John Joseph Reilly, a man of humor, intellect, and an adventurous spirit, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2026 in Shelburne, Vermont surrounded by family. Born on December 13, 1936 in New York City to Irish immigrant parents, Amos and Hanora Reilly, John lived a life marked by curiosity, resilience, and deep connections with family and friends.

John's early years were shaped by his upbringing in Brooklyn, New York. He attended George Westinghouse High School near the Naval Boatyard before embarking on two years of service in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Intrepid. John pursued higher education at Pace University, demonstrating his drive for personal and professional growth.

John's personal life was rich and fulfilling. He married Marianne Ondocin in 1959. They welcomed a son, John Christopher, in 1960 and a daughter, Diana Keir, in 1963. Years later, John shared a loving partnership of fifty years with Rosemarie "Rae" Saitta. Together they built cherished memories. John was a devoted father to Johnny and Diana, and a very proud grandfather to his beloved "girls," Grace Ondocin Seeley and Nora Ondocin Richard. He also embraced Rae's children—Marie Castronova, Richard Saitta, Alex (Carmen) Saitta—and their families. John's sister, Ann Batule, survives him as well along with numerous nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends.

John was predeceased by his beloved son, John Christopher Reilly, in 2022—a loss that deeply affected him—as well as by his siblings Ellen Reilly and Jim Reilly. John was also predeceased by his close friend in Northport village, Don Kelley.

John's career was as dynamic as his personality. At just 14 years old, he began working on a bread truck before school in the morning —a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit and drive that would define much of his life. After his time in the Navy, John worked for the NY Yankees in their front office and later shifted to a job at Crum and Foster Insurance Company in Huntington, New York. However, it was as a Litigation Manager at Gillen and Caliendo Law Firm in the iconic Woolworth Building in NYC, and later at Cannon and Acosta Law Firm on Long Island, that John found his true calling. Known for his sharp negotiation skills and ability to secure out-of-court settlements, John earned the respect of colleagues and clients alike. Even after retiring, he maintained ties with his former coworkers, making a memorable spontaneous visit to his office shortly before relocating to Vermont in July 2025.

A man of many passions, John had an enduring love for the water. From the late 1960s onward, he made Northport, New York his home and created countless adventures on Northport Bay and Long Island Sound aboard his Chris Craft boat. His curiosity extended far beyond the shoreline; he was self-taught in investing long before modern technology made it accessible. His daughter Diana fondly recalls him pulling the car over to use phone booths to check on "what happened overnight in the international markets" during their daytime travels.

Travel was another cornerstone of John's life. Whether exploring Morocco in the 1970s (where a local healer cured him of a random ailment with tea and hot blankets), climbing into pyramids in Egypt before safety protocols were established, or navigating Ireland with extended family in 1985 to visit wonderful Irish cousins and explore his parents' hometowns of Ballydehob and Schull, County Cork—John embraced every journey with enthusiasm. Memorable trips included visiting Hawaii to see his nephew, Kevin, and family stationed there with the U.S. Army, driving through the American Southwest with Rae, missing a cruise ship in Santo Domingo with Diana only to catch up via banana boat and climbing a chain ladder to board, "You're never going to forget this, Di!", he shouted gleefully. He brought his children throughout Europe and the Caribbean. But very likely his favorite journeys were the ones with Rae, each and every weekend going from Northport to NYC museums and street fairs or heading "out East" to Montauk and Hamptons marinas.

"Jack" had a magnetic personality. He was known for his charisma, blue eyes, sharp wit, strong opinions, and generosity—always quick to pick up the restaurant bill or offer advice on any topic. He cherished friendships deeply; his fifty-year bond with Mark Foscolo (Cora) was particularly special, traveling the world together from Spain to Argentina, Morocco, Brazil, the Dominican Republic and more. Other dear friends included Gene Dailey from childhood through adulthood, Joe Verdi, Don Kelley in Northport, John and Nahid Saroudi, and his weekly poker group at Pete's house. For a handful of years in the 1960s, John played casual pick-up baseball with Jack Kerouac and other local writers and artists in Northport.

Above all else, John was a gentleman—a doting and adoring "Papa" to his granddaughters, a supportive uncle to nieces and nephews, a loving and supportive brother to Ann Batule and Ellen Reilly, and a steadfast partner to Rae.

John Joseph Reilly leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and adventure that will be treasured by those fortunate enough to have shared in his journey through life. May his memory bring comfort to all who mourn him.