John REILLY

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REILLY: John Edmund (Kiwi). Our loving husband, Dad and friend (May 11, 2009) will continue to run and make tackles in his next life. John was born June 13, 1948 and grew up in Napier, New Zealand where he was a member of the Napier Marist Rugby Football Club, completed his apprenticeship in flooring installation, played cricket and dedicated his time to volunteering on various committees with the Marist Club. John and Iris met in September 1972 on a "blind date" arranged by a fellow rugby mate. We returned to Canada in 1975, were married, settled in Brandon and John began his life in Canada as a flooring installer. Throughout the 40 years in this trade he worked for a variety of carpet stores and owned his business "J.E. Reilly Flooring". His career took on a new challenge in 2005 when he completed the Bus Driver course and began employment with the Transportation Department of the Brandon School Division, a position that he maintained until the presenttime. John described this position as his "dream job". He enjoyed the children, the teachers and his fellow bus drivers. John was a founding member of the Brandon Barbarians Rugby Football and Athletic Club Inc in 1981 along with Guy McKim and Doug Filipchuk. He spent many hours as player, coach, referee, club president, executive member and his favorite time was spent on the tractor maintaining the fields of Canada Games Rugby Park. The fields are a legacy to the game of rugby as John was instrumental in the development of the fields for Canada Games in 1997. Our three children, Cameron, Brendon and Janine were involved in all sports including soccer, hockey, basketball, volleyball and cross-country running. Of course John volunteered as coach, manager, timekeeper or whatever position needed to be filled. He was always keen for a road trip away with the teams. He was President of the Brandon Youth Soccer Association for several years. Marathon running became a passion with John, completing five marathons. His goal was to qualify for the Boston Marathon at the age of sixty years. John was an individual dedicated to his family, his job, his Rugby Club, his friends and to enjoying life. He is survived by Iris, Cameron, Brendon, Janine and special friend Marilyn Fruck. Family in New Zealand are brother Bernard and Regan, nephews David, Liam and Reid O'Brien; sister-in-law Christine and brother- in-law Mike Gardner; nephew Jason and Michelle and great nephew Liam Reilly; and niece Kim Carlisle. Predeceased by his parents Edward and Edna Reilly, brother Michael Reilly, Iris's parents Ernest and Annie Mulvay and brother-in-law Dawson Mulvay. A Celebration of John's life was held in St Matthew's Cathedral, officiated by Ven. Noah Njegovan on May 15, 2009. Memorial gifts in memory of John may be made to Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation (Acute Care), 150 McTavish Avenue East, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 2B3 or Brandon Barbarian Rugby Football and Athletic Club Inc., 67 Wilnor Bay, Brandon, Manitoba R7B 2H8.Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com. Arrangements were with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jun 06, 2009