Gerard James O’Reilly

August 23, 1929 to February 3, 2018

Obituary

Passed peacefully away on February 3, 2018 in his 88th year.   Gerard was born in New York, of Newfoundland parents, and as a young man joined the U.S. Navy on an aircraft carrier during the Korean War. On a visit back to Newfoundland, Gerard met Isabelle and they were married six weeks later and their relationship was a true love story that lasted for 59 years.  In the early 1960’s, after completing his degree in Agriculture, they returned to Newfoundland where Gerard assumed the position of Poultry Commissioner. He became Deputy Minister of Agriculture and later Rural Development. He was a man ahead of his time and was instrumental in hiring Agriculture specialists from other countries. Gerard had a great love for all people and was always interested in hearing their stories. His sense of humor had a positive impact on all of us. He was predeceased by his loving wife Isabelle (2011), and his parents Edward and Isabelle, and brother Albert.  Leaving to mourn with fond and loving memories daughters Judy (Sam) and Carol (Rod MacDonald); sons Jeff (Jeanne) and Ed (Mary Alice); grandchildren Katrine and Sean; as well as other relatives and friends. Special thanks to the staff at Pleasant View Towers. Visitation will be held at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road, on Tuesday, February 6 from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Funeral service will be held at St. Pius X on Wednesday, February 7 at 1:15 p.m. with interment to follow at Belvedere Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society or the SPCA.

Schedule

Visitations

2-4 p.m. on February 6, 2018

7-9 p.m. on February 6, 2018

Carnell’s Funeral Home
329 Freshwater Road
View on Map


funeral

1:15pm, Wednesday February 7th

St. Pius X


Condolences

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Ed, Deepest condolences to your family during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Ed,Jeff,and family’s I,m so sorry to learn the passing of your Dad,May God rest his gentle soul,,and give you all peace.Your in my thoughts and prayers xo

Jeff, Ed and family, we were so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. I knew your dad for a long time during my days with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. My wife Helen worked with him in Rural Development. He was a very kind man with a large heart. He had a very great knowledge of agriculture. He will be surely missed by all of us that knew him. All the very best to all your family and may God Bless.

Ed and Helen Woodrow

Only learning of your Dad’s passing today & feeling so sorry to have missed offering you all my condolences in person. Your Dad was a wonderful & caring person. Treasure your beautiful family memories. xo

Ed , our sincere condolences to you and your family on your father’s passing. We had the pleasure of meeting your Dad once when he was on a Costco visit with you. His warm and endearing personality shone through in that very short time and made a lasting impression. May your fond memories bring you much comfort.

Dorothy and Don French

Ed & Family, sincerest condolences. Please know that I held your father in high regard… from when he first helped me as a lowly student. It was a pleasure working with him and you later in life.

Carol and Sean,
We are so saddened to hear of the passing of your Dad/Grandfather. We will always remember Gerard’s smile, warmth and funny stories. May your memories give you peace and comfort.
Sharon, Ross, Kelsey and James

Dear Judy and the O,’Reilly Family,I am so sorry to hear of yourDads`s passing..Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

My Deepest Sympathy to all of the Family.
I met this Wonderful Kind man when he resided at Kenny’s Pond, he wore a Smile anytime I met and talked with him.
It was my Greatest pleasure to know you,and I thoroughly enjoyed hearing all of your life stories.
God Bless and May you rest in peace Mr O’Reilly

Mary Sutton
Housekeeper at Kenny’s Pond.

To the O’Reilly Family,

My sincere condolences to you on Gerard’s passing. He was a wonderful man and I enjoyed the opportunity to work with he and Isabelle over the years. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

To the O’Reilly Family
No doubt you’ll experience many emotions over the days ahead. Hold those precious memories of your dad’s good days close to your heart. We’re all thinking about you at this difficult time.

Ed,
Very sorry to hear of your father crossing the bar. He was a kind and gentle soul and I will always remember his smiling presence at TNYC events or aboard Siboney.

Dearest Judy, Ed, Jeff and Carol:
I am so sorry to hear about your Dad’s passing-sincere condolences. I have such wonderful memories off your Mom and Dad and all the fun times spent at your house and in nature. Thinking of you today and wishing I could be in St. John’s to give each of you a hug. You will be in my prayers and thoughts during these difficult days. May all your own wonderful family memories help bring you peace.

Carol – I am so sorry for the loss of your Dad. I will hold you and your family in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

Judy, Ed, Jeff and Carol – I have nothing but great memories of both your parents (and you all) from when I was a kid. They were wonderful people and I am lucky to have known them both. Love from Texas.

Jude, Ed, Jeff and Carol, I’m so sorry to hear this news. I have fond memories of both your parents from years gone by which I treasure.

our condolences to the family members of Mr. O’Reilly, and a special note to Ed as former co-workers.

So Sorry to hear of Gerald passing…..please accept my condolences…..a good man indeed…..God Bless.

To the O’Reilly Family:
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families in the recent passing of your dear father. May you keep his memory close to your hearts! Gone but not forgotten. Rest In Peace, Gerard!

My condolences to the O’Reilly family on this sad occasion. Please accept my thoughts and prayers and as well as my gratitude for Mr. O’Reilly’s notable public service in the area of agriculture.
Kind regards,
Sheilagh O’Leary

Dear Ed,
So sorry to hear of your father’s passing.
My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Chris LeGrow

Ed and the O’Reilly family;
So sorry to hear about your Dad’s passing. He was a very fine man. We had many a chat during my time in Community Development and later when I started my sod farming business in St. Shott’s. Our deepest condolences on the loss of a very kind and gentle man. May be rest in peace.
Pat Hewitt

Dearest Carol and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very sad and difficult time. Your father was a wonderful man; I know you have lots of great memories to cherish in your heart forever. Sending you a big hug. Our sympathy, love and friendship, Marge and Barry

Carol and Sean, you dad , mom and grandparents were lovely people and it was a pleasure to be in their company. My condolences on Mr. O’Reilly’s passing. Special thoughts.

Our deepest sympathy on the passing of Uncle Gerard. He was blessed with a long and happy life.
Sincerely
Mary Kavanagh

Carol and Family, my condolences on your Dad’s passing. I met him once,in Moncton. He was visiting you. Nice man..

We are deeply saddened to learn of your Dad’s passing. Please know that our thoughts are with you all today.

My condolences to the O’Rielly family. I knew and worked with Gerald when he was a voulenteer with the Canadian Red Cross, Newfoundland and Labrador Division. He was a mild mannered man with a desire to help people. My prayers and thoughts are with his family during their time of sorrow.

.Sincere condolences to the O’Rielly Family. Your Dad was a true gentleman and was a household name in our family when I was young… He and your Mom spent lots of times over at our Farm and friendships resulted over and above his Dept duties.
Little did I know then, that you and I would meet, Ed, through Agriculture in the same manner as our Fathers did! I’m sure your precious memories will help you and all your family get through this sad time. No matter our age, or theirs, there is never a good time or age to lose a parent. On behalf of Tom and I, please know you are in our thoughts.

To
Eddie,Jeff,Judy,Carol and spouses
Sorry to hear the news today of the passing of your Dad.
We sure had wonderful memories and lots of fun living on
Our cul de sac all like a big family………….
Take care of yourselves and may God Bless you all.
Our sincerest condolences.
Hugs,
Dorothy and Jane

Judy and Family ,

Thoughts and prayers are with you.

Ed and family. Gil and I are so sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time. Your Dad was a marvellous gentle kind man who loved his family dearly and loved being at the boat with you Ed. Hold your memories close and I’m sure you have a lot. Gil and June

Dear Judy and family
We are thinking of you all and our sincere condolences at this very difficult time in your lives. May you all find comfort in the beautiful memories of your Dad and the wonderful legacy he has left behind .
With sympathy
Rosemary and Gene

Dear Ed and Family
So sorry to hear of your father’s passing.
Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time in your life.
Sincerely
Bob and Mary Warren

Judy and family,
I am so sorry to learn of your dad’s passing. I have such wonderful memories of both your parents on our flights. They truly enjoyed travelling and loved life.
Debbie Robertson

Carol and family: so very sorry for your loss. Your dad was a fine man, blessed with a spirited sense of humous and a great zest for life. He and your Mom, bless her soul, have left a tremendous legacy: Four fine children and an extended family of whom they will always be proud.