John "Dick" Reilly

John Richard "Dick" "Papa" Reilly

February 12, 1939 - July 22, 2023

84 years of life well lived, good examples set, love shared together with Mary "Mae" Reilly for 66 years, married for 62 years.

Dick lived in Malden, MA for over 50 years, then moved to North Berwick, ME, to be closer to his daughter, Laura Cashell, husband, Thomas, and granddaughters, Kalayaan and Malaya.

Dick touched many lives through his years, sharing his wisdom in his own funny, unguarded, welcoming ways.  He quietly and sometimes not so quietly acted for justice for those who needed a voice.  After serving in the Air Force, he was dedicated to helping disabled Vietnam Veterans through his counseling work at Northern Essex Community College.  After several years in various counseling positions, he retired from working at the USPS as a letter carrier.

He had one daughter but was a dad figure to many. He shared his love, compassion, and wisdom openly.

Dick's sense of humor and welcoming energy drew people in wherever he went. He loved to travel and shared his stories like being mistaken for Sean Connery in Maui.  He was equally as happy to return to his home after his adventures. 

 He put people at ease with his authentic, welcoming personality. 

Dick was an avid reader, sharing many books from spirituality or philosophy to his own red book of collected quotes and thoughts.  He suggested that you "question everything" and "never stop learning."

He was a big kid at heart with a love of Sesame Street, The Muppets, and Winnie-the-Pooh.

He had a love of food that was built on many amazing meals created by Mae with love.  There was always room for dessert, and peanut butter went with everything.

Dick loved all kinds of music, had a lovely singing voice, and a special fondness for Jimmy Buffett, attending several Parrothead concerts over the years.

He touched and helped so many people with his loving, caring energy. While he's not physically with us anymore, his spirit remains through the ripple effect of good he put into the world.  He loved life, loved and appreciated Mae, and his family and friends.  He will be missed.

"Some of it's magic and some of it's tragic but I had a good life all the way."

-Jimmy Buffett

Dick was surrounded by people who loved him and cared for him throughout his life, especially Mae, and his brother-in-law, Bill, assisting in his caregiving as Dick faced cancer and dementia. A mass at Our Lady of Angels Church in South Berwick, ME will be on Friday, July 28, at 11:00 a.m. followed by a celebration of his life at his home at 18 Deerfield Rd., North Berwick, ME 03906. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to CornerstoneVNA Hospice: https://cornerstonevna.org/donate/

“When I am gone, release me – let me go

I have so many things to see and do.

You must not tie yourself to me with tears

Be happy that we had so many years. I gave you love,

you can only guess, how much you gave me in happiness.

I thank you for the love each have shown,

but now it is time I travelled alone.

So grieve awhile for me if grieve you must, 

then let your grief be comforted by trust

It is only for a while that we must part

so bless those memories within your heart.

I will not be far away, for life goes on.

so if you need me, call and I will come.

Though you cannot see or touch me, I will be near

And if you listen with your heart, you will hear

All of my love around you, soft and clear.

Then when you must come this way alone,

I will greet you with a smile and “Welcome Home””

-Anon

He recommended several books from psychology and philosophy to Buddhist Boot Camp and the Book of Joy, to books by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and Rachel Carson, and many more.  

Here are a few quotes that might remind you of him:

"Breathe In. Breathe Out. Move On"

-Jimmy Buffett

“...You have the freedom to be yourself, your true self, here and now, and nothing can stand in your way.” 

- Richard Bach, Jonathan Livingston Seagull 

“I’m growing older but not up.” 

- Jimmy Buffett 

“I’ve learned so much from my mistakes, I think I’m going to go make some more!”

- anonymous

“Do you really want to be happy? You can begin by being appreciative of who you are and what you’ve got.”

-Benjamin Hoff, The Tao of Pooh

“If you recall the happiest moments in your life, they are all from when you were doing something for somebody else.” 

- Desmond Tutu

“Do or Do Not. There is no try.”

- Yoda

He was wise and inspirational.  Please continue to read, learn, grow, and question everything - in his memory.

Love you always, Papa.

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