George Richard O'Reilly

HOFF CELEBRATION OF LIFE CENTER, GOODVIEW 507-452-4241 George Richard "Dick" O'Reilly, 79, of Winona, Minn. died on Saturday, September 28, 2013, at his home. George was born on October 4, 1933, in Red Wing, Minnesota to George Peter and Mary (Ryan) O'Reilly. He was raised in Goodhue and graduated from Goodhue High School in 1951. George graduated from Winona Teachers College in 1955, after lettering in basketball in each of his four years, and also serving as team captain during his senior year. George was a teacher and coach at Almond, Wisconsin in 1955 and 1956. On December 29, 1956 he was united in marriage with Nancy Gynild. George served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958, and served in the U.S. Army reserves for four years after his active duty. He taught and coached at Claremont High School, Claremont, Minnesota from 1958 to 1961. George then worked for Watkins Products in a sales and marketing capacity from 1961 until his retirement in 1996. Through his career at Watkins, George lived and worked in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Portland, Oregon; and Concord, California; prior to moving to Winona in 1969. He was a very active member of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona. George was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, WSU Warrior Club and was a volunteer for SEMCAC and Winona Volunteer Services. George is survived by his wife, Nancy; four children: Brian (Gayle) O'Reilly of North St. Paul, Minn., Mary Beth "Betsy" (Dean) Sitz of Wahpeton, North Dakota, Kevin (Susan) O'Reilly of Winona, and Matthew (Susan) O'Reilly of Council Bluffs, Iowa; seven grandchildren: Douglas, Andrew, Sean, Colin, Evan, Shannon and Amanda; two step-grandchildren: April Huseby and Cherry (Brett) Counoyer; three step-great-grandchildren: Carter, Dakota, and Caden; two sisters: Elizabeth Boxrud and Dorothy (James) Arendt, both of Rochester, Minn.; one brother, John (June) Haas of Fredrick, Wis.; many nieces and nephews, and by one brother-in-law and three sisters-in-law. He was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Marta O'Reilly; Step-father, Luverne Haas; and sister, Karen Michaud.There will be a Memorial Mass for George at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 5th, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona with the Rev. Richard Colletti officiating. Military Honors by the American Legion will follow the Funeral Mass at church. Burial will take place at a later date at St. Mary's Cemetery in Winona. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., also at Cathedral, on Friday October 4th with a 6:00 p.m. Knights of Columbus Service, followed by a prayer service. There will also be a one hour visitation prior to the Funeral Mass at the church.In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials directed to the Winona State University Warrior Club, Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona Volunteer Services or St. Anne's Extended Care. Hoff Celebration of Life Center in Goodview is assisting the family with arrangements.Leave a memory of George, sign his online guestbook and view his tribute video when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/430110