Rev Fr Joseph O'REILLY , retired priest from the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, on Monday 5th August 2013 in Bluffton, South Carolina. He was born on 10th December 1932 in Crott, Moyne, Co Longford, Ireland. He was educated in Moyne, Co Longford, Co Kilkenny & St Peter's, Wexford. Ordained on 3rd June 1956 for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, Fr O'Reilly served as Associate Pastor between 1956 and 1964 in St Paul's, Weirton, West Virginia, St Joseph the Worker, Weirton, W. Va, St Patrick's, Weston, W. Va and St Agnes, Charleston, W. Va.
In 1964 Fr O'Reilly was appointed Pastor at St Boniface and Missions, Leading Creek, W. Va moving to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, Ravenswood, W. Va where he built a rectory, St Margaret Mary's, Parkersburg, W. Va and White Sulphur Springs, W. Va where he remained until retirement in 2003. Fr O'Reilly was an enthusiastic golfer and it was his dream to retire to Bluffton, SC but in retirement he also assisted at St Francis by the Sea and the Holy Family in Hilton Head, SC and St Gregory the Great, Bluffton, SC.
Fr O'Reilly was preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Catherine (nee McKeon), brothers Rev Fr Michael, Diocese of Wheeling- Charleston, W. Va; Thomas, San Carlos, California; Francis, Ireland and sisters, Mary Ellen and husband Jim Adler, San Francisco, CA and Sr Anna Mary, Daughters of Mary and Joseph, Palos Verdes, CA.
Surviving are two brothers, John and wife Rose of San Bruno, CA; Peter and wife Kitty, Port Jervis, New York, sisters in law, Sarah, Ireland; Patsy, San Carlos, CA and many nieces and nephews.
A Vigil Service will be held from 6:30-8:30pm, Sunday, August 11, 2013 at St. Gregory the Great, 333 Fording Island Road, Bluffton. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11am, Monday, August 12, 2013 at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church.