who always extended kindness to those in need. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in his memory to one of his favorite charities: the Wounded Warrior Project, Tunnel to Towers Foundation, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.