Peter was born October 8, 1937 in Chicago, Illinois to Francis and Helen O’Reilly. After graduating from Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Illinois, Peter attended The University of Notre Dame where he majored in business. After graduation, he was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. Peter was chosen to train as an aviator and when directed to list his top 3 aviation choices, he listed jets, jets and jets. He was ultimately assigned to pilot the A-4 Skyhawk with the VMA 224 Marine Attack Squadron where, among other things, he flew off aircraft carriers. Peter was stationed at Cherry Point, North Carolina where he met and married the love of his life, Bonnie Doyle in 1962.
After his term of service, Peter continued in the reserves and attended law school at De Paul University in Chicago where his sons Timothy and Christopher were born. The call of the skies proved to be more tempting though and Peter accepted a position as first officer with Pan American Airlines ultimately flying Boeing 747’s internationally. Peter and his family settled in Olympia, Washington in 1970 after daughter Sharon was born.
It was there that Peter was able to pursue many passions. He enjoyed cruising and racing his Tartan 42’ sailboat the Pandemonium in the Puget Sound and Canada. He competed in the Victoria-Maui International boat race and sailed the Caribbean and South Pacific. Peter also completed multiple marathons and triathlons and took up the game of golf which became a lifelong passion.
Peter retired in 1997 as a Boeing 777 captain with United Airlines, having travelled the world extensively for many years. Thereafter, he and Bonnie moved to Bend where Peter added horseback riding, search and rescue and mountain climbing to his resume. Peter enjoyed climbing South Sister with his Bouvier dog “Buckie” and summited Mt. Rainier with a good friend and his son Chris.
Peter and Bonnie purchased a winter home in Gold Canyon, AZ to be near their son Tim and enjoy sunshine and golf year-round. Peter made many friends in life. He was very proud of his family and never missed a chance to remind them of that fact. Peter’s infectious laugh never failed to put a smile on the face of anyone who heard it. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Peter was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Michael and John O’Reilly and his sister Alice Moore. Survivors include: his wife of 60 years, Bonnie, sons Tim (Terry) O’Reilly, and Chris (Cheryl) O’Reilly, daughter Sharon (Jake) Heth, grandchildren Caitlyn O’Reilly, Tyler O’Reilly, Teagan O’Reilly, Aislinn O’Reilly, Allison Heth and Brooke Heth.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mariposagardens.com for the O'Reilly family.
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