Obituary of Thomas A. Reilly

Thomas A. Reilly of Cape May, NJ died Friday December 9 after a lengthy illness. He was 64. Tom "Tommy" was born in Vineland, NJ on September 23, 1947. A graduate of Sacred Heart High School, Tom was the youngest of 4 siblings. He attended St. Joseph's College and worked for several years as a one-on-one companion at the Elwyn Institute. Tom was a popular Cape May bartender for more than twenty years, working at the Marquis de Lafayette, the Pilot House and Carney's. Tom enjoyed hunting, fishing, and the outdoors, and he loved to swing a golf club. He was an avid reader and storyteller. He hardly missed an Eagles, Phillies, or Flyers game, and is surely still looking for that elusive Super Bowl win. Tom was a loving son, brother, father and grandfather, a loyal confidante, and a valued friend. He had the heart of a warrior and the soul of a poet, and found his peace by the ocean, on the beach of his beloved Cape May. Tom was preceded in death by his father, Charles V. Reilly Sr., and his brother Charles V. Reilly Jr., both of Vineland. Tom is survived by his loving partner of 20 years, Donna Magee of Cape May, NJ; sons, David Reilly and Stephen (Emily) Reilly of Annapolis, MD; daughters, Sarah Madden of Harrisonburg, VA, and Amy (Bruce) Jett of Woodstock, VA; his mother, Donata M. Reilly of Vineland; sister Ann Marie (Vito) Fantini of Upper Deerfield Twp, NJ; brother Francis (Bonnie) Reilly of Vineland; and grandchildren Jackson, Patrick, Jared, Brandan and Charlotte Reilly, Makhi and Marissa Madden, Drew and Karma Jett. A church visitation will be held from 9-11am Tuesday, December 13, with a Memorial Mass immediately following at Christ the Good Shepard Parish Church- of St. Isidore the Farmer 1655 Magnolia Rd. Vineland. Burial will follow in the family plot in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Vineland Arrangements under the supervision of Rone Funeral Service 1110 E. Chestnut Ave. Vineland, NJ 08360 Donation in Tommy's memory may be made to, Fox Chase Cancer Center 333 Cottman Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19111