Edward Reilly, Sr.

Edward Anthony Reilly, Sr., was born in New York City on November 18, 1925 to Helen and John Reilly and passed away at 96-year-old on December 16, 2021 in Littleton, CO.

He grew up in Elmhurst Long Island.  He graduated from Fordham Prep High School, attended Champlain College and graduated from Manhattan College in 1951.

As one of the "Greatest Generation" he served in the Navy Amphibious Forces during World War II in the Atlantic Theater which took him to France and finally to the Caribbean.

After college he met Jane Meyer, an American Airlines stewardess and they were married in 1953.  He went to work for Johns Manville Building Products in New York City and he was transferred to East Hartford, Connecticut where their four children Ed Jr., Ellen, Christopher and Gregory were born.  After 14 very happy years promotions transferred the family to Dunwoody, GA then to Wheaton, IL and finally in 1976 to the new Johns Manville Headquarters in Littleton, CO.  In their travels many lifelong friendships were made and some of them became part of the family.

When he retired from Johns Manville after 29 years, he had another successful career with Tamko Building products in Denver for 21 more years. He was a member of the Johns Manville Quarter Century Club as well as the Colorado Roofing Contractors Association (CRA).

To top off his 50-year career in the roofing industry he received the third annual Life Time Achievement Award from the Colorado Roofing Contractors Association.

His fun and easy-going personality made him loved and admired by all who knew him.  His trademark rendition of "Lucille" is a favorite memory of all that had the pleasure of hearing it.

He loved playing golf and was a lifelong "Brooklyn Dodgers" fan only to become a loyal Rockies fan when baseball came to Colorado and was able to throw out the First Pitch at a Dodgers-Rockies game.  The Broncos became part of the family as did the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, sister Helene Meunch, brother John Reilly and his beloved son Gregory.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Jane, brother Arthur Reilly and sister Kathleen Gregory, son Edward, Jr. (Joanne) of Bronxville, NY, daughter Ellen Dawe (Richard) of Sugarloaf Key, FL, son Christopher Reilly (Tina) of Littleton, CO.  Grandchildren Edward III, Kathryn, Jennifer, Michael, Jack, Elle, Meghan, and Nicholas, step-grandchildren Heidi, Tiffany and Toni Dawe and 13 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rob McReynold's Raise the Roof annual fund-raising campaign - Colorado Roofing Association (coloradoroofing.org).

The Funeral Mass will be held Friday January 14, 2022, 10:30 - 11:30am at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, 6673 West Chatfield Avenue, Littleton, CO 80128

The Graveside Service will be held Friday, January 14, 2022, 12:00 - 12:30pm at Littleton Cemetery, 6155 South Prince Street, Littleton, CO 80210.

A reception will follow the Graveside Service from 1:00-4:00 pm, The Farmhouse at Raccoon Creek, 7301 W. Bowles, Ave., Littleton, CO

Funeral Mass to be livestreamed at: https://youtu.be/ZE7zEZ8QOhM