Joseph Dean Reilly

Joseph Dean Reilly born May 7, 1921 in Janesville, Wisconsin passed away February 20, 2022 at the VA hospital in La Jolla, California. Joe was the son of Patrick and Nell (Meely) Reilly and grew up in Janesville Wisconsin.

At the age of 22, Joe enlisted in the Army as the US was to enter the war in Europe. Joe was assigned as a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division. In June 1944, Joe jumped into Normandy behind enemy lines near Utah beach. Joe continued to fight in Bastogne, Belgium at the Battle of the Bulge and survived a tough winter for which they were recognized as the “Battered Bastards of Bastogne.” Joe also participated in Operation Market Garden in Holland and operations in Germany. While Joe managed to fight in many dangerous battles, a guardian angel must have looked out for him keeping him safe.

World War II ended on May 7, 1945 on Joe’s 24th Birthday.

While on leave, Joe Married Eileen Campbell of Darwen, Lancashire, England. After the war, Joe and his bride settled back in Janesville and had three daughters; Anne, Micki and Toni.

Joe worked many manufacturing jobs as a machinist and retired from the Parker Pen company in 1986. Joe held the office of Secretary for the machinist Labor Union and is a long-standing member of the International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers Union. A strong advocate for worker’s rights.

Joe has been an active member of the Knights of Columbus since 1942 at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Janesville and remained an active member with the Guardian Angels Church in Santee regularly participating in the Fall Festival.

Joe moved to Santee California in 2002 after the death of his first wife and enjoyed traveling, gardening, golfing and projects in his workshop.

In 2003, Joe married Teresa B. Aylwin, and they enjoyed many trips together around the world on vacations. Joe was also active in his community serving in the Volunteer Service Patrol with the Santee Sheriff’s Department.

Joe joined the Greatest Generation Foundation and was an active WWII ambassador for the organization and an excellent speaker.

Joe participated in the 75th reunion of D-Day in Normandy in 2019 and was also recognized by the US President at the State of the union address in 2019.

Many attended Joe’s 100th Birthday Celebrations in May of 2021.

Joe is survived by his wife Teresa, her children Beatriz, Carlos and Gabriel and from his previous marriage; two daughters Micki and Toni, five grand-children and eight great-grandchildren.

A burial service will be held at 10:00 am on Monday March 14, 2022 at Mt Olivet Cemetery in Janesville, Wisconsin.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.elcajonmortuary.com for the Reilly family.