Charles Harold Reilly , July 04, 1933 — May 07, 2018

Charles H. Reilly passed away Monday May 7th, 2018 at age 84. Born on Independence Day in 1933, he was proudly patriotic about this country. He was preceded by his father, T.Harold, his mother Margaret (Peg), his brother Tom, his sister Mary (Rauser), and cousins Frank Reilly and Bill VanDomelen.

His memory continues in his two sons Tim and Scott (Jennifer) Reilly, and his grandchildren Alex and Ana Reilly, as well as through his nieces, nephew, sister-in-law Florence Reilly and cousins Susie Beers, Gordon Reilly and Ed Reilly, as well as his former spouse Ellen, and extended family. As a Grand Rapids native and resident his entire life, you may have known him as a Cub Scout leader, a Democratic party director and fundraiser (and jury commissioner), or as the man that sold you your license plates or a model car for your kids from Reilly’s Gift and Hobby shop that he owned on Fulton St. with his brother Tom. You may have been well taken care of by Chuck buying a suit at Steketee’s or being comforted at a funeral when he was part of the Metcalf and Jonkhoff funeral homes.

He definitely liked to have fun, so maybe you knew him at his famous barn parties in Holland or watched the thoroughbred horses that he, Tom and Mary (a great rider) owned and raced at DRC, or just palled around with him at GR Catholic Central HS (Class of 1951). Even in retirement you may have watched him tending flowers at the nursing home or seen him making morning coffee for people at the senior apartment complex where he lived and was Resident Association President for many years. In any way you knew him, you immediately knew he has the Irish “gift of gab” and never met a stranger.

In all he did, he had an attitude of service to others, of justice and fair play, and a passion for politics and people. We his sons were lucky to have him instill the virtues of hard work and family first mentality, and are grateful to this day and beyond. Please join us if you can for a visitation at Memorial Alternatives at 2432 Fuller Ave.

NE Grand Rapids next Monday May 14th, from 2-4pm or 6-8pm to share memories, pray, and join in celebrating his life. There will be a short prayer service to start the 6pm visitation. His favorite charity was St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, and any donations in his name would make him happy to help serve others one more time.

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