Commander Redmond J. Reilly, USN (ret.): July 30, 1918 - December 30, 2003
The heavens gained a favorite son and we lost one of the heroes of "The Greatest Generation."
Redmond Joseph Reilly was born July 30, 1918, in Charleston, S.C., to Daniel and Amelda Reilly. Redmond grew up in Charleston and loved the water, later becoming a lifeguard on Sullivan's Island. He attended Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala. Red excelled in academics as well as football, basketball, baseball and was the heavyweight boxing champion, knocking out three of his opponents. He was active in several clubs and was proud to serve as an altar boy. In 1940, his senior year, he was voted by the student body as "most popular" and was also awarded the Matt Rice Service Cup for his commitment to his college.
He aspired to be a Jesuit priest but as fate would have it, WW II came knocking and Redmond answered the call of duty. He joined the Navy in hopes of becoming a "flyboy," unfortunately his eyes weren't good enough so he went back to his first love; the sea. Red quickly found his niche in the P.T. boats and underwater demolition teams and then the OSS. As the commander of P.T. boat 144 Hellcat, he saw action in the Pacific and Atlantic theaters, as well as in Korea. He made many life-long friends, one of the most memorable was John F. Kennedy.
After the war, he was assigned to the Naval Training Center in Dubuque, Iowa. It was there that he met the love of his life, Mary Murphy. They were married in 1952 in Dubuque. In September of 1951, Lt. Cmdr. Reilly was assigned to the Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado. As one of the first commanding officers of the underwater demolition teams, he was instrumental in developing the spirit of adventure and commitment that is exemplified in the naval SEAL teams of today. After 18 years of military service, he became a naval reservist. Red went into teaching, real estate and financial planning. In May of 2002 he attended his last P.T. boat reunion in San Diego. It was written, "that these gray-haired, mild looking men once represented the top in glamour as you fought the war … They were 'expendable' men, like the book said, and reckless men, and daring men, and today they look just like you and me."
These experiences later led to an endless amount of story telling to anyone and everyone that would listen. Redmond and Mary raised five children in Coronado. Red would often boast that they never locked their front door, as everyone was always welcome. With his Southern charm and Irish wit, Red had a special ability to make you instantly feel like you'd been lifelong friends. He was deeply devoted to his family, Catholic faith, country and friends.
"Big Red" was a volunteer for the March of Dimes and Lions Club. He always looked forward to volunteering as one of the announcers at the 4th of July parade. He would not only announce the parade but would also announce friends as they passed by. In 1981, Red and Mary sold their family home in Coronado, put their belongings in storage and hit the road. For the next 15 years they crisscrossed the globe making friends wherever they landed. Their final home together was in Sun City.
Redmond J. Reilly passed away on Dec. 30 in Los Angeles due to complications from Parkinson's syndrome. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary; granddaughter, Kaitlin; his parents, Daniel and Amanda Reilly; siblings, Edward Reilly, Rosemary Reilly Ortengren, Helen Reilly Cweren and William Reilly; sister-in-aws, Dorothy Murphy and Imelda Pieckenbrock; and brother in-laws, Tom Cody and John Ginder.
(www.coronadonewsca.com)
Redmond Joseph Reilly was born July 30, 1918, in Charleston, South Carolina. He attended Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama. In 1948 Red enlisted in the Navy. As the commander of P.T. Boat 144 Hellcat, he saw action in the Pacific and Atlantic Theaters, and Korea. After the war, he was assigned to the Naval Training Center in Dubuque, Iowa. It was there that he met the "love of his life", Mary Murphy. They were married in 1952. Red was assigned to the NAB in Coronado, Calif., as one of the first commanding officers ' of the UDT. After his retirement, Red went into teaching, real estate and financial planning.
Red had a special ability with his Southern charm and Irish wit to make you instantly feel like you'd been lifelong friends. Redmond J. Reilly passed away on December 30, 2003.
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Mary and granddaughter, Kaitlin.
(Published in the San Diego Union-Tribune on 1/15/2004)
The heavens gained a favorite son and we lost one of the heroes of "The Greatest Generation."
Redmond Joseph Reilly was born July 30, 1918, in Charleston, S.C., to Daniel and Amelda Reilly. Redmond grew up in Charleston and loved the water, later becoming a lifeguard on Sullivan's Island. He attended Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala. Red excelled in academics as well as football, basketball, baseball and was the heavyweight boxing champion, knocking out three of his opponents. He was active in several clubs and was proud to serve as an altar boy. In 1940, his senior year, he was voted by the student body as "most popular" and was also awarded the Matt Rice Service Cup for his commitment to his college.
He aspired to be a Jesuit priest but as fate would have it, WW II came knocking and Redmond answered the call of duty. He joined the Navy in hopes of becoming a "flyboy," unfortunately his eyes weren't good enough so he went back to his first love; the sea. Red quickly found his niche in the P.T. boats and underwater demolition teams and then the OSS. As the commander of P.T. boat 144 Hellcat, he saw action in the Pacific and Atlantic theaters, as well as in Korea. He made many life-long friends, one of the most memorable was John F. Kennedy.
After the war, he was assigned to the Naval Training Center in Dubuque, Iowa. It was there that he met the love of his life, Mary Murphy. They were married in 1952 in Dubuque. In September of 1951, Lt. Cmdr. Reilly was assigned to the Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado. As one of the first commanding officers of the underwater demolition teams, he was instrumental in developing the spirit of adventure and commitment that is exemplified in the naval SEAL teams of today. After 18 years of military service, he became a naval reservist. Red went into teaching, real estate and financial planning. In May of 2002 he attended his last P.T. boat reunion in San Diego. It was written, "that these gray-haired, mild looking men once represented the top in glamour as you fought the war … They were 'expendable' men, like the book said, and reckless men, and daring men, and today they look just like you and me."
These experiences later led to an endless amount of story telling to anyone and everyone that would listen. Redmond and Mary raised five children in Coronado. Red would often boast that they never locked their front door, as everyone was always welcome. With his Southern charm and Irish wit, Red had a special ability to make you instantly feel like you'd been lifelong friends. He was deeply devoted to his family, Catholic faith, country and friends.
"Big Red" was a volunteer for the March of Dimes and Lions Club. He always looked forward to volunteering as one of the announcers at the 4th of July parade. He would not only announce the parade but would also announce friends as they passed by. In 1981, Red and Mary sold their family home in Coronado, put their belongings in storage and hit the road. For the next 15 years they crisscrossed the globe making friends wherever they landed. Their final home together was in Sun City.
Redmond J. Reilly passed away on Dec. 30 in Los Angeles due to complications from Parkinson's syndrome. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary; granddaughter, Kaitlin; his parents, Daniel and Amanda Reilly; siblings, Edward Reilly, Rosemary Reilly Ortengren, Helen Reilly Cweren and William Reilly; sister-in-aws, Dorothy Murphy and Imelda Pieckenbrock; and brother in-laws, Tom Cody and John Ginder.
(www.coronadonewsca.com)
Redmond Joseph Reilly was born July 30, 1918, in Charleston, South Carolina. He attended Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama. In 1948 Red enlisted in the Navy. As the commander of P.T. Boat 144 Hellcat, he saw action in the Pacific and Atlantic Theaters, and Korea. After the war, he was assigned to the Naval Training Center in Dubuque, Iowa. It was there that he met the "love of his life", Mary Murphy. They were married in 1952. Red was assigned to the NAB in Coronado, Calif., as one of the first commanding officers ' of the UDT. After his retirement, Red went into teaching, real estate and financial planning.
Red had a special ability with his Southern charm and Irish wit to make you instantly feel like you'd been lifelong friends. Redmond J. Reilly passed away on December 30, 2003.
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Mary and granddaughter, Kaitlin.
(Published in the San Diego Union-Tribune on 1/15/2004)
Commander Redmond J. Reilly, USN (ret.): July 30, 1918 - December 30, 2003
The heavens gained a favorite son and we lost one of the heroes of "The Greatest Generation."
Redmond Joseph Reilly was born July 30, 1918, in Charleston, S.C., to Daniel and Amelda Reilly. Redmond grew up in Charleston and loved the water, later becoming a lifeguard on Sullivan's Island. He attended Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala. Red excelled in academics as well as football, basketball, baseball and was the heavyweight boxing champion, knocking out three of his opponents. He was active in several clubs and was proud to serve as an altar boy. In 1940, his senior year, he was voted by the student body as "most popular" and was also awarded the Matt Rice Service Cup for his commitment to his college.
He aspired to be a Jesuit priest but as fate would have it, WW II came knocking and Redmond answered the call of duty. He joined the Navy in hopes of becoming a "flyboy," unfortunately his eyes weren't good enough so he went back to his first love; the sea. Red quickly found his niche in the P.T. boats and underwater demolition teams and then the OSS. As the commander of P.T. boat 144 Hellcat, he saw action in the Pacific and Atlantic theaters, as well as in Korea. He made many life-long friends, one of the most memorable was John F. Kennedy.
After the war, he was assigned to the Naval Training Center in Dubuque, Iowa. It was there that he met the love of his life, Mary Murphy. They were married in 1952 in Dubuque. In September of 1951, Lt. Cmdr. Reilly was assigned to the Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado. As one of the first commanding officers of the underwater demolition teams, he was instrumental in developing the spirit of adventure and commitment that is exemplified in the naval SEAL teams of today. After 18 years of military service, he became a naval reservist. Red went into teaching, real estate and financial planning. In May of 2002 he attended his last P.T. boat reunion in San Diego. It was written, "that these gray-haired, mild looking men once represented the top in glamour as you fought the war … They were 'expendable' men, like the book said, and reckless men, and daring men, and today they look just like you and me."
These experiences later led to an endless amount of story telling to anyone and everyone that would listen. Redmond and Mary raised five children in Coronado. Red would often boast that they never locked their front door, as everyone was always welcome. With his Southern charm and Irish wit, Red had a special ability to make you instantly feel like you'd been lifelong friends. He was deeply devoted to his family, Catholic faith, country and friends.
"Big Red" was a volunteer for the March of Dimes and Lions Club. He always looked forward to volunteering as one of the announcers at the 4th of July parade. He would not only announce the parade but would also announce friends as they passed by. In 1981, Red and Mary sold their family home in Coronado, put their belongings in storage and hit the road. For the next 15 years they crisscrossed the globe making friends wherever they landed. Their final home together was in Sun City.
Redmond J. Reilly passed away on Dec. 30 in Los Angeles due to complications from Parkinson's syndrome. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary; granddaughter, Kaitlin; his parents, Daniel and Amanda Reilly; siblings, Edward Reilly, Rosemary Reilly Ortengren, Helen Reilly Cweren and William Reilly; sister-in-aws, Dorothy Murphy and Imelda Pieckenbrock; and brother in-laws, Tom Cody and John Ginder.
(www.coronadonewsca.com)
Redmond Joseph Reilly was born July 30, 1918, in Charleston, South Carolina. He attended Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama. In 1948 Red enlisted in the Navy. As the commander of P.T. Boat 144 Hellcat, he saw action in the Pacific and Atlantic Theaters, and Korea. After the war, he was assigned to the Naval Training Center in Dubuque, Iowa. It was there that he met the "love of his life", Mary Murphy. They were married in 1952. Red was assigned to the NAB in Coronado, Calif., as one of the first commanding officers ' of the UDT. After his retirement, Red went into teaching, real estate and financial planning.
Red had a special ability with his Southern charm and Irish wit to make you instantly feel like you'd been lifelong friends. Redmond J. Reilly passed away on December 30, 2003.
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Mary and granddaughter, Kaitlin.
(Published in the San Diego Union-Tribune on 1/15/2004)
The heavens gained a favorite son and we lost one of the heroes of "The Greatest Generation."
Redmond Joseph Reilly was born July 30, 1918, in Charleston, S.C., to Daniel and Amelda Reilly. Redmond grew up in Charleston and loved the water, later becoming a lifeguard on Sullivan's Island. He attended Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala. Red excelled in academics as well as football, basketball, baseball and was the heavyweight boxing champion, knocking out three of his opponents. He was active in several clubs and was proud to serve as an altar boy. In 1940, his senior year, he was voted by the student body as "most popular" and was also awarded the Matt Rice Service Cup for his commitment to his college.
He aspired to be a Jesuit priest but as fate would have it, WW II came knocking and Redmond answered the call of duty. He joined the Navy in hopes of becoming a "flyboy," unfortunately his eyes weren't good enough so he went back to his first love; the sea. Red quickly found his niche in the P.T. boats and underwater demolition teams and then the OSS. As the commander of P.T. boat 144 Hellcat, he saw action in the Pacific and Atlantic theaters, as well as in Korea. He made many life-long friends, one of the most memorable was John F. Kennedy.
After the war, he was assigned to the Naval Training Center in Dubuque, Iowa. It was there that he met the love of his life, Mary Murphy. They were married in 1952 in Dubuque. In September of 1951, Lt. Cmdr. Reilly was assigned to the Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado. As one of the first commanding officers of the underwater demolition teams, he was instrumental in developing the spirit of adventure and commitment that is exemplified in the naval SEAL teams of today. After 18 years of military service, he became a naval reservist. Red went into teaching, real estate and financial planning. In May of 2002 he attended his last P.T. boat reunion in San Diego. It was written, "that these gray-haired, mild looking men once represented the top in glamour as you fought the war … They were 'expendable' men, like the book said, and reckless men, and daring men, and today they look just like you and me."
These experiences later led to an endless amount of story telling to anyone and everyone that would listen. Redmond and Mary raised five children in Coronado. Red would often boast that they never locked their front door, as everyone was always welcome. With his Southern charm and Irish wit, Red had a special ability to make you instantly feel like you'd been lifelong friends. He was deeply devoted to his family, Catholic faith, country and friends.
"Big Red" was a volunteer for the March of Dimes and Lions Club. He always looked forward to volunteering as one of the announcers at the 4th of July parade. He would not only announce the parade but would also announce friends as they passed by. In 1981, Red and Mary sold their family home in Coronado, put their belongings in storage and hit the road. For the next 15 years they crisscrossed the globe making friends wherever they landed. Their final home together was in Sun City.
Redmond J. Reilly passed away on Dec. 30 in Los Angeles due to complications from Parkinson's syndrome. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary; granddaughter, Kaitlin; his parents, Daniel and Amanda Reilly; siblings, Edward Reilly, Rosemary Reilly Ortengren, Helen Reilly Cweren and William Reilly; sister-in-aws, Dorothy Murphy and Imelda Pieckenbrock; and brother in-laws, Tom Cody and John Ginder.
(www.coronadonewsca.com)
Redmond Joseph Reilly was born July 30, 1918, in Charleston, South Carolina. He attended Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama. In 1948 Red enlisted in the Navy. As the commander of P.T. Boat 144 Hellcat, he saw action in the Pacific and Atlantic Theaters, and Korea. After the war, he was assigned to the Naval Training Center in Dubuque, Iowa. It was there that he met the "love of his life", Mary Murphy. They were married in 1952. Red was assigned to the NAB in Coronado, Calif., as one of the first commanding officers ' of the UDT. After his retirement, Red went into teaching, real estate and financial planning.
Red had a special ability with his Southern charm and Irish wit to make you instantly feel like you'd been lifelong friends. Redmond J. Reilly passed away on December 30, 2003.
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Mary and granddaughter, Kaitlin.
(Published in the San Diego Union-Tribune on 1/15/2004)
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