Michael Aloysius Reilly

Michael Aloysius Reilly went home to the Lord in the early morning of Thursday, June 6, 2024. “Morning has broken.” He was 77 years old. Mike was an extraordinarily loving husband, grandfather, father, brother, and friend to all that knew him. His heroic seven-year battle with cancer ended peacefully with him surrounded by his beloved wife and children. He leaves behind a legacy of boundless love, loyalty, honor, and generosity. He will be best remembered for his deep commitment to his faith and family, as well as his brave service in the Army, his love of all things Alabama football, and how he lived his life to the fullest every day.

Born December 29, 1946, Mike was the 7th son and 11th child of Ned and Clorinda (née Thornton) Reilly of Mobile, Alabama, who predeceased him. He is also predeceased by one sister and six brothers, Edward, Gerald, Terrence, Denis, Woody, and Tim (Linda). Mike was also preceded in death by loving in-laws, Hubert Floyd Findley and Geraldine Sharpless Findley. They will all be embracing him as he is accepted into the light of God’s Kingdom.

Mike is survived by his cherished wife of 55 years Julie Reilly (née Findley) and children, Matthew (Diane) Reilly, Amanda (Matlock) Schlumberger, Mary Castle (Dan) Dantzler, and Hugh (Brooks) Reilly. Boo’s pride and joy were his grandchildren Megan, Katherine, Samantha, Hudson, Carter, Findley “Finn”, Julia, Clare, Daphne, and Bridget “Bridgie”. Priority number one in his life was his family, including his brothers and sisters; Patricia “Sister Augusta” Reilly, Clorinda (Louis) Dudoussat, Toni (Ashton) Brock, Mary Ellen Reilly, Norma Reilly, Daniel (Kay) Reilly, and Mary (Richard) Marcet; and sister-in-law Mary Beth (Bill) Hart. Along with his immediate family, Uncle Mikey’s numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and all of his extended family and friends will miss his passion, charm, support, and goal-oriented refusal to accept mediocrity. Mike was blessed with a unique ability to “act tough,” but he treated all people he met in life as precious gifts, whose challenges he would gladly take on and help provide whatever care and support he could.

Mike received his early education in Mobile, Alabama at St. Mary’s parochial school, and then attended high school at McGill Institute. He distinguished himself as a star “secondary school” football player, regularly receiving Lineman of the Week honors from local Alabama newspapers. He was named the “Fastest Lineman in the State” by the Birmingham Herald newspaper and was a highly sought after recruit by colleges throughout the south, as well as the U.S. Army Military Academy at West Point. Ultimately, Mike fulfilled a lifelong dream when he was offered and accepted a full scholarship to play football for legendary Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant at the University of Alabama.

During college, he met the love of his life Julie on the beach of Gulf Shores, Alabama. She eventually decided to switch schools from Auburn University to the University of Alabama so they could be together. Mike’s academic and athletic career at Alabama was very successful. While earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce and Business Administration and participating in ROTC, he also was a three-year letterman, as a starting defensive lineman and linebacker. His position varied based on Coach Bryant’s assessment of the strength of their opponents each week, and how Mike could best help the team achieve success. Alabama’s defense during Mike’s career was considered the best in the nation. Mike’s team in 1966 was undefeated and considered a real contender for a National Championship, but a tie between two other major college programs muddied the water and deprived his team of a National Championship.

Mike and Julie were married in January of 1969, and they graduated together in the spring of 1969 from the University of Alabama. Upon graduation Mike was hired by Procter & Gamble as a sales representative; however, his start was deferred while he fulfilled his military service commitment to his country. Mike was elevated to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant of the Army in April of 1970. He completed his training in the Armor branch of the U.S. Army (Ft. Knox, Kentucky) and continued to be trained as an Army Combat Helicopter Pilot. (Ft. Rucker, Alabama and Mineral Wells, Texas) Through this training, Mike earned his Army Aviation Badge/Wings. Mike, Julie, and their first-born child Matthew were then assigned to Ft. Lewis, Washington, where he served as a Helicopter Transport Officer. In the spring of 1971, he was deployed overseas into combat at the Military Air Transport Depot in Long Binh Junction, South Vietnam. He operated as a Command Combat Helicopter Pilot for the 120th Aviation Company (“The Deans”), in the 145th Combat Aviation Battalion. Mike was awarded the Air Medal for meeting and exceeding the required combat flight hours during his time in Vietnam. After his service in Vietnam, Mike returned to the United States where he continued to serve in the U.S. Army Reserve Command. In 1975, he was promoted to the rank of Captain prior to the completion of his service commitment.

Mike continually advanced in his professional career with Procter & Gamble, working in multiple sales and management positions. Mike and his family spent time in Alabama, Texas, Georgia, and Ohio (at the corporate headquarters in Cincinnati). In 1987, Mike was asked to take over the sales management of a Procter & Gamble detergent manufacturing company in Istanbul, Turkey. He seized the opportunity to take his family on an international adventure, where they were able to see and experience many different cultures and parts of the world. Eventually, Mike and Julie returned to their chosen home in Atlanta, Georgia where Mike worked as the Southern Division Manager. In 2000, Mike retired from Procter & Gamble and became a wealth management consultant for two investment brokerage companies, Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley. Mike strove to help his clients prepare for retirement and used his skills in financial management to support his clients in achieving their goals for future financial stability.

While in Atlanta, he volunteered a significant amount of his time and financial expertise, serving as a financial consultant for his parish and the Archdiocese, along with various Catholic charities, hospitals, and fund-raising campaigns. As a special recognition for his charitable work and dedication, he was inducted as a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher.

Throughout his life, Mike made a lasting impact on the communities where he lived and he will be sorely missed by those who knew him. He maintained strong ties to friends and family throughout his courageous battle. The profound sadness is somewhat reconciled with knowledge of an end to his suffering and his new life of everlasting peace. Please join Mike’s family in praying to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, thanking Him for the gift of Mike and asking for comfort for his family and friends who will miss him every day until they see him again in Heaven.

A funeral mass will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church in Tampa, Florida on July 2, 2024 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the Reilly family encourages donations to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation or the American Cancer Society in Mike’s name.

PRAYER TO SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.