Thomas J. Reilly (1937-2019)

REILLY, PERMANTIER, GAVIN

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 7/18/2019 at 11:17:30

Thomas John Reilly, 81, of Dubuque died on July 12, 2019 at Stonehill Care Center surrounded by family. Friends may greet the family from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, July 19, at Egelhof Siegert & Casper Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 JFK Rd. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 20, at Church of the Nativity, 1225 Alta Vista St. Msgr. James Miller will officiate. Interment will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Tom was born in Dubuque October 21, 1937 to Justin and Madeline (Permantier) Reilly. He attended Cathedral elementary school, and graduated from Loras Academy. He continued his education at Loras College (Class of 1959), majoring in Physics. He married Judy Gavin on July 14, 1962 at Nativity Church. Tom and Judy moved to Sioux City, where he began his career at Conservative Mortgage Company. They returned to Dubuque in 1966 when Tom joined American Trust & Savings Bank, where he worked for 25 years helping many local businesses get off the ground. Following his career at ATSB, Tom became a senior officer at East Dubuque Savings Bank, from where he retired.

Tom was a strong believer in service to community. He was very active in multiple Dubuque organizations, including the Jaycees (past president and Life Member), Rotary (Paul Harris Fellow), Save Your Town Clock Committee, Dubuque Chamber of Commerce (Red Coats, SCORE), Dubuque Homebuilders, the Colts Youth Organization Board of Directors, Ride the Rail, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Serra Club, and the Barn Community Theater. He was an active member of the Church of the Nativity where he was a member of the Rosary Society, as well as an enthusiastic member of the Nativity Choir.

Tom enjoyed performing in plays at the original Barn Community Theater and at the Grand Opera House. His first starring role was as Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. He also enjoyed performing in Annie Get Your Gun, Anything Goes, Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?, Oliver!, and many others.

Throughout his life, family came first for Tom. He was an avid golfer and proud of his Irish heritage. He loved family and loved a good joke - any excuse to share a laugh! His kids have fond memories of family trips with Dad at the wheel trying not to swear. He gave his family many memories by being the smile behind the camera. He was always quick to fire up the grill and compete at the Fair with his award-winning chicken. Tom provided unwavering support to his family and friends. He instilled a sense of faith, family, and community pride in those he touched.

Tom is survived by his wife of 57 years, Judy; children Mike (Maria) of San Jose, CA, John (Eileen) of Janesville, WI, Kevin of Waterford, CT, Colleen (John) Connor of Lenexa, KS, Maureen (Patrick) Fleming of Fox Lake, IL; grandchildren Christine Hanks; Andrew, Claire, and Bridget Reilly; Meghan, Matthew, and Molly Reilly; Nate and Logan Connor. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Jeanne (Leo) Walech, sister-in-law Linda (Glab) Gavin, brother-in-law Jim Rogan, and many nieces and nephews.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, aunts Jeannette Permantier and Pauline Hesselman; his in-laws Francis and Rita (Heitman) Gavin, sister-in-law Joanne (Gavin) Rogan, and brother-in-law Paul Gavin.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hospice of Dubuque or the Colts Youth Organization.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.egelhofsiegertcasper.com